stock 3.23's to ...?

[Leviathan1994]

I'm buying a new diff. and am most likely throwing different gears in. I was thinking about 3.42's, will this be a big improvement over stock? If not what would you recommend, I want decent fuel economy and be able to cruise the freeway without reving incredibly high. Thanks

[njspder]

3.42's will be noticable over stock but nothing dramatic. have you ever run you car at the track?
the ideal gear selection is to find aset that allows you to run all the way throw the power band in every gear taht you use.
this will prolly show you a pretty big gear set, like 4.56's or so to use the power band properly. that is more than most peopel are willing to run on the street. 4.10's and 3.73's may not be perfect, but they will get you a huge gain in bnoth around town fun and 1/4 mile performance without putting much if any hurt on you gas mileage.

later
tim

[V6Firebird94]

a 4.56 in a V6 Fbody...thats an over kill, u wont be able to go over 80(maybe not that slow but ur not gonna go that fast nemore top end) with somethin like that, 4.10 is as big as you should prolly go, but if u wanna stay streetable and still semi ok on gas go with a 3.73 it'll be alot more noticable then a 3.42 becuz a 3.42 isnt that big of step over a 3.23

[ April 03, 2004, 03:51 PM: Message edited by: V6Firebird94 ]

[Leviathan1994]

so it's between the 3.73's and the 3.42's... hmm im not sure, it'd be a bonus to find someone that is running the 3.73's

[OneQuickV6]

I just put in 3.73's a few weeks ago. Before I had 3.42's for ages, and 3.23's stock. I'd go for 3.73's and save the $ and labor of changing them twice. 3.73's are alot of fun, and you can still get good mileage with your 5 speed.

[Leviathan1994]

OneQuickV6... can you still take second gear to 45-50? or does it rev up too high?... and how short is first gear?

I'm kinda looking to improve my 3rd gear the most... doesn't get into the powerband quick enough...

thanks

[OneQuickV6]

yes, 2nd gear will take you to around 40-45...I haven't run them in the 1320 yet because of the weather, so I don't know the exact mph/rpm relations. When I jump on it hard, 1st is over pretty quick:) On the spray, I can see traction in 1st gear being an issue without slicks.

[Leviathan1994]

sounds like fun [img]smile.gif[/img] , thanks. I think these will help because i can usually beat almost anything up until 3rd gear... then my car kind of takes awhile to get up in the band... im hoping it doesn't destroy my 1st and 2nd gear performance tho, which is great with the current 3.23's.

[Leviathan1994]

i wish i could get a "happy medium" 3.55... or 3.6x