Hey guys here is the deal. The local dragstrip allows 4.11gears in the stock class. I would like to have some put in before spring. But, I need to know what gearing I have now. Would anyone know? My car is a 1983 Camaro Berlinetta (ya, ya I know lol) with a 305V-8 and a 4speed auto with OD. In OD it seems like the RPMs are almost at 2,000 at 60mph. Whats everyone else running and what RPMs are you turning? This car will be driven on the road once in a while.

 

do 4.10s in the rear and get rid of that engine if u wanna compete in drag racing. That car doeshigh 16s on a good day. If its an auto get a 3,000 stall converter, 4.10s in the rear, exhaust and intake and you'll see a nice gain at the track.

 

I can tell you that you don't have 4:10's that's for sure. Check for a tag on the differantal cover or look for your RPO codes which will be ona sticker, maybe on the glove box or door jamb. As a last resort you can jack up the rear end, and rotate the rear tire one revolution while counting how many times the drive shaft turns. This give you an idea or what your rear gear ratio is. For example if the drive shaft turns 3 1/2 revolutions to the tires one, you have a 3.55:1 gear ratio.

 

The engine is a carbed305, would everything hook up if I was to put a carbed350 maybe 454 in there?

 

3.73's if your gonna have it as a dd imo

350 should just bolt in...i'm not sure about the computer, but I think it will work...

as for 454, you'd def need a new trans (or build the current one), suspension work, some motor mounts?, trans mounts, etc

 

4.11 gears with a 700R isn't that bad to drive on the street, and the low rear gear helps with the rpm drop of the 700R between gear changes. the 82-84 could be had with a 3 speed auto so gearing was generally very high. most had 2.73 or 3.08 gears with a few having 3.23 or 3.42....but very few got the 3.42 most i have seen had 3.08.....the thing to watch on the early third gens was the diff itself, they had a 7.5" rear with "c" clips and 26 spline and are pretty easy to break , the later 3rd gen got the 7.625 rear with 28 spline which is a little stronger , but not much.

 

If your looking in to dragging, and steping up to a bigger motor, your better off to due away with the 7.5 rear end, get your hands on an 8.5, or try to find a ford 9 inch thats already been worked on. The 9 bolt 7.5's are pretty strong also they could get the job done.

 

I've really been kicking around the idea of doing that 350 swap. However my thinking is if I'm going through the work of putting a 350 in there, why not go all out and sling in a 454? If I could get a 454 and tranny from a 2wd pickup that should work I would think. Then look for a rearend from an SS or Z28? Sound like it would work?

 

the same problem comes up . if the 454 is making BB style torque the 7.625 wull not live long. several companies make 12 bolt rears that bolt into the F-body and even more make 9" Fords that bolt it (but wants ford parts on their chevy?) i had a 12 bolt under the rear of a S10 (406 powered). i sold the truck and new owner put a 9" under it with almost the same gears (i had 4:11 he put in 4:10) and the truck was 2 tenths slower in the 1/8 mile cause the 9" eats more power (heavy ring gear)

 

Ford9" rearends are strong. This is my first car "toy", but I used to have a 1978 Ford Bronco. I had 8" of lift and 39"boggers on that thing. The 9" held up with that 400CI bigblock and the locker in the rearend. I always broke ujoints though.