Warning--Long post.

rspears, I found this calculator... Gear Calculator I read on another site my cruising rpm's should be between 1800 & 2100. Does that sound about right? If so, a Maverick rear end isn't going to work with the T5 I have. Does this sound about right? I got it off another website.

"Selecting the Proper Rear end Gear Ratio
RESOURCES:

Selecting a rear end gear ratio (ring & pinion set) to provide the desired highway cruising speed, 60-65 MPH, for a modern hot rod.

How:

A number of factors must be considered when selecting a rear end gear ratio (ring & pinion set). Tire diameter, transmission choice (with or without overdrive) and desired highway cruising speed.

Tire diameter is the first consideration because styling and available space within the wheel opening dictate the size of tire / wheel combination that will be chosen for the car. The choice of a direct-drive (1to1) or overdrive (usually 30%) transmission will determine drive shaft RPM at cruising speed. A highway cruising speed of 60-65 MPH is considered a good target speed

Engine RPM at cruising speed should be maintained between 1800 to 2100 RPM. Lower RPM at cruising speed will produce a vibration that is often mistaken for drive shaft imbalance. This vibration is actually caused in a typical V8 engine by acceleration of the piston on a downward power stroke that is only cancelled out by other cylinders doing the same in rapid succession. This only occurs when the engine is revving in excess of 1800 RPM. This vibration isn't noticeable when the engine is idling or accelerating through the gears but is often misdiagnosed as a drive shaft out of balance of out of phase.

The proper rear end gear ratio can be selected using the following simple formulas whether using a direct-drive (1to1) or overdrive (usually 30%) transmission."

There are more formula's in that post. I can post them if anyone is interested. But I just started punching numbers into the Gear Calculator I posted above.


So at this point I'm wondering what to do. While I was wondering around the salvage yard today, I realized there was a boat load of Chevy S10's. 15 as a matter of fact. So.......

Plan A-- I did some reading and now I'm thinking of using a S10 rear end. Preferably a GU6-3.42 gear ratio. Matching that up with the Camaro T5 I have.

Plan B-- If I stick with a Maverick rear end (which I haven't found yet), I will need a different T5 transmission.

So let me just think out loud here and ya'll tell me if this would work.
I came across a 1993 S10 W/T5. It was a V6 with a GU6 rear end. I ran the numbers through the calc. and came up with 2022 rpm's @70mph. Anyone have any idea how the S10 T5 would hold up with a mild sbc? Also would the bell housing match up to the V8?

Now the wild card in all of this is tire size. From reading on the web, I thought the only tire size that would fit a fully fendered Model A was a 15" front, Maybe a 16" rear. Anyone have an idea on the biggest tire I can fit in this car? I'm going with a Hiedt's Superide front end and Maverick or S10 rear. Worse case is I wait to get the front suspension installed then do a mock-up.