MALIBU Rear gearset selection

[Ribbedroof]

After way too long, the wagon is on the way to being self-mobile again. Since it's getting OD, the 2.41 gearset has to go.

What I'm considering are 3.08, 3.23, or "maybe" 3.42

Based on the coupe's 4.10 gear with 2.48 low being useless in first gear (or the interstates) I'm leaning towards 3.08 or 3.23

Not looking to go crazy with this, it's just going to be the cruiser/weekend getaway/daily 75 mile commuter wagon

Either of those 2 gearsets will give it similar low gear performance to the coupe, yet allow for decent fuel mileage and a little onramp fun

Every fiber of every horodder screams 3.73 or deeper , but it just doesn't need that much gear. Tires being 25.6 "diameter also hurts a little on RPM

Anybody running OD with 3.08/3.23?

 

[ck80]

Buick used to pair their 4.1L/200-4rs with 3.08s when these cars were new in 83/84 and they did OK.

Through the years I had half a dozen and EVERY one of them was optioned with the 3.08 limited slip.

 

[Bonnewagon]

I am in a similar spot. I have an overdrive manual trans but I can't decide on what rear to use. It is the MY6 GM version of the A833 Mopar [NP-440] overdrive I got from spidereyes455. First gear is 3:1. Overdrive is .73. I am hovering between 3:08 and 3:23 rears. I have 3:23 gears right now in the Bonnewagon and I spin around 2600 rpm at 60 mph. 3:08's would be more like 2100 rpm. The overdrive would lower that even more. Spending time with the calculators on http://www.wallaceracing.com/Calculators.htm is probably time well spent. In my case I am thinking the 3:23 to be the best. 3:23 X 3 = 9.69 for a very nice overall first gear and a 60mph engine speed of around 2000 rpm. The disc brake rear I have is 3:08 and would mean a gear change.

 

[Streetbu]

Not sure what the speed limit is around your area, or how often, and how you drive. Most people seem to go by the 60mph rpm. If I'm taking my car more than 30 minutes, I'll be on a major interstate, which is 65mph, and of course everyone does 75-80mph.
Well 20mph difference also makes huge rpm difference. So in my case I went 3.73 because I have a double overdrive and 6th is .50. So with a 25.5" tall tire it puts me at 2000 rpm at 80 mph. Worked out awesome for highway cruising 700 miles one way to Kentucky last September.
Long story short. How fast will you be going in your commute, honestly?

 

[melloelky]

Not sure what the speed limit is around your area, or how often, and how you drive. Most people seem to go by the 60mph rpm. If I'm taking my cat more than 30 minutes, I'll be on a major interstate, which is 65mph, and of course everyone does 75-80mph.
Well 20mph difference also makes huge rpm difference. So in my case I went 3.73 because I have a double overdrive and 6th is .50. So with a 25.5" tall tire it puts me at 2000 rpm at 80 mph. Worked out awesome for highway cruising 700 miles one way to Kentucky last September.
Long story short. How fast will you be going in your commute, honestly?

he'll be taking his time driving to work but on the return road he'll be driving much faster..

 

[565bbchevy]

In my Regal I am running a 200R4 and it came with a 2.56 gear so when I installed my QP 9" I decided to go with 3.25 gears since this car is mainly a cruiser and I didn't want to lose too much top end, I am very happy with my choice and it feels well balanced between city and highway plus gets decent gas mileage.

 

[melloelky]

this's with a 26" tire,200r4 &a 370gear set,man, what a bad picture this is!

 

[403Olds]

On my wife's GP with a 305 and 200R4, I went with a 3.42. Definitely helped with the light to light feel of it, and doesn't get too bad on the 70 mph interstates, somewhere around 2400 rpm, where my Cutlass at 70 and a 3.73 is pushing 3000 rpm.

 

[Wageslave]

I'm kinda in the same position as my Pontiac has the 200-4r with the 2.41's. I had pretty well decided that 3.08's would fit my application best as I see Interstate speeds regularly and don't really need crazy launch ability.

On the upside though, if your motor has above stock levels of power that gear is not terrible. Mine will still do a burnout on command, but is holding 2100 RPM at 90mph

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Tire diameter also effects engine RPM at a given speed.

There is a formula to help predict your RPMs with different setups.

RPM=(MPH×final ratio×336)÷tire diameter. Final ratio would be the trans gear you want to be in x rear axle gear ratio.