Hi,

rebuilding my sons 69 camaro while he's in afghanistan. 454, 4 spd, ten bolt posi.

Car is geared way to low. unsure what it is, but this big block has PLENTY of power and the low gears are silly for this soon to be daily-driver.

What is the cheapest way to change the gearing (what parts/kits)? where would you get the parts? special tools required or is this something a backyard mechanic should dig into? is there a good thread discussing this? should I just take it to a trans shop?

thanks

frank

Note: I just swtched this car to the four spring rear, shocked at how tight it feels - almost like air shocks. but the orginal was worn-out and ended up gaining the little height I needed for tires.

 

jegs sells a complete kit with gears shims and everything or richmond both can be bought on jegs site. gears rnt the easiest thing to do in a 10 bolt can sometimes needs lots of shiming and getting it just right can be hard. if you never did it before id probably find a reputable shop to do it for you.

 

Well, I'm confused. I changed out what I thought was a 3.71 to a 3.36 (well, I'm sure the new gears are 3.36) My confusion: it's still really low geared! I takes 3000 to turn 62. It's a 454/4speed, 14 inch radial t/a tire. acts like it still needs another gear! I thought for sure the 3.36 would give it highway, but not even close. not much room for a bigger tire without changing suspension. (current stance of car if very nice)

my goal: cruise at 65/70 with 2500 (aprox)

3000 with this exhaust system is ridiculous, plus feels like the slowest car on the highway, a damn prius passed me! this bbc has plenty of power in the lower gears, I just don't feel like changing out the gearing again! just doesn't make sense, shouldn't the 4 spd have a 1:1 ratio for 4th gear, 3.36 should be enough to turn a reasonable rpm on the highway!

dazed and gearfused

 

What is the actual tire height?

 

If you didn't change the speedo gears in the trans, then your speedometer is way off and you're not going the speed you think you are.
From inside the cockpit, the relationship between the speedo and tach will still read the same, until you recalibrate the speedo gears.

 

thanks for responses. I'm ignoring speedo until gearing is straitened out. using my gps. plus, with highway speed avg here is 75. i'm the slowest guy on the road (but I look good) 3000 is just too much to only turn low 60s. 3.36 should be higher! don't know actual tire height, but it's tall and wide enough to scrape if I'm not careful! ( just normal 60's, on 14" rims, not low profile)

thanks again, not much to do but change it all out again...sigh. tranny being this low geared pisses me off! just too expensive to put in the 5th gear - which is what it really wants.

 

Tire diameter is a factor. 3.36 gears at 3000 rpm...
with 25" tall tires, your speed is 66 mph.
with 26" tall tires, your speed is 69 mph.
with 27" tall tires, your speed is 72 mph.

 

Wow, I know mine is way off too and I cant believe I never thought to use the GPS. I just had to wire in a lighter outlet and now I have to charge the tomtom. Thanks.