3.23, 3.55, or 3.73

[BAFRAID]

Building the third member for my 69 Super Bee, 727, 383 with mild build and wondering which gear ratio to go with? Original was a 3.23 sure grip. I’m wondering if a 3.55 or 3.73 would be more fun on the street and still allow me to hit the highway comfortably as well. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[JimCoronette]

It's a bit dependent on your tire size and cam rpm range.

Any plans to hit the highway without an OD transmission and you will probably like the 3.23 or 55s better.

This will help
https://spicerparts.com/calculators/engine-rpm-calculator

 

[69L48Z27]

The lower the gear, the more fun it is. Light to light anyway.

 

[vintage chromoly]

3.73

 

[dadsbee]

I'd stick with the 3.23's. Love my 2.94's... All depends who you want to impress, your tire supplier or the gal buying your fuel !

 

[BAFRAID]

It's a bit dependent on your tire size and cam rpm range.

Any plans to hit the highway without an OD transmission and you will probably like the 3.23 or 55s better.

This will help
https://spicerparts.com/calculators/engine-rpm-calculator

I don’t know much about cams but I know that I am running a purple cam.
Tire size is 205/70/14

 

[T2R9]

I like 3.23's with an auto and 3.55 with a 4-speed.

 

[Demonic]

You might find 3.73's a little rev happy for the highway.

 

[66Satellite47]

With the 14" tire, I'd say the 3.55 is a good compromise.

 

[JimCoronette]

I don’t know much about cams but I know that I am running a purple cam.
Tire size is 205/70/14

That's a 25.3" tire, relatively short. Go with 3.23

 

[vintage chromoly]

I agree. With a short tire, the 3.23 will be nice.

I have a 28” tall tire and run a 3.73 gear.

3000 @ 70 MPH. I like it like that.

 

[diesel_lv]

3.73 with Gearvendor o/d and 26.5 tire. 3k at 80 mph. Stick w 3.23 without o/d. It'll still smoke the tires. Mine did w stock 2bbl 383 on 2.94's w auto.

 

[Don Frelier]

Those tires are too small.

 

[BAFRAID]

What tires/size would you suggest? I bought these just based off of what was on it when I bought it

 

[Don Frelier]

On a 14 maybe 225/70 or 245/60

 

[MOPOWER871]

3:23 for hwy cruises 3:73 for launching with some drag radials. I need a gearvender overdrive is the way to go, best of both world.

 

[Photon440]

Now if you asked in the 80's, people would be telling you to go 4.10 or 4.56. I guess we've gotten used to slower engines on the highway.

 

[Cranky]

Oh geez....depends on how much highway driving you do vs in town. I like low ratios in town but if you are going to do lots of highway driving, go high! A 383 can buzz a bit so maybe a compromise might be a 3.73....? I ran a 3.91 on the highway and got crappy mileage with a 383 but did pretty good with a 2.94 as far as mileage went and the car had a great top end. Just depends on what you want to do and experimentation will tell you that.

 

[ord27]

vintage, I have the same setup. I wish that I had gone taller. 70mph at 3000 rpm, and less than 300 to a tank. But I do a lot of highway

 

[dadsbee]

Now if you asked in the 80's, people would be telling you to go 4.10 or 4.56. I guess we've gotten used to slower engines on the highway.

HA... I put the 2.94 in back in 1979. Cops still hate me... even had a couple friend me on FBook to ask why they couldn't catch me with their LTD's in 79, 80, 81! Still ran a 99MPH 1/4 at Luskville on Saturdays, but topped out on the highway at well over 160mph..