Alright, so my four speed toploader transmission has a close ratio as opposed to a wide ratio... So... what's the difference between the two (besides the number of teeth on the second gear). I know they made less of the trannys with close ratios, but is there a difference in performance between the two? Thanks!

 

i think close means youll take off faster and wide means a higher top end i might have it backwards.i do know most trucks use a wide for towing/hauling.

 

Close ratio is the higher performance toploader. Check toploader heaven or david kee transmission. Loads of info.

 

Keep it close ratio! Much more fun to drive.

 

The biggest difference between the two is the first gear ratio. The wide ratio has a lower first gear that gives you more grunt off the line. Second and third gear are pretty evenly spread between first and fourth. A close ratio has a higher first gear with second and third pretty close together and then a larger gap to fourth. I have used both with a small block and 3.55 rear gears and I like the wide ratio for the low first gear.

 

The biggest difference is the gap between 1st and 2nd, which results in a bigger drop in revs with the wide ratio. But that isn't particularly important in street driving. It's an entirely different story in road-racing or perhaps autocross where the use of 1st gear can be for more than just getting it rolling. Might be useful at the strip under certain conditions (if you're not using 4th at all, or if you're running trap speeds only a little more than double what 1st is good for at redline come to mind), but you'll need a deeper axle gear to make it work in this application.


Norm

 

1st, 2nd, and 3rd are different. Close is better for road racing, while wide is better for the street as it allows you to run a more conservative gear and still get good grunt off the line.

Close (2.32, 1.69, 1.29, 1.00)
Wide (2.78, 1.93, 1.36, 1.00)

 

Nice, thanks! Can't wait to get the tranny back together!