440 Automatic. What gears are you running?

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70Duster440 said:
I ran a 26" tire with 3.55 gears and it was okay - a little wound up at highway speeds but not too bad. Now I have 28" Nittos with 3.91's. Pretty noticeable difference and I like it but don't know if I'd want to spend a lot of time at highway speeds. 3.73 might be a good compromise for you but it's all very subjective.
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As I said... I have not driven it on the highway in the 3 years that I own it. All of the shows and events that I attend are all within 30 miles on local roads. So... knowing that and that I will always have a 28" tire... 3.91 or 3.73?
 
Happy with 3.55 in my 383 car with 3200 stall. Can run down the highway comfortably and around the country roads fine. 3.73 was very enticing though! I dropped from 4.56 and much happier. 275/60-15 drag radials.
 
1BAD72 said:
So, if I read this correctly, you like the 3.73 better with the shorter tire than the 28" tire. Since I'm staying with the same 28" tire size as you referenced would you recommend going with the 3.91? I'm assuming you already tried the 3.73 with a shorter tire and liked it better than the 3.73 with the 275/60-R15. Yes?
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The shorter tire with a 3.73 is a tire burner for sure but with the 275s it can cruise better.
 
thesiren74 said:
The shorter tire with a 3.73 is a tire burner for sure but with the 275s it can cruise better.
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Shredding a pair of 28" street tires is easy even with the 3.23's... I am basically looking for the around town "fun factor". Trying not to put in 3.73 gears and then wishing I had put in 3.91's. :icon_fU: I will probably be changing to a softer rear street radial. Still 28" though.
 
1969383S said:
Happy with 3.55 in my 383 car with 3200 stall. Can run down the highway comfortably and around the country roads fine. 3.73 was very enticing though! I dropped from 4.56 and much happier. 275/60-15 drag radials.
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I too swapped from 4.56 to 3.55s in the 440 Duster. The 4.56s were in it when I bought it and only made it around the block a few times... I’m running a 26.1 tire though...
Still can swap in the 4.56s for track days though. Really loving that about the 8-3/4.
 
junior636 said:
I have 325/50/15s, 727, mild 440, 4:10 gear, I'm about 3300 at 55mph-ish.
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Do you track the car? On the street, are you happy with the 4.10 or do you wish you could try a different gear? If so what gear would you like to try?
 
Red_Duster said:
I too swapped from 4.56 to 3.55s in the 440 Duster. The 4.56s were in it when I bought it and only made it around the block a few times... I’m running a 26.1 tire though...
Still can swap in the 4.56s for track days though. Really loving that about the 8-3/4.
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Are you happy with the 3.55 with 26" tire for around town or would you like to try a different gear? If so, which gear would you like to try for the street?
 
1BAD72 said:
Are you happy with the 3.55 with 26" tire for around town or would you like to try a different gear? If so, which gear would you like to try for the street?
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I will follow up with you next week. It made its maiden voyage to the gas station on Saturday, but I’m going to try and cruise/ put some miles on it this weekend and I’ll get back to you.
 
1BAD72 said:
Do you track the car? On the street, are you happy with the 4.10 or do you wish you could try a different gear? If so what gear would you like to try?
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I might go 3.91 but this car is new to me and I'm still sorting it out. I don't think it's too bad but i wouldn't ever get on the highway with it. Im currently dreaming of adding more power. It doesn't blow the tires off to bad but I'm on 325 et streets.
 
70Duster440 said:
I ran a 26" tire with 3.55 gears and it was okay - a little wound up at highway speeds but not too bad. Now I have 28" Nittos with 3.91's. Pretty noticeable difference and I like it but don't know if I'd want to spend a lot of time at highway speeds. 3.73 might be a good compromise for you but it's all very subjective.
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Hey 70 duster 440 wouldn't 28" tire and 3.91's be similiar to 26" tire and the 3.55's?
 
QuickDart360 said:
Hey 70 duster 440 wouldn't 28" tire and 3.91's be similiar to 26" tire and the 3.55's?
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According to the gear ratio calculator I used here: Gear Ratio Calculator a 3.79 ratio would have netted me the equivalent 3.55 gear ratio with the taller tire. Yes, close to 3.91, but a noticeable difference to me while driving. (255/50-16 to 325/50-15)
 
70Duster440 said:
According to the gear ratio calculator I used here: Gear Ratio Calculator a 3.79 ratio would have netted me the equivalent 3.55 gear ratio with the taller tire. Yes, close to 3.91, but a noticeable difference to me while driving. (255/50-16 to 325/50-15)
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295 60d 15`s/28.5 tall , w/ 3;73 , 3500-3800 convertor, behind a 440/505 . Wish my convertor was tighter .
 
So I asked 3 performance related auto shops here how much they charge to change the gears with me supplying the Motive gears, correct fluid and the install kit. All four shops were between 4 and 4.5 hours labor. I went to a 4th shop that I have used before for difficult stuff that I don't do or if it requires a lift (I'm getting old). They are a very reliable shop. They said they need the car a day and a half (!) and they charge 8 hours labor. I'm thinking that the last shop must be assuming axle bearing change, seals, etc. Do you automatically change out the bearings and seals? What kind of labor do you think for just the gear change assuming the bearings and seals are good?
 
There is more to setting up a gear than a simple R&R. I would say 5-6 hrs would be a fair rate. And yes I would change the inner axle seals and check the axle bearings.
 
Leave the 3.23 gears in it but put a 4.25 inch stroke crank in the engine. Then you'll have the perfect combination.
 
1BAD72 said:
So I asked 3 performance related auto shops here how much they charge to change the gears with me supplying the Motive gears, correct fluid and the install kit. All four shops were between 4 and 4.5 hours labor. I went to a 4th shop that I have used before for difficult stuff that I don't do or if it requires a lift (I'm getting old). They are a very reliable shop. They said they need the car a day and a half (!) and they charge 8 hours labor. I'm thinking that the last shop must be assuming axle bearing change, seals, etc. Do you automatically change out the bearings and seals? What kind of labor do you think for just the gear change assuming the bearings and seals are good?
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That is a lot of money for shop time. It might be cheaper for you to just buy another pig already loaded with the gears and differential that you want. Then you just do a remove and replace in your garage.
 
321s in a 8 1/4 behind a 470 auto with 275-60-15 Coops 73 duster Hooker fenderwells W/ Dynomax muffs to just in front of rear tires. It is Rude Loud and Scary but in a good way. Good combo for me buzzin down I-5 or around town.
 
Mild stroked 440. I have 28" tall m&h dot drag tires(bias ply) w/ 4:30's. Run on the street all the time. Ive even taking it on the New York State Thruway a few times. It is taching around 3500 at 55mph though.
 
Riff Raff said:
Mild stroked 440. I have 28" tall m&h dot drag tires(bias ply) w/ 4:30's. Run on the street all the time. Ive even taking it on the New York State Thruway a few times. It is taching around 3500 at 55mph though.
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Just reread this thread, who runs 55mph / more like 75-80 straight for the most part-------
 
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