FLIPPINZ28

how does a gear make you faster i am going from a 3.23 to a 3.73 will i notice a diffrence in power and how much will i gain in an 1/8 mile thanks

boomcase

Gears do not add HP, they just get you going faster. Drive shafts turns 3.73 times to the tires 1 time of rotation. That gear change would be good for probable 1 to 2 tenths in the 1/4. I would spend my money on a torque converter and leave the 323s alone.

FLIPPINZ28

how much time is a tc good for like a 2500 stall

unvc92camarors

about .5 or so
results may vary

JohnOConghaile

[[B]Gears do not add HP, they just get you going faster. }

Now.....really this isnt true technically. Gearing down (higher numerically) increases torque, any time you have an effect on torque you effect horsepower since horsepower is a number which is a derivative of power (torque) over an amount of time or speed.

OldSStroker

More gear multiplies torque to the rear axle (tires). Torque to the tires is what accelerates your car. Well, actually torque divided by the tire's rolling radius to get a force at the tire contact patch. Force accelerates just about anything. F=ma

Example: 400 lb-ft torque at the flywheel x 3.00 trans ratio x 3.23 axle ratio = 3876 lb-ft at axle (with friction losses neglected for simplicity). Assume 12-3/4 inch rolling radius or 12.75/12 = 1.063 ft, you have 3876/1.063 or 3646 lbs of force at the tire patchs. Let's say your loaded up car weighs exactly 3646 lbs. That should geive you 1.00 g acceleration at that point if you have perfect traction, and no drag. (Simplified example, remember. )

Same conditions except 3.73 gear: 400 x 3.00 x 3.73 = 4476/1.06 or 4211 lbs. now 4211/3636 = 1.15 g's. or about a 15% increase.
That's the same ratio as 3.73/3.23.

Horsepower to the tires really doesn't change because the same gears that increase the torque decrease the rpm. Do the hp numbers at the rear wheels if you wish.


Now a lot more enters into acceleration performance, so you won't be 15% quicker. If you have adequate traction your 60 time might be better. Shift points will change and you might need one more shift in the 1/8th. That will cost you time, so there might be a couple of tenths or maybe not. "results may vary" is a very good comment. BTW, your speed in the 1/8th probably won't change much at all.

My $.02

OldSStroker

Always!