Since I use the V6 T5 (4.03, 2.37, 1.49 , 1.00, 0.76) and a 3.42 rear, its just way too much gearing. So swapping that rear for 2.77 posi should balance those tranny gears out i think. I'll get past 27mph in first gear and 50mph in second,right? And if my cruising rpm was 2500@70mph, how much lower might it be with the 2.77?

 

Get a V8 T5. The ratio spread on the V6 T5 sucks also.

 

I'm not a fan of 1st gear either, but I don't know how well a 2.8L pull a 5th with a 2.77 gear...

 

Its a 5.8L. Sure I could spend a couple hundred on a rebuilt V8 T5 and still use my 3.42 peg leg. Or for less than $200 get 2.77 posi to solve it. And I think my tranny only has like 20K miles on the rebuild. But what I expect to happen with the new rear is correct?

 

With a 2.77 gear that drop into 2nd would be pretty bad wouldent it? i htink i would just go with spending your money on a good v-8 t-5 and sticking with the peg leg for now untill you get some more money if you put that 2.77 in i think overall youll lose alot of your performance

 

Doh, didn't realize. I don't like it with my 3.4, I can't imagine some actualy power behind it. 2.77.. I have no idea, sounds interesting.


-Bud

 

Not really. You're only seeing "1st gear V6 T5 / 2.77 rear = 1st gear V8 T5 / 3.42 rear" and similar for 5th.

The wide ratio gearset of the V6 T5 is not any too great, and the trans. itself is weaker.
I've borrowed a friends V6 S10 lately & have done a few T5 rebuilds / swaps and can say that. If you've ever driven a big truck with a wide ratio trans. (granny gear) you can relate.

Quit trying to bandaid one crappy part (V6 T5) with a crappier one (2.77 ratio) because you won't be happy with it.

Installing parts because they have a price advantage or a posi is like using coupons. If you wouldn't have installed or bought it otherwise, it's not worth doing / buying.

 

I never thought about that drop into second. Im not gonna keep this car for long so thats why Im "using coupons". I can accept a huge rpm drop when going into second since I will actually be able to launch the car in 1st this time. Whenever I took it to the track last year I literaly had to just roll off the line. That was adding on at least .50 sec to my time. As long as I can do a decent launch I will be happy.

 

How about just not using 1st gear?

Looking at your second gear:
2.37 * 3.42= an effective ratio of 8.1:1. Not optimal, I like to see around 11:1 but not that bad either.

Now look at that rear coupled to a TH-350.
2.52*3.42= 8.6:1
Granted you won't be able to take into account any torque multiplication and stall speed that is associated with a torque convertor but you do have a clutch.

 

I often didnt use 1st gear on the street or at the track. I never got too good of a launch doing that. Using that V6 T5 and the 2.77 would put 1st at 11.361 right?

 

Yeah you would have an effective 11.1 : 1 ratio in first but then you drop to an effective 6.56 : 1 in second

Just looking at the gear ratios you gave for the tranny using this formula:


You can see that the percentage drop from first to second is 41.1%.

that would mean that if you shift at 6,000 your recovery RPM would be ~3500

An Ideal drop would be 25% or 6000 shift rpm to a recovery rpm of 4500.

One major problem is the strength of the unit. Most generally high gear multiplication means lower strength. So you are gonna have to watch your launch and the total torque you put through that unit.

My advice would be to live with what you have since you said you will not have this car for a long time.
If you decide to keep the car, get the V-8 T5.

Either way, it is your car, have fun with it.

 

So what would it be like if I put a 700r4 in with the 3.42 rear? I didnt feel like doing a tranny swap but I have all the necessary components for that swap

 

The 700R4 has the following ratios
3.06
1.63
1.00
.70

so 3.06-1.63 =1.43 1.43/3.06=~47% drop

Same problem exists. (if not worse)

Stick with what you have, take off in second, or change to a V-8 T5. Either way enjoy it-- drive it like you stole it

 

I can now honestly say that I heard someone talking about lowering the rear end ratio to increase performance.

What everyone here is saying is 100% correct. You have to consider overall gearing, not just 1st gear and 5th gear. I love my T56 with 3.73s. Not because it has great highway cruise RPM, but because it has close, consistent ratios from 1st through 5th. At the track it only sees 1st through 4th anyway. It's a great trans that makes the car very enjoyable to drive.

I would keep the 3.42. If you're going to sell the car then don't spend any more money on it. Let the next guy change parts if he isn't happy with it.

If you plan to keep it swap to a V8 T5, and add a Torsen posi to the rear. That'll get you a well balanced car that's a blast to drive for the least amount of cash outlay.

 

i got a manual t-5 with 2.77 and i hate them great on the highway but **** in town. im at 1,400 rpm @ 60! it sucks

 

Ill see what its like with 3.42 in. But if 1st gear is still completely useless without slicks and peak power past 5000rpm, Im gonna put that 2.77 in.