Is your 4speed an M-20 or 21? Makes a big difference when selecting rear gears. Also how much cam are you running? Reason I ask is I had a close box M-21 with a 2.20 first & a Comp Cams 284 Xtreme. This original setup came from the upper NW region of Wash State. Ran well on the back roads there. Wouldn't run worth a damn in suburban MD. Sluggish starting in first & spent most of the time in third. I had the tranny rebuilt to a 2.56 first & reduced the cam to a 274 while leaving the 3.73 in the rear. The car now performs well & is fun to drive in most conditions & is a great cruiser. Plenty of "snap" too. The hiway situ has already been discussed. It would seem to me that when you're discussing this stuff you've got to make a distinction between a 4speed & an automatic. They perform differently. Hiway rpms may be similar but cruisin characteristics are totally different. You still have to make your decision accordingly. Not trying to be confusing. Just something to think about. It's no fun to make the wrong decision because you didn't have all the opinions. Just thinking out loud as usual. Good Luck!!
Phil G. 65 SS
-----Original Message-----
From: Ryan Langstraat <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: The Chevelle Mailing List <[email protected]>
Sent: Thu, 1 Dec 2005 21:12:10 -0600
Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] Ring and Pinion
I think that Mike got it right too when he said "you really step in it now"
I think Clint also hit it right on the head when he said that "without O/D, gearing is a big compromise."
I had no idea that would generate so many posts!
That is why I asked the ring and pinion question in the first place. For the time being I am going to stick with the 4 speed tranny and was kind of looking for a gear ratio that was fun to drive AND realistic at the same time.
Thank you to all who responded. Before asking the question I was leaning towards the 3:73's but after reading the opinions and thinking about the use of my car, i believe I will go with something a little more driver friendly.
Once again, thanks for all the help, this list is great!
Ryan
PS- Dale, I checked your web page you suggested and it reconfirmed what I was thinking!
