Thread: Top End

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Im looking for a viable ways to raise my top end. Im not totally sure where to start, but I was betting the trans is probly a good place to work. So any help would be appreciated. Ill list my set up below but im running a th 350 with a shift kit and hardened matalic gears. I dont know much about this topic which is why im coming to you guys for help, not sure if what I want can be done with my current trans or if a new trans is required and if so what type?

Im runnin a 350, bored .030 over, performer rpm intake, 2.02 heads, comp cam .490 lift, 286 int/236ex @ .050", 650 edelbrock thunderseries carb, msd 6al ignition with a 55k volt coil.

koo, im running a 3.73 rear end at the moment

im not sure how well it works in a 350 but in my last 5.0 mustang i had the no top end problem due to 4:11 gears out back. i put a main bearing girdle on down low, upgraded to a fluidamper vibration dampner, and put in stronger double spring valve springs to eliminate valve floating at high r.p.m. . im sure that the springs did all the extra work as far as getting me the extra rpm's but i still thought it was worth the money for the safety of the girdle and dampner. it wasnt a huge gain like a tranny might get you if its set up right, but if youre budget minded and dont run it balls to the wall all the time its not a bad set up. on the other hand if you could find a used tranny and torque convertor in good shape it might all be pretty close money wise.

Could some one explain a bit more about a OD unit?

A tranny swap is an option, but why not just change the rear gear? I had a 73 Mach 1 with an FMX auto and 2.55's. My dad kept saying that all I needed was some 3.90's or 4.11's, but I grew to like the 2.55's. Off the line; forget it- it would choke and puke. Stompin' it at 25 MPH would roast the tires on most surfaces. Top end was hell.

At the time, I traveled 20 miles each way to and from work every day, and lived out of town. It was usually 1:00 am when I got off work, and once I got past the one stoplight in the "town", I had another six miles to go before turning off of Rt 19 onto my sand road. I used to just fixate on the white stripes flying by me as the speedometer buried at 120. The speedo eventually broke, but I had it several times fast enough to where the front of the long hood would seem to sway back and forth slightly, feeling like the car was raising slightly at the extreme right and left sides. Dunno how fast it was, but it was well over the 120 mark, and quite possibly the closest sensation to flying I have experienced on the ground. Sixteen years later, it is still the fastest I have ever been. Looking back, I'm just glad I never met up with a wild pig or a deer.

Good luck,
Greg

There is a company called Gearvendors that makes overdirive unit that install on the back of your trans in place of the tailshaft. They are a bit on the spendy side (around $2500) but they are very well built, strong units. It is a planetary gear unit, I've had them on a couple of cars.