Rear End Ratio
 

I have a stock 1976 with a L48, auto transmission and a 3:08 rear end. I have the rear all apart doing a little "on jack stands" restoration/upgrading. I am replacing the leaf spring with a fiberglass spring and replacing all the u-joints while it's all apart. I also put on new rear cross member cushions, am adding a sway bar and replacing the strut rods with VBP adjustable ones.
Question: What, if any, benifits are there to changing the gear ratio of the rear differential. Any feedback will be appreciated.

RE: Rear End Ratio
 

Well, that question has many answers. All of them revolve around your intentions for the use of the car. If you stay with 3:08's, you will get good gas mileage and low RPM highway cruising but you will fall short on quick acceleration. If you go to the other end of the spectrum (4:10's) you will have the hole shots from H--l but your engine will be screaming (around 4,000 RPM) at highway speed. That's not good for sustained running. Also, you will get about 2 gallons per mile. With today's gas prices you will have to take out a second mortgage just to drive to the next town. In my opinion the 3:36's are the optimum gear for a Corvette. You get decent mileage, you can cruise the highway comfortably at 70 and you still get great off the line acceleration. The standard installed gear in 69 for the L46 was the 3:36. The base models got 3:08's.The wife's 69 Camaro SS has 3:31's, standard issue. You could go as high as 2.72's. Fantastic gas mileage but they are a dog off the line. Whichever way you decide to go, Good Luck.

RE: Rear End Ratio
 

Ain't nothin' I can add to that.....
'cept I'm runnin' 3.08's for long range impact. :D
Not interested in "hole shots".

RE: Rear End Ratio
 

Hi 1969 L46, When I bought my 74 T-Top it came with 350 badges on the hood.. I new that wasn't stock but they looked good and I always wondered where they came from,They are about one foot from the back of the hood and about 4 inches from the side of the hood. Well they look like just like your fender emblems. Another mysters solved!
By the way your Camaro looks great!
How do you decide which car to take? PG

RE: Rear End Ratio
 

Hey 1969 L46.
I didn't know about the 2.72's, this must be an aftermarket ratio, eh?
Ya caught my interest. I don't find these gears in my Vette cats, do ya suppose Summit might have 'em? :eek:

RE: Rear End Ratio
 

PG, The 350 emblems on the Camaro are stock. There are a lot people that use them because the font and the size seem to be just right. There are several places where you can buy individual numbers for custom engine cubes. As for which car to take, it is difficult sometimes. The Camaro is the wife's pride and joy. Of course, she let me build it for her. We have only had the Vette out a few times because it still doesn't have the hood or the convertable deck lid installed. Both pieces are at the body shop awaiting paint (This Sunday). Our car club is sponsoring a cruise-in on Saturday at the local Lowe's so we will have the Camaro there. Next weekend we will go the the area cruise for MDA. We plan to take the Vette unless there is a problem with the paint schedule. The 4 wheel alignment will be done on Friday morning. It has been one year and 10 days since I started the resto.

Starship, 2.72's were available for the C3's but they can only be obtained in used condition. Camaro people have the same problem with 3:31's for the 12 bolt. They are only available used.3.08's are excellent gears for the highway.

RE: Rear End Ratio
 

BTW, www.pacvette.com has lots of used Vette parts. I got a steering column from them. :)