Ok, my brother and I fight all the time about gear ratio's. I tell him that if he put a 4.11 in his car that it would make him come out of the hole faster but he wont have the same top speed as with a 3.73. He seems to think that a 4.11 would make his hole shot faster[which it would]AND make his top speed faster. He isnt going to do any motor work so he will have the same HP. Some one please help me prove him wrong cause im gonna have him read the replies.

 

You're right. The lower the gears the more rpms you're turning, so you're cars top speed will be less. You will get out of the hole the majority of the time faster, but with 4:11s you might just sit and spin to where as with 3:73s you're traction will be better.

------------------
2 Tickets to game= $250
Gas= $20
Sitting 20ft. from MJ= Priceless
'86 IROC T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK HEADERS Hooker CatBack
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat, just switched to 180* b/c of winter coming and going to college in the mts.
3:73 Posi Rebuilt 700R4
B&M Megashifter, 5" Autometer Tach w/shift lite

 

Thank you Mr. shields.

 

Also, depending on your brother's set up, and you say it's stock, 4:11s could be a very bad idea. If the motor doesn't produce power at high rpms, he's gonna run out of rpms before the 1/4 mile line. This is especially true for stock TPIs. Best bet is to go with 3:42 or 3:73s.

[This message has been edited by Mark A Shields (edited December 09, 2001).]

 

no he has a Monte SS. Its a 86.
My iroc has a 3.45

 

I still say 4:11s are going to be overkill for that stock motor. But, if he plans future mods it won't be a bad idea. The 4:11s might be good for stop light racing, but not 1/4 on a stock motor.

 

4.11s are way too high for a stock l69 , no 2 ways about it , 1st gear will be pointless with 4.11s , the stock 3.73s in the ss are still a bit much i think , (would have been better with 3.42s) , my ss used to whine out in 1st gear way too quickly

 

Even though lots of people seem to think so, more does not equal better when it comes to gears. IMO 4.11 is a little overkill for a street car unless its around town only and never sees highway use. But not so bad if you have a double overdrive 6 speed

------------------
88 Camaro (The mighty LO3 SC!)
305TBI/700R4/2.73/125,XXX miles
10" Open Element and Flowmaster 80 seires
Bosch Platinum plugs
Double silicone Accel wires


Next up: headers and gears

 

Moved to Tranny and Drivetrain board......due to lack of Street racing content..