1972 Chevelle SS gear question?

Question

I have a 350 high performance engine with approx. 500HP in my 72 Chevelle. What gear should I run? It is a daily driver that I take on the interstate.

Answer 1

Use a 3.43 with a 5 or 6 speed tremec for the best of all worlds..

Answer 2

with my 72 ss chevelle and a 500 hp 350 with dual 650 holleys, i ran a 410 rear gear and a 4 speed, your cam will dictate the gear you run. my crane cam power range was 5500 to 7500. Actually was pefect gearing for the street, the 543 lift cam was still hitting a nice lick at 65 on the highway. The stock 12 bolt is those cars was extremely strong, the weak link is the Muncie 4 speed. I exploded 4 of those and 1 T10, powershifting at 7500.

Answer 3

You might change the 20 mpg to 10 mpg or less hot rodding that car. There are many mods for that engine, from simple, to when you have to take out a mortage. Smoke the tires? I used to smoke the tires on my old '72 Dodge Colt 4 speed, in 1st and 2nd gear. If you want quick, it doesn't have to burn rubber, but it does have to get the power moving the car. It isn't moving all that much while the wheels are spinning. For a car that old, I would first start making it safe, with good brakes, suspension, alignment, free-flowing exhaust. Then I would rebuild the heads to tolerate no-lead fuel, have them ported, and get a better intake manifold and carburetor that works with it. Where will you find a road long enough to be driving at 135 mph? You won't do it on a quarter mile dragstrip.

Answer 4

Being that you drive it everyday and mostly on the interstate, I personally, would use a 2:72. It will get better mileage and you can keep that boy racer from trying to pass in his rice burner. 2:72 is what my old '75 Electra had in it. It was slow taking off but could hammer down after 55 mph.

Answer 5

for a daily commute on the interstate, you'd probably want to keep the cruise rpms down. 2.73 or 3.08 are good for freeway travel, but you'll not get a lot of accelleration. there also is a 3.42 ratio for chevys that might be more appropriate, as it would give you some more bottom end, but would put your cruise rpm up a bit. if you go to 3.73 or 4.11 there will be a lot of gas used on freeway travel 'cause you'll be pulling around 3000rpm at speed.
try an overdrive automatic with the mid-threes rearend for best all around.

Answer 6

I would take the gear ratio down to close to the 3 to 1 range for a daily commuter, but it's going to take away from the take off torque.

Answer 7

3.55 tops....depends on tranny and how engine is built...lots of low end? u may get away with 3.23... if u have a tall tire and are a little nuts a 4.11 can work[ but drive under 65]

Answer 8

i would put a 400 turbo tranny in it and run something even higher than a 355 rearend