3.08 vs 3.55 1/4 times
06-01-2015, 07:37 AM
#1
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 632
3.08 vs 3.55 1/4 times
Hey guys, I'm a few months away from doing this, but I have pretty much made up my mind that I'm going to swap from the 3.08 gears to the 3.55's. I want something that has better acceleration, but I can still take it on the highway with. The majority of my driving is going 55-70MPH and I don't want to destroy my gas mileage either. I also am doing it to take it a little easier on the drive train.
I was curious if anybody actually has any before and after 1/4 mile times going from those two gears. I've done a few searches on the two gears, but I'm having trouble finding numbers and what was done to the car at the time. Just curious. Work is very slow today, and my mind wanders easily.
I was curious if anybody actually has any before and after 1/4 mile times going from those two gears. I've done a few searches on the two gears, but I'm having trouble finding numbers and what was done to the car at the time. Just curious. Work is very slow today, and my mind wanders easily.
Last edited by yurizx6r; 06-01-2015 at 07:39 AM.
06-01-2015, 12:18 PM
#2
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 5,061
My car came with 3:55 gears so I can't compare them with 3:08. But for my notch, they're the perfect gear for my power and weight. 1st gear is useless on street tires, and 2nd gear has that perfect spinning the tires acceleration that I love.
For strictly dragstrip, I'd probably get 3:73's because with the T5 and 26" tires I have to short shift 4th about 100' before the traps. Otherwise I'm bouncing off the rev limiter trying to pull out 3rd.
And the difference in cruising rpm between 3:55's and 3:73's is minimal. I don't remember your mod list or power level, but if your under 300, and still near stock weight, I'd say jump to 3:73's.
Don't fear the gear lol.
For strictly dragstrip, I'd probably get 3:73's because with the T5 and 26" tires I have to short shift 4th about 100' before the traps. Otherwise I'm bouncing off the rev limiter trying to pull out 3rd.
And the difference in cruising rpm between 3:55's and 3:73's is minimal. I don't remember your mod list or power level, but if your under 300, and still near stock weight, I'd say jump to 3:73's.
Don't fear the gear lol.
06-01-2015, 01:06 PM
#3
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 632
What kind and size of tires do you have?
In theory I should have around "400hp" to the crank, but who knows until I dyno it. (AFR 185cc heads, 331 stroker motor, w/ full exhaust trick flow intake, stage 4 comp cams camshaft, blah blah)
I currently have the 3.08's with Nitto 555's on that are 255/40R17's. Now I'm going to do the same tire for the street except 275's. What I'm feeling is that from idle to 3,000 rpms it feels close to stock (just more alive), but it's not a night and day difference like I was hoping. After 3,000/3,500 ish it's like it hits boost. To an extent it's normal, but I think my 3.08's are the culprit. I have a buddy who only has Edelbrock heads with a GT40P intake with a CAI, and he has 3.73 gears. His seems to spin out way easier and feels faster at the bottom end/mid range. I would certainly get him on top end, but off the start it feels like he would get me, and I'm like............nah.
I base this all off the 100% reliable "butt dyno." lol
Even the camshaft calls for a 3.55 minimum, so I think it's a good idea.
In theory I should have around "400hp" to the crank, but who knows until I dyno it. (AFR 185cc heads, 331 stroker motor, w/ full exhaust trick flow intake, stage 4 comp cams camshaft, blah blah)
I currently have the 3.08's with Nitto 555's on that are 255/40R17's. Now I'm going to do the same tire for the street except 275's. What I'm feeling is that from idle to 3,000 rpms it feels close to stock (just more alive), but it's not a night and day difference like I was hoping. After 3,000/3,500 ish it's like it hits boost. To an extent it's normal, but I think my 3.08's are the culprit. I have a buddy who only has Edelbrock heads with a GT40P intake with a CAI, and he has 3.73 gears. His seems to spin out way easier and feels faster at the bottom end/mid range. I would certainly get him on top end, but off the start it feels like he would get me, and I'm like............nah.
I base this all off the 100% reliable "butt dyno." lol
Even the camshaft calls for a 3.55 minimum, so I think it's a good idea.
Last edited by yurizx6r; 06-01-2015 at 01:08 PM.
06-01-2015, 01:25 PM
#4
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 5,061
OK, with that kind of power, and this is just my opinion, 3:55's would be perfect for mostly street. Strip, I'd still run 3:73's depending on tires, but I think you'll love 3:55's.
I'm running somekind of Continental brand tire, 255/35-17 in the rear.
I'm running somekind of Continental brand tire, 255/35-17 in the rear.
06-01-2015, 01:37 PM
#5
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 632
Oh the Continental "???'s," those are good I hear. lol Yeah I'm thinking the 3.55's will be the way to go because with that kind of power I'd probably have a harder time to control it on the street with anything shorter than that. 99.99999999999% I will be on the street/highway so I'm thinking that's the way to go.
