4:10s or 3:54s

[Rocket]

I was looking for a Dana with 4:10s but found a Dana with 3:54s that I am going get. The 3:54s make more sense for cruising I think.

I won't take the car on the highway much, would 4:10s be more fun around town and the occasional (once a year if that) track visit?

It's a 440-6 69 RR (near future 500" stroker) with a 4 speed. Am I making the right choice?

 

[69hemibeep]

4;10s are to low to run the highway depending on your speed limit. My 3;54s are a push at 75mph and everyone around me is doing 85. I can cruise at 70 on the primaries and at 75 and up all 8 barrels start working.

 

[Basketcase]

the closest I ever had was 3.91s. Lotta fun, but not on the highway. I had 3.55s, still lots of fun, and I could cruise at 70 no problem and still got decent milage.

 

[dobie]

Yeah, I have 3.91's currently. Like Dave said, they're fun in town. Get out on the highway though and it's a bit different. If I had a set of 3.54's laying around, Id go with them. My 3.91's are still good to go for now however, so Im not gonna buy a set.

 

[Roadcuda]

4;10s are to low to run the highway depending on your speed limit. My 3;54s are a push at 75mph and everyone around me is doing 85. I can cruise at 70 on the primaries and at 75 and up all 8 barrels start working.

You must be able to see the gas gauge drop with all 8 feeding that beast at once!!

 

[Basketcase]

yeah but with all that Grey Poupon stock it's pennies to Bobbie.......

 

[69hemibeep]

You must be able to see the gas gauge drop with all 8 feeding that beast at once!!

Umm yes lol

 

[Smokngun]

I had 4.10's in my big block Dart with a 27" tire. Yeah, it turned some RPM on the highway, but I didn't load it up and take trips with it. It was my hot rod/street racer, so 4.10's were just right. If you are going to make frequent highway jaunts the 3.54's should be a good compromise between a "highway" gear (2.92's) and ultimate fun (4.56's).

 

[mahoney0_00_3]

you want the 354 gear set to run a 1/4 mile you will be spent 3/4 of the way down remember small block high rpm /big block lower rpm for stock built engines--if you mod the engine your money will buy you rpms-I had a 383/auto dart that had 355's and it ran stock w/better tires on the back intake and carb and the car ran 12.50s/and the tac was at 6500 rpms 2 sizes bigger than stock and a 70 series tire and e78 14 on front b-pyle tires --oh by the way --they stopped like sh*t--that car went 106 thru the traps and the drum brakes made it just that more fun

 

[peresvet24]

If I understand correctly that the ratio greater numbers gives good acceleration but lower maximum speed. on my black Volga have 3.91 I think put there 4.10 I do not drive on the highway 85 miles faster, I want to have good acceleration than the maximum speed

 

[ACME A12]

If I understand correctly that the ratio greater numbers gives good acceleration but lower maximum speed. on my black Volga have 3.91 I think put there 4.10 I do not drive on the highway 85 miles faster, I want to have good acceleration than the maximum speed

You understand it perfectly, Harry.

Higher numerical ratio, i.e. 4.10 to 1, usually equates to faster acceleration and a lower top speed.
Lower numerical ratio, i.e. 3.23 to 1, usually equates to slower acceleration and a higher top speed.

We are speaking in very general terms here. Vehicle weight, engine RPM capability, and other factors also weigh in. I used the term "usually" because when you are drag racing if you have enough horsepower you can run a lower numerical ratio and still produce a good E.T.

 

[moparchris]

I have 3.54s currently in my 6 pack Bee. I like them although almost all my other cars in my stable have 4.56s. I drive the 4.56 cars on the freeway no problem but your going to get passed. People get pretty nervous about the extra 800 RPM with a 4.56 versus a 3.54 at any given speed, but my opinion is that the motor doesn't really care.

 

[Rocket]

I have a 4:10 chunk I a m going to try out for a while before I buy a dana. I think I want the 4:10s but who knows once I drive it for a while.

 

[BL1 70 roadrunner]

Wat does a 3:91 gear ratio mean?

 

[Rocket]

your drive shaft turns 3.91 times to make one revolution on the tire

 

[greenpeas]

I run 4.10s in my 440 4-spd. It's not terribly bad if you have tall tires in the back. I have MT 315s that are 30 inches tall which helps. I can keep up on the interstate but I wouldn't want to do it for a long distance.

I have a spare center section which I've always wanted to build up with a 3.23 for my 8 3/4.

 

[redchas]

My 440/727 RR runs the stock 3.23 open 8-3/4 rear end. Also has a Gear Vendors OD so is built for cruising. I want to switch to a limited slip and either 3.54 or 3.73 gears. Any opinions? Also, when changing the gear ratio, what about changing the speedometer gear to keep a relatively accurate speedo? What color (and teeth number) speedo gears correspond to 3.23, 3.54, 3.73, 3.91, 4.10 rear ratios?

 

[RoadRunnerJD]

I ran 4.30's in my 383 4 speed for 2 years. Drove it between Pittsburgh, PA for holidays; Boston, MA for school and N. VA for work. Loved every minute of it and it was quicker than most back in 1971 going 13.2@106. I don't think it killed my mpg that bad. I thought I was getting 15 mph at the time. The 4.10 is just right for the 440-6 but you won't be driving 75 mph on the interstates!

 

[383a4runner]

I run 4.56 with a 29" tire. Lots of fun but the gears are noisy and it's just a pain to drive it. I would love to find a set of 3.55's to swap in it.

 

[quikbird]

Color and teeth also affected by tire size. Brewers does good job figuring that out.