Gearing Lingo Lower gears are higher numerically; they provide more of a mechanical advantage and cause the engine to spin more rpm per mph than higher gears. Higher gears are lower numerically; they provide less mechanical advantage and cause the engine to turn less rpm per mph than lower gears. Hence, 3.50:1 gears are higher than 4.10:1 gears, but lower than 3.08:1 gears. Once you've got those concepts down, you're ready to sound like you know what you're talking about. Here's some gearing lingo to help you out: Lower Gears Are Called: Short gears Deep gears Slow-ratio gears Stoplight gears More gear Tight gears Higher Gears Are Called: Tall gears Shallow gears Fast-ratio gears Highway gears Less gear Loose gears Geared Up For Speed Hot Rod did a test of gear ratios and converter sizes (smaller equals higher stall speed) versus engine rpm and quarter-mile times for their June '95 issue. We helped with the testing, so we don't feel too bad about ripping them off and reprinting the numbers here. The car used was a small-block Nova with 26-inch-tall tires. We tried four gear ratios with two TCI converters, and here's what we found: Axle Ratio Converter Diameter 60- Foot E.T. MPH RPM at Finish RPM at 60 MPH 3.00:1 11-inch 2.10 13.75 101.96 4,200 2,600 3.50:1 11-inch 1.99 13.40 102.59 4,600 2,900 4.11:1 11-inch 1.95 13.18 102.81 5,500 3,300 4.57:1 11-inch 1.90 13.15 102.80 6,000 3,500 3.00:1 10-inch 1.99 13.39 102.19 4,600 2,950 3.50:1 10-inch 1.93 13.23 102.82 5,000 3,100 4.11:1 10-inch 1.85 13.14 102.85 5,500 3,300 4.57:1 10-inch 2.01 13.35 102.50 6,000 3,500 The best way to know the true circumference of your tires is to mark the sidewall of a mounted tire with a piece of chalk, push the car forward one revolution of the tire, then measure the distance travelled. You'll note that taller tires move the vehicle farther per tire revolution than shorter tires.The best way to know the true circumference of your tires is to mark the sidewall of a mou If you have 4.10:1 axle gears, then the driveshaft turns 4.10 times for each turn of the tire. This doesn't change with tire size or transmission gear ratio.If you have 4.10:1 axle gears, then the driveshaft turns 4.10 times for each turn of the t « | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | View Full Article By David Freiburger Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
