3.73s with a powerdyne blower = too much wheel spin?

[Perry V]

Hey guys, i've got a '97 bird with the 6 lb powerdyne, full exhaust and many others, I started with 3.23s right now i have 3.42's in, but i'm selling them to get a new set of gears (its a long story don't ask). The 3.42s are pretty good, but how would the 3.73s react with all of my mods. I've heard many powerdyne ppl say that with the 3.73s there is too much wheel spin, and that the 1st gear is way too short etc. Does anyone have any feedback on this at all? So should i buy 3.42s or 3.73s?

i should mention that this is my daily driver, i go on the Highway for about lets say 6-8 hours total every Summer (so not that much,), also won't the 3.73s put a higher strain on the blower (higher rpms?)

thanks, any help would be very apreciated.

Perry V.

[Patrick Javert]

wheel spin can be corrected by keeping you foot out of the gas. :D I'm gonna get lsd and 255-50-ZR16 tires cuz i get wheel spin a lot off the line w/ just the mild mods i got. the lsd by itself should take care of the wheelspin problem a lot. if you really hate shifting a lot, don't get them, or if you do, get a larger diameter rear set of tires, like 295-45-ZR18 on 18x10.5 vette rims. you will never have to worry about traction again if you do that! for real, just get the 3.73's, lsd, and wider tires. they'll work well for you since you don't drive on the freeway much.

[WickEdSix9838]

so why did you have to sell the gears???
Im jkin w/ya :D :D

I would buy the 3.73's, definately a LSD if you dont already have some, and put some drag radials..w/the DR's spinning wouldnt be an issue..

[Silent Majority]

Guys, this time I am going to disagree....

He alreadly has to HP to push the car beyond his wildest dreams. I say the 3.42 gear for the following reasons:

fuel economy
engine longevity
any other mechanical wear/tear.

Just my opinion though...

There comes a time inwhich you push a v6 so far that you should have bought a v8.

No disrespect, just my opinion...


dave

[Perry V]

Hey boys, i really appreciate all the responses.

I do have an Auburn Posi right now, but i still don't know what to do. Do you guys actually think that 3.73s would wear down the motor and blower etc. that much over the 3.42s? I just heard that the First gear with 3.73s is so short, that some ppl who had them on their powerdynes would actually start off in 2nd sometimes... [img]smile.gif[/img] no joke.

thanks again for all of the replies.

Perry V.

[WickEdSix9838]

Do yall really think 3.73's is gonna cause a LOT more wear on the motor??? its gonna be a lot less than everyone makes it out to be...i mean look, your turning 3-400 more RPM's, thats not very much more!! Also, if gas mileage is a problem then hes not wanting to go fast, you gotta burn gas if you wanna haul *** !!!!! I dont see how first gear is too much??? they must not be very quick w/the gears?? ive seen 6speed LS1's turn 1.6 60' and not have any problems with first gear?? the wheel spin will be just fine with drag radials, or if you REALLY want to hook, buy some track rims and put some slicks..your worrying too much about wheelspin, that can be easily taken care of..

[Cale]

First gear would be really short...

It'd prolly be fun though [img]smile.gif[/img]

May want to invest in some slicks!

[Perry V]

how much shorter would first gear be with 3.73s? Will it be like 3/4s or 1/2 of what it is with 3.42s.....i'm still undecided on the situation, i thought i was going to grab a set of 3.42s again, but wickedsix brought up some valid points. Wheel spin is no longer an issue. My major issues right now, is how short 1st gear will be and the wear on the motor, blower etc...

thanks again for all of your help, it is really giving me a good idea of what to choose.

Perry V.

[Cale]

The "ware" incurred by your motor would only be due to RPMs raising.
I think your RPMS would go up by what - maybe another 200+.
The terms greater ware should be used in conjuction with something like...
If you drove at the same speed that you did after the gears as you did previosuly - then its gonna ware faster than if you had the other gears due to the increased RPMs at different speeds.

How can you cure this?
Dont worry about it, it's like driving 5-10 mph faster on average than what you do know.

Or

Keep your RPMs at a certain level when daily driving and dont worry about it still.


Your only real problem to me would seem to be gas mileage (do you care?)
or in a racing situation - running out of low ratioed tranny gears before you end up shifting to a granny gear.
If you have plenty of traction, then I wouldnt even worry about first being so short... it probably would need to be shifted noticeable quicker though (not a considerable amount, but noticeable).

[WickEdSix9838]

First gear will definately be a lot shorter, but its not gonna be so short you will miss it...the car wont accelerate THAT fast, it will get to shift point quick but probably not too quick to not be able to pull 2nd...

heres an example: there is a guy here that has a 99 Cobra, the car has 4.10 gears, a clutch, slicks, headers, and suspension, he leaves the line at 6500 RPM's, runs 1.6 60', and he is still about 3-4 cars off the line before he shifts to second, so why be so worried about 1st being so short, it probably wont be that quick(if it is your car is bad a$$!!!)...BTW,this car is incredible off the line, it pulls the front tires and fu(kin scoots!!, also w/no internal mods!
theres a video at www.anythingcars.com, then videos, and under the miscellaneous section, it says Joe Lynch, 1.63 60'

[Patrick Javert]

as i said, traction can be easily fixed. larger diameter wheels/tires, wider wheels/tires, torque arm, lca's, panhard rod, lsd, bigger rear swaybar, drag springs/shocks. that's it. if you still don't get traction, invest into some dot approved drag slicks w/ tread on some 15x8-10 in. wheels. that'll fix all your problems.

[Perry V]

sweet, ya i think i might give the 3.73s a shot, and worsed case scenario i can always sell them, and i might lose like $50 or so, but it will be interesting to see how my setup reacts to it. My gas mileage won't drop that significantly when compared to 3.42s will it, i usually do not like driving my car with high revs, so i do spend a lot of time in 4th and 5th......ah well, i guess i'll let all you guys know when i get it done.

thanks again

Perry V.