rear gear change

racer913 · 03-14-2012, 02:53 PM

I'm looking to chance the gears in 68 camaro 3300 lb car with a power glide with a 180 first gear and 30 inch tall tire right now car has 411 to 1 in it is it worth changing to 430 to 1 or will that little of gear change not make a difference

Geerhead55 · 03-14-2012, 11:09 PM

Tell us a little about the engine, if you would. Is it a big block or small block? How is it equipped, and how high do you plan on buzzing it across the finish line? Many Camaro stockers will run a 4:88 gear or thereabouts. The more info you supply, the better response from the gallery on here, you'll probably get in return.
Danny Durham

cad · 03-15-2012, 08:13 AM

And how is it performing today? 60', 1/4, mph...

racer913 · 03-15-2012, 04:38 PM

434 small block 148 149 60 foot and motor is just under 6000 in 1/4 mile I know spinning the motor to that low RPM makes life easy for motor but i'm looking to pick up some ET I figured you guys on here made all these changes and I'm just wondering if changing the gears is worth it or I'll just rev motor higher with little to no results
Thanks in advance for the help

racer913 · 03-15-2012, 04:46 PM

mid10 70s 124 mph in good weather

rustbucket79 · 03-15-2012, 11:18 PM

Assuming the powerband doesn't fall off a cliff above 6000 RPM, more gear will certainly help, provided it doesn't create a traction issue. It could likely benefit from 4.56's. With added gearing should come a little less converter slippage as well.

racer913 · 03-16-2012, 02:59 PM

thanks for the help

63corvette · 03-16-2012, 05:44 PM

Just from my experience:
My old car was a 434 SBC and made almost 850 HP
Powerglide with 1.76 gears
Car weighed 2400 lbs plus without driver
Used 16- 32 inch tires
I started with 4.86 gears and that was a little low as it crossed the quarter mile at 7600 to 7800 RPM
I changed it to 4.56 gears
That did not change the quarter mile ET times but did change the MPH by a few more MPH.
I used the same torque converter. Only change was the rear end gears.
With the 4.56 gears it crossed the quarter mile finish line at 7200 to 7400 and ran high 8 second et's at close to 150 MPH.
Just my experience.
Rick Cates

Geerhead55 · 03-17-2012, 01:37 AM

Rick,, I'm hoping that I don't go through much higher than 7200, since my car isn't tubbed and I don't have room for 32" tall tires and changing gears on a Dana 60 isn't like popping out a pumpkin on a 9 incher. I'll be a lot smarter in a few weeks. Take care.
Danny Durham

TinSoldier 3215 · 03-17-2012, 08:15 AM

We have a 400 and a 176 low gear with a 456 gear and the car weight is 3160. 1/8 times 6.52 at 104 6000 and 10.32 at 128.76 in 1/4 7200. you need to know the power band and how hard do you want to Buzz the motor? good luck!

03-14-2012, 02:53 PM	#1
racer913 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 69 Likes: 2 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	rear gear change I'm looking to chance the gears in 68 camaro 3300 lb car with a power glide with a 180 first gear and 30 inch tall tire right now car has 411 to 1 in it is it worth changing to 430 to 1 or will that little of gear change not make a difference

03-14-2012, 11:09 PM	#2
Geerhead55 VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tacoma, Washington Posts: 1,632 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: rear gear change Tell us a little about the engine, if you would. Is it a big block or small block? How is it equipped, and how high do you plan on buzzing it across the finish line? Many Camaro stockers will run a 4:88 gear or thereabouts. The more info you supply, the better response from the gallery on here, you'll probably get in return. Danny Durham

03-15-2012, 08:13 AM	#3
cad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 702 Likes: 202 Liked 91 Times in 51 Posts	Re: rear gear change And how is it performing today? 60', 1/4, mph...

03-15-2012, 04:38 PM	#4
racer913 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 69 Likes: 2 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: rear gear change 434 small block 148 149 60 foot and motor is just under 6000 in 1/4 mile I know spinning the motor to that low RPM makes life easy for motor but i'm looking to pick up some ET I figured you guys on here made all these changes and I'm just wondering if changing the gears is worth it or I'll just rev motor higher with little to no results Thanks in advance for the help

03-15-2012, 04:46 PM	#5
racer913 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 69 Likes: 2 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: rear gear change mid10 70s 124 mph in good weather

03-15-2012, 11:18 PM	#6
rustbucket79 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 45 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: rear gear change Assuming the powerband doesn't fall off a cliff above 6000 RPM, more gear will certainly help, provided it doesn't create a traction issue. It could likely benefit from 4.56's. With added gearing should come a little less converter slippage as well.

03-16-2012, 02:59 PM	#7
racer913 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 69 Likes: 2 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: rear gear change thanks for the help

03-16-2012, 05:44 PM	#8
63corvette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canyon, Tx Posts: 552 Likes: 128 Liked 358 Times in 103 Posts	Re: rear gear change Just from my experience: My old car was a 434 SBC and made almost 850 HP Powerglide with 1.76 gears Car weighed 2400 lbs plus without driver Used 16- 32 inch tires I started with 4.86 gears and that was a little low as it crossed the quarter mile at 7600 to 7800 RPM I changed it to 4.56 gears That did not change the quarter mile ET times but did change the MPH by a few more MPH. I used the same torque converter. Only change was the rear end gears. With the 4.56 gears it crossed the quarter mile finish line at 7200 to 7400 and ran high 8 second et's at close to 150 MPH. Just my experience. Rick Cates

03-17-2012, 01:37 AM	#9
Geerhead55 VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tacoma, Washington Posts: 1,632 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: rear gear change Rick,, I'm hoping that I don't go through much higher than 7200, since my car isn't tubbed and I don't have room for 32" tall tires and changing gears on a Dana 60 isn't like popping out a pumpkin on a 9 incher. I'll be a lot smarter in a few weeks. Take care. Danny Durham

03-17-2012, 08:15 AM	#10
TinSoldier 3215 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bulington, Ky Posts: 359 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: rear gear change We have a 400 and a 176 low gear with a 456 gear and the car weight is 3160. 1/8 times 6.52 at 104 6000 and 10.32 at 128.76 in 1/4 7200. you need to know the power band and how hard do you want to Buzz the motor? good luck!