Quote:
Originally Posted by Excaliber
4into4, you make a good and valid point about the high rear gear, definitely adds to the picture here. My rear gear is the typical 3:31, not "to high" but still up there as it concerns a "hole shot" to 60 mph. BUT, I also have the close ratio top loader with a pretty high first gear ratio. The combination means 65 mph in FIRST GEAR, hardly a drag race setup. 
I would guess even with your 2.73 ratio when coupled with a lower first gear in the trans actually gives a lower overall ratio than I have! I can almost run third gear across the finish line, but shift into fourth right at the "back door". My calculated top speed is around 175 mph, maybe with a "little engine work" ( ) I could get there.
Low 13's sound about right for your setup, stock 302, even if you had lower gears. All though, I suspect the higher gears are actually HELPING not hurting as it tend to limit wheel spin. Some guys have run a faster ET by starting out in SECOND gear and avoiding first all together. This often results in severe clutch damage though...
My stock 302 Excalibur, with good rubber and ULTRA LOW gears ran a 14 second ET! How embarrasing is that. |
Embarrasing? I remember how happy I was back in the early 90's, to finally own a car ( IROC Camaro ) that ran a high 15 in the quarter ( my first run was 16.2 )
Just for the record, the 2.73 car stats were from a FFR that Car And Driver tested. Mine is 3.55, with a 2.95 first gear, and my 302 is now stroked to 331.You made a good point; the taller gears make it easier to control wheelspin. Sometimes, I think about changing to 3.23, or even 3.08 gears. There's always trade offs though. I have an aluminum flywheel, and fair amount of cam, so getting off the line smoothly would be harder with the taller gears.
This makes me want to go for a drive!