Driving it around more today I really hate this first gear.

When i merge onto the freeway I drop the hammer at about 55mph or so and it goes into first gear and makes a bunch of noise but doesn't really feel any faster than my RCSB stock. I sit there and wait for 2nd gear to hit so i can really start to pull. It seems like it takes forver to go through the rpm band.

I'm gonna price out some gears tomorrow and if I can somehow swing it I'm gonna do a swap and I'll report back.

In the mean time I'm gonna stick my 29" Centerlines on the truck which will simulate a 4.10 gear almost to a T and I'll let ya'll know if that helps much.

 

F8L, check your PM's.

 

I have to admit it wouldn't be nearly as fun without very low rear gearing.

This was the day after I finished the install: (default program)
http://bertok.us/pics/4L80E-merge.mpg

Run from 0-80, programmed.
http://bertok.us/pics/0-80.mpg

Disclaimer: No gear-splitting took place in making those vids!

 

I know this depends a lot on the verter, but what kind of gear extension are you gettin?

WIth my 4.10's, Hughes verter, and 80, I hit about 5700 when I shift at 6600.

 

I am not sure what kind of extension I am getting because I only shift gears once usually as i have yet to take it up to 3rd gear which would be over 100mph. LOL The extension seems fine though. it doesn't fall on it's face or anything, to the contrary I can't wait till it hits 2nd gear as it seems faster for some reason. Maybe because the converter locks up.

I just finished putting my 29" Centerlines on it so I'll drive to work tomorrow with what would feel like 4.10s. The overall weight isn't a huge difference so I should get an idea of what 4.10s would feel like and then I can make my decision.

James B. Those vids dont work for me.

 

I would go bigger than 4 11 have you thought about 4 56, that would be killer with smaller drag tires

Whats the word on swapping the front gearing

 

Maybe you think so, but not me. 2 seasons ago I was cutting 1.63 to 1.65 sixty fts with the 60e. Now I am in the 1.80 range. The 60e with a 3000 stall was almost pulling the front wheels. The 80e with a special built 3400 with a 2.7 STR to help make up is a dog outta the hole.

But I completely agree that the gear spacing is way better and it has much better drivability etc. Plus there isn't any other options for the high hp/heavy trucks. I am going to go to a shorter tire (at the track) and see if that helps some.

 

You're running 1.80 60's now with the Whipple AND nitrous? Damn! I knew this gear was soft but that's insane..

The gearing is about the same as the Turbo400 and the AOD Mustangs and those always launch ok in cars. We just need to gear up or run shorter tires at the track.

I'm gonna do a 4.56 gear swap and run the 32-33" tall tires on the street and swap to the 29" tall tires at the track which should be pretty wicked. LOL

 

I ran 4.56 gears and 29" tires on the street,the combo was a bit much at highway speeds.I could actually break the tires loose from a 50mph punch and the gear spacing was great.I did smash a Auburn Pro posi,while running the combo and would not suggest running the 4.56 gears on anything but a track only truck.

 

I'd really only be using the 29" tall tires for racing. They look like *** on the truck right now. I've got a 200ft. wheel well gap. LOL I normally run 32.8" Goodyears AT/S for daily driving. The 32" tires with 4.56s are very similar to running 29" tires with 4.10s. That doesn't sound too wild to me. I ran 3.73s with 25.7" tires on my T/A so it should all be about the same. At 80mph I was sitting at 3000rpm in the T/A.

You think the 4.56s are too high for a 32-33" tire for daily driving?