3.73:1 with a TH350?

[Evolution1980]

I didnt realize how cheap these transmissions are compared to what I expected. They range from $895-$1,325. I cant decide between a Level 1 or 2 yet, because Im not quite sure how crazy Im going to go with the motor. I think Im going to go ahead and put the 3.73s in for now. Then sometime during the summer I should have decided on where to go with the motor, and Ill just get the 2004r tranny to match the HP.

Buy more than ya need... then you don't have to be concerned when your hunger for mo' power grows... I bought my trans to handle more power than I have right now. But next year or so...I'll be glad I got the beefier trans! (I almost said "beefier tranny", but that's just too ummm...'weird' :L :L)

 

[80VetteL82]

It probably would/might, but matting-the-skinny, waiting for the transmission to un-lock the converter, down-shift into 3rd WITH lock-up re-applied, then wait for the converter to un-lock AGAIN, is a joke:
until I get onto a 4-lane, open-road, I usually leave it in 3rd Gear, especially in my neighborhood, in-town driving, and even in parking-lots.....

With the .7:1 OD, even 3.73 gears result in an effective ratio of 2.61:1, a gear ratio usually reserved for the diesels of the early-'80s, so rather-than 'putt-around' in OD, I pull it into 3rd, and the car has more 'omphh' on-tap, and feels more-like my Z28 that has 4.11s.....


It's probably just a 'preference'-thing, but I like a car with gear.....

Im trying to keep up with you guys here lol. Alright, so you put it in 3 instead of D around town so OD doesnt kill your acceleration? But wouldnt OD not even be on while driving around town?

When does OD kick in?

I think I might understand this all better if I knew how OD worked.

 

[kiwi vet]

Always Learning

Hey People

Good thread and I dont mean to hijack but, Question in the same vein - I have a 700r4 in the L81 with stock gearing (2.78) and 255/60/15's on the rear.
Off the mark - "SLOOOOOOOOOWWWWW" is the word of the day!

So what is the best rear gear number for the 700r in your experiances?
Not so concerned with top end, general limit here 6o mph anyway, but would like it quickish to say 100 - 110mph.

Grant

 

[Glensgages]

Im trying to keep up with you guys here lol. Alright, so you put it in 3 instead of D around town so OD doesnt kill your acceleration? But wouldnt OD not even be on while driving around town?

When does OD kick in?

I think I might understand this all better if I knew how OD worked.

My car shifts into OD around 30-35MPH (maybe lower? ), which puts the RPM at 1000-1200, and the car 'lugs-and-chugs' at that engine-speed, especially since everything around here is cut into a hill-side, or carved from a mountain.

- I have a 700r4 in the L81 with stock gearing (2.78) and 255/60/15's on the rear.
Off the mark - "SLOOOOOOOOOWWWWW" is the word of the day!

So what is the best rear gear number for the 700r in your experiances?
Not so concerned with top end, general limit here 6o mph anyway, but would like it quickish to say 100 - 110mph

Before the gear-change, I had the same combination in my '82 (700-r4 & 2.87s ), and it was more like a CHEvette than a CORvette, as-for off-the-line preformance:
with 3.73s & the 700-r4, I turn 2000 RPM @ 60 MPH, 2700 RPM @ 80 MPH, and all-around drivability is more to my personal-liking.

I have gotten mileage figures of 17 MPG+ over a 2-day, 440 ride, covering Interstate, city, and 2-lane/back-road driving, so the gear swap didn't kill all effeciency (it had received 23+ MPG with the 2.87s on a 200+ mile, highway-only cruise )

 

[80VetteL82]

My car shifts into OD around 30-35MPH (maybe lower? ), which puts the RPM at 1000-1200, and the car 'lugs-and-chugs' at that engine-speed, especially since everything around here is cut into a hill-side, or carved from a mountain.

How come your OD kicks in so low? They dont all kick in that soon do they?

 

[Glensgages]

How come your OD kicks in so low? They dont all kick in that soon do they?

Don't have any idea, and since this drive-train will soon depart this earth, I'm not spending anytime finding-out, either:
all-I-know is that it is very-uncomfortable to cruise-around in (you can IMAGINE what it was like with the 2.87 gears ), and is a major reason I've decided to begin racing the car with a more 'traditional' type of motor/transmission.....

'Someday', we'll get a nice C5 for cruising the streets.....

 

[Evolution1980]

How come your OD kicks in so low? They dont all kick in that soon do they?

No, they don't. As I stated above, mine kicks in around 50mph. From my understanding of the 200/700R4 transmissions, shift points are essentially controlled by the TV cable setup. That's why it's so important to have them adjusted correctly on the those transmissions. Otherwise, the transmissions can burn up... or so it's said...

 

[80VetteL82]

No, they don't. As I stated above, mine kicks in around 50mph. From my understanding of the 200/700R4 transmissions, shift points are essentially controlled by the TV cable setup. That's why it's so important to have them adjusted correctly on the those transmissions. Otherwise, the transmissions can burn up... or so it's said...

So once I install it I should bring it to a local trany shop and have them adjust it? What is the TV cable?

 

[Evolution1980]

So once I install it I should bring it to a local trany shop and have them adjust it? What is the TV cable?

:L Good question! Not a simple answer, at least not from me. If you already have a 200/700R4 transmission, then you already have the cable setup. You can't run without it. That would be like having a manual transmission without a stick coming out of it.

I posted two links in this thread here. Check 'em. It's the same thread that I posted the pics of the RPM -vs- Speed.

 

[80VetteL82]

Alright I ordered the 3.70 rearend today, along with new yokes, mounting bushings, gasket etc....Ill let you guys know how I like it once I get it in. Thanks again for the input.

80VetteL82
:W

 

[wallyknoch]

I have currently two cars with modified turbo 400`s and a 3500 stall converter in both. One a 427 L72 piece which is coupled to a 4.11, and the other a 454 LS7 driving through a 4.56. I love them both and have no intentions to change either one. I fact my 62 FI piece is also a short gear with a 4.56 in that. I have all of them geared right where I want. Dont worry about the RPM`s unless it`s a gas problem. Those Vette engines can take it and seem to thrive on high R`s.

 

[80VetteL82]

Hey thanks for all your input guys. I got the new 3.70 rear end delivered yesterday, and will be putting it in next Tuesday. Ill let you know how I like it. Heres the new one:

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Again thanks for your helpful input,
Kevin

 

[TJay]

That should give you many years of trouble free driving. Enjoy the new 3:70 gears.

 

[80VetteL82]

AWESOME! I love the difference, much faster from a stop and rolling. I havent noticed a significant drop in gas mileage either. I did notice that it gets into 3rd realllllly quick now, so Im definitely staying away from the highway. Thanks for the advice, definitely a good choice!

80VetteL82

 

[Glensgages]

"Smoke-'em if ya got-'em!!!!!"