Thread: Is there a way to estimate how much a gearing change will change acceleration?

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On my road car, I'm debating going from 2.47 to 2.88:1 rear end (4 speeds, no overdrive), but I'm wondering if it's even worth the trouble. Is there a way to estimate by how much it will change acceleration? Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I posted here thinking in terms of 1/4 mile trap times.

If your interest lies in 1/4 times---go to a 4:88

Well see, 1 it's my road car, but to see if it's worth the trouble I wonder how much it would change my 1/4 mile. 2 my options are limited - if I want to maintain ABS and pay only a few hundred dollars for the diff my only choices are 2.24 (no thanks), 2.47 (in the car), and 2.88. If I'm willing to ditch the ABS (I'm not) that opens me to 3.07 and 3.46. Otherwise, I can maintain my ABS, and get whatever gearing I want...for $3500. This, ladies and gentlemen, is why I don't recommended making an old Mercedes your project road car.

it really probly isn't worth the effort as the speed or et won't be much to write home about---shine it up and take it to shows--you can buy a mustang for less than 3500 that can run some decent numbers

I agree, the difference won't be worth the work of swapping it. It ain't gonna be a screamer with that tall a ratio anyway.

Originally Posted by R Pope

I agree, the difference won't be worth the work of swapping it. It ain't gonna be a screamer with that tall a ratio anyway.

Well, I haven't been to an o-fficial track, but I ran against a friend that ran a 14.2 second 1/4, and I'm quite a bit faster than he is. If going from 2.47 to 2.88 will buy me 0.5second I'd say it's worth it. Will it?

here's a calculator, punch your data in and find out....

http://kowboy1.bananaman.com/xycool/dragperf.html

If I had $3500 to spend, I'd be thinkin' blower, not gears.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

If I had $3500 to spend, I'd be thinkin' blower, not gears.

To avoid confusion, that's why I'm thinkin 2.88 - I can get a 2.88 for $100 and maintain my ABS. Anything else I want to do and keep my ABS (unless I want 2.24 gears) is $3500, which is why I'm only asking about 2.88.