Tell me about trans gear ratios

[fcm42000]

I am confused about something, why do people talk badly about the 833od gear ratios and say good things about the 4l60s gear ratios when they are about the same thing. Why do people put the lower gear in their 904(with good results) when people say the gear ratios should be closer together.

904s and 727s are KIND OF like a the first 3 gears of a 833od, and people enjoy those cars. Someone literally told me if I put the 833 od in my car I wouldnt enjoy it. Does this really make sense?

I am not asking this to defend the 833od, I am just wondering if an obsession of transmission gear ratios really is just a wast of time. Please don't respond with a comment on its strength, not the subject.

Maybe people just need to fill time in their day or just need something to buy. I also don't understand how guys can spend about 5 grand on a coil over suspension when these cars were successfully raced with torsion bar suspension.

Who knows, my theory is some people just want to analyze the crap out of things so when they spend their money they feel justified.

-frank

 

['64 Cuda]

Not sure about the ratios in the other transmissions. I think there are two problems people seem to have with the OD 833. First, the gear ratio spread is a bit wide. As you shift through the gears the RPM of the engine will drop quite a bit. Better for an engine with a broad flat torque band. An engine with a really peaky torque curve won't work as well with it because it will fall out of its torque range with each shift. The second problem with the OD trans is that when it is in 4th gear (overdrive) power is going through the countershaft & then returning to the output shaft to leave the transmission. On most manual transmissions power goes straight through the mainshaft to the output shaft to exit the transmission. The way the OD 833 is built causes the power to put a heavy "side load" on the case since the power isn't going straight through. It's a weak point. There's a good explanation of the OD transmission at http://www.slantsix.org/articles/4-speeds/ODA833fourspeed1.htm

 

[fcm42000]

I dont think you read what i wrote

 

[67Dart273]

Just some general ramblings from the nearly senile.

I've owned, and had friends that owned, many "rigs." One REAL poor setup is the much worshipped (in some circles) so called "close ratio Muncie with a 2.20 low. You couple that with a mid-sixties typical 3.08/3.36 rear gear and you have something that's a "clutch slipper," not good at all for hauling any heavy loads (the family of six and their baggage, boat, etc, behind)

The typical ratio in an A833 makes WAY more sense, 'xample, than the above.

Automatics dont' matter as much in day-day driving because of that thang, that there torque converter. But auto ratios DO make a huge effect on drag race launches, the heavier and lower powered the car is

So I don't have a specific answer for ya, depends on MANY factors

Do you tow?

Haul heavy loads?

Is the car heavy?

High gear in the rear axle?

Big diameter tires?

etc, etc, etc

 

['64 Cuda]

I dont think you read what i wrote

Yeah, I've got a sick kid here & my mind was really somewhere else....