[galaxie]

Guys and Gals,

I have a 65 Galaxie, fresh 390 with a decent cam, performer RPM intake, long tube headers, C6 with a smaller converter (about 2000 RPM). How do you feel 3:50 gears would perform in this? I have a set of 3:50, and 3:20s. Just tring to figure out which one I am going to bolt up to the fresh TruTrac.

Thanks!

 

[galaxie]

And, I am NOT limited to just those two ratios. That just happens to be the fresh sets I have on the self. I have other gears in other carriers avalable.

 

[EXracer4speed]

How tall of a tire? Are you just a cruiser or do you like to give it hell?

 

[Cruisin63]

Have you already done the converter? A cam that needs the breathing room of the RPM intake might want more stall. The 3.50 set would help though. I second the questions above. Tire height, intended use?

 

[gbeeler]

I run 3.71 gears. Had 3.00 to begin with. 3.50 might be a little better for highway. I hate running the highway with 3.71 gears. Sounds like the motor is screaming compared to the new over drive tranny cars. Although the vertible runs 2200 at 70 with 4:11 gears...but it has an AOD.

 

[Vallagard]

I've experienced 3.00s and 3.89s in my 66 with a 352. 3.89s are great if you are driving around town up to 50mph, i don't drive this car on the freeway/highway, but if i did i'm sure it wouldn't be very enjoyable. If you plan on taking it on the highway or freeway, i think 3.50s would be a nice middle ground, probably in the right range for adequate passing.

 

[DeepRoots]

MOTOR - A Rear Axle Calculator <= Calculator.

Real question is, what are you willing to live with?
3.50 in my opinion can have you cruising at 60mph no problem and still be mean around town.

 

[GT300TD]

I was running 3.70's in my '64 Gal 466/C6, 68 mph @ 3000 rpm, 2800-3200 torque convertor, camshaft power band 2650-6150, 27.8" tall tires, I LOVED it. 8 miles per gallon kinda sucked though . Now I'm running 3.89's, can't wait to drive it ...oh well, didn't build it for gas mileage .
For you 3.50 absolute minimum.

 

[jerrym3]

Really a personal preference and choice of driving style, but my 64 390 with 14" tires and 3:50 rear is just about as deep as I would go.

Freeway rpms in my car are a bit high, IMHO. (If I were more of a mechanic, and had a 3:00/1 rear just sitting around, I might throw it in just for a test drive.)

But, I do like that, with the 3:50, normal driving from a standstill, I'm in 3rd gear by 20mph and she's not lugging.