I have an '87 Coupe with the 2.8 Automatic. It is completely factory and I want to put a set of gears in it. I wanted to know what my current ratio is, how many spline axels(teeth?) that it has, etc., so I know what sets will fit in my car, I am currently looking at a set of 3.42 gears on eBay, but don't know if they will fit or not.

 

Its definitely 26 spline, but ratio is hard to guess. What are your RPM's going down the freeway at 70 MPH?

 

I don't know..... I'm done driving the car for the season, so I guess I won't know for awhile. Any chance you could just tell me what rpm's they should be for a 2.73 and a 3.23? Also what size in inches in the ring gear?

 

According to the Tech section, you already have 3.42's..........

 

you most likely have 3.42 s already. most of the 2.8s have 3.42s

 

Supposing it is a 3.42, will 3.73's make a noticeable difference? My problem is that when I am at highway speeds and drop the hammer, my car doesn't shift out of 2nd gear. It shifts at WOT at 5500 rpm, but it doesn't pick up speed fast at all, it just feels identical to the tranny slipping, when in actuality it is just that the motor doesn't have enough *** to accelerate the car very much, the rpm's just keep climbing. I'm hoping with a lower set of gears it will still pick up speed faster and by the time it feels like it is slipping, I'm already flying. I tried to pass a bunch of kids in a Cavalier the other day and they accelerated, I couldn't get around them!!!!!! I cannot be having that! Please help!

 

sounds like you need a new servo or a shift kit. You'll feel a difference but it won't be much. 3.73s might be too steep for your car.

 

3.73's will be too steep for a V6 car. Besides, lower gears will help you more at off the line type speeds, not cruising at 65. To get some movement out of the car at higher speeds, thats all motor. 3.42's are as good as it's gonna get on your car. Save your money and get some N2O. Hit that and the Cavalier won't know what the hell happened!

 

My buddies 2.8 would cook the tires off it easy as pie but she was a dog on the highway. I don't think you are the only one having a prob. It is a lot of car for a smaller motor to pull along.

 

purpleworm--i was afraid of that.... I have had people drive the car and say that it is driving normal. Then today, the brakes went out on my winter car, a four door celebrity with a 2.8, so i had to change my insurance policy to put insurance on the camro and off the celebrity till i get time to fix it....it's cheaper to insure the camaro on the road then the celebrity!!!!! that told me something right there. thanks to everyone who responded