Thread: Gear ratios

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This may not the be correct forum for this, but with all the very knowledgible people the hang out here , I thought I'd ask.

What would be a good rear end ratio for my 65 Studebaker Commander that I am building a mid 300hp 383 for. It has a 3 speed automatic that I will assume for the moment is 1 to 1 final ration (will verify soon). I currently have a 3.31 gear and am upgrading the rear end to twin traction. I'm talking with a guy who has a 4.09 and a 4.27. Wheels and tires will be upgraded soon also. What think ye?

Originally posted by dcoffield
This may not the be correct forum for this, but with all the very knowledgible people the hang out here , I thought I'd ask.

What would be a good rear end ratio for my 65 Studebaker Commander that I am building a mid 300hp 383 for. It has a 3 speed automatic that I will assume for the moment is 1 to 1 final ration (will verify soon). I currently have a 3.31 gear and am upgrading the rear end to twin traction. I'm talking with a guy who has a 4.09 and a 4.27. Wheels and tires will be upgraded soon also. What think ye?

.WHAT IS YOUR TIRE SIZE?WHAT DOES THE CAM MAKER SAY FOR A GEAR?IT REALLY DEPENDS IF THIS IS A DAILY DRIVER OR A WEEKEND WARRIOR.ARE YOU GOING DRAG RACING?IN THE 1/8 OR THE 1/4?

Right now it has some odd metric tire my dad got a good deal on. I will soon be replacing the rims to accomodate a disk brake upgrade to the front, so wheel and tire size is up in the air at the moment. They are 15in rims now.

Cam will probably be Comp 270H and used mostly as weekend warrior with a little daily driver if I end up putting aircond in.

Originally posted by dcoffield
Right now it has some odd metric tire my dad got a good deal on. I will soon be replacing the rims to accomodate a disk brake upgrade to the front, so wheel and tire size is up in the air at the moment. They are 15in rims now.

Cam will probably be Comp 270H and used mostly as weekend warrior with a little daily driver if I end up putting aircond in.

I WOULD TRY A 3.73. GEAR.

I agree with Erik. With a 1:1 trans gear and a 28" tire, 3.73:1 is a good compromise between acceleration and cruise.

not to steal his post, but i was also wondering on gear ratio's, what would a 31 inch tire make a 4.56 gear ratio?

thanx,
david

Originally posted by daveid
not to steal his post, but i was also wondering on gear ratio's, what would a 31 inch tire make a 4.56 gear ratio?

thanx,
david

THIS WOULD GIVE YOU A CRUISE SPEED OF ABOUT 2,969 R.P.M.'S AT 60 M.P.H.

Well, if I can use a 4.09, I can get the twin traction and gear set relatively cheap. I don't plan on doing any traveling with it, maybe an hour down to Woodward every year. If I used the 4.09 can I get a little large tire to make up for some of it? or is that a bad idea? I'm told there are different twin traction units for 3.92 and up, so if I go with 3.73 I'll have to keep looking.

"can I get a little large tire to make up for some of it?"

yes.

"or is that a bad idea?"

no, not necessarily. go for it!!