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Gear Selection

6

69_Charger

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My winter project is to change the gears in my '69 Charger and I was looking for a little input. I mainly drive my car around town but do hop on the expressway to go to a few shows and drive to work occasionally during the summer. I'm debating between a 3.23 and 3.55 gears for my automatic 383 Charger. The car currently has 2.76 gears and only chirps a little when you get on it at stoplights. Needless to say I'm looking for a little more of jump at the lights but able to take it on the expressway here and there. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Interested to hear the responses to this as well, as I'm planning the same with tax returns on my mild 440.
 
From what I've heard 3.55 can get a little high in the RPM on freeways but just occasionally shouldn't be a problem. If you do end up going with 3.23 gears let me know what center section you have I may have a set of gears for ya.
 
I've had 3:73's, 4:10's and 4:56's all with a 28/12.50 tire and automatic trans. 3:73's would turn 3300 and the 4:10's would turn 4000 rpm @ 65 mph. I wouldnt even bother trying my 4:56's on the highway.
 
I ran 3.91's in my cars for quite a while but realistically 3.55's would be my choice and that's what I'm installing now. I was spinning about 3500 RPM at 60 mph before. I want to calm that down a bit but not give up all my low end. Good compermise.
 
I think the 3.23 is the best dual purpose gear. 3.55 is also good if you are looking for more 1/4 mile performance but if you drive 70 and have short tires and have anything louder than a stock exhaust you will wish you had ear plugs. Even a long trip with 3.23's can wear on you if you have a loud exhaust. My 68 Mustang 302 with 3.0's and small turbo muffs got to me after 500 miles of non stop driving.
 
That's some good advice guys, thank you. I think I'll defenitely stick with 3.55's then until I either get overdrive or manual trans and then go from there.
 
my 70 road runner also has a 383 with an automatic. the gears i have in there are 3:55. i have 15 inch wheels and the tire diameter is 27 inches. it will light 'em up and it LOVES the highway....3800 RPM at 80mph if my tach is accurate (tic-toc-tach). i think the 3:55's are a good all around gear. the previous owner had 3:91 in there and said it SCREAMED at 60 mph . this car aint no race car but i cant believe how good this thing runs and the gas mileage is unreal. if i be nice to it i get about 18 miles to the gallon !.....just food for thot!
 
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I,m runnin 3.55 in my car...Love the gears...Also have a set of 4.10s...Now the 4.10s are too much for highway gears...
Petty Blue 67 gTx
 
Thanks everyone. I'm going to start my search for some 3.55 gears and be ready for the spring months.
 
I have 3.23's in my 68 super bee, 383 4 sp, It's goes ok but kinda dogs it till it hits around 3500 rpm...great gears for the highway, but you lose alot at the bottom end, pretty much only chirps the tires from a stop with those gears
 
I have 3.23s in my old 64 Belvedere with a Tflite and I'm really happy with the ratio. Sure, I could light em up a little easier with 3.55s but it is sure nice to cruise down the freeway at 70+ without the extra noise and poor mileage.
 
Bones Jackson said:
I've had 3:73's, 4:10's and 4:56's all with a 28/12.50 tire and automatic trans. 3:73's would turn 3300 and the 4:10's would turn 4000 rpm @ 65 mph. I wouldnt even bother trying my 4:56's on the highway.
Click to expand...
4000 @ 6500 sounds kinda high with 28" tires. Have you checked your tac? What stall converter are you running? Even a converter with a bit less than 88% efficiency should have you closer to 3600....
 
first off let me say, this is an interesting subject. i just went through it, X2. 2 seperate cars. i have not been back in this stuff for a long time. i have had 4-5 cars yrs ago with 4:11-4:10 ratios with 4 speeds mostly and what i remember is 60 mph @ 32-3400 rpm. my choice would be 3:55, with no over drive. with over drive, i put 3:90 and the coronet runs 50 mph @ 19-2100 rpm. thats all i can say about thaaat. rick
 
440. 3:54 Dana. Tremec TKO 5. Smolder 'em in 1 and 2. 2150 RPM @ 70 MPH in 5th. Or consider gear-vendor. Best of both. Hard to find a happy medium.
 
Dennis H said:
440. 3:54 Dana. Tremec TKO 5. Smolder 'em in 1 and 2. 2150 RPM @ 70 MPH in 5th. Or consider gear-vendor. Best of both. Hard to find a happy medium.
Click to expand...

i have the tremec with 3:90. i lite em up.:headbang:
 
440/493 RR I have stock 3:55's in my 8-3/4 sure grip with 14" wheels I turn around 3200 at 70 mph it is nice seems like it's a lot when you first start driving on the freeway especially if your not used to it lol 20 years for me ;) but wow what a fun time to romp on it at 70 and take to 120 in a flash lol good times ..

Good thing about 3:55's is you can do great burnouts and get good 2nd gear romps on the street Hell I have chirped 2nd and 3rd gear with them in my car oops shouldn't have said that don't listen kids!
 
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