Which gears for a blower?

92LimEd · 10-06-2002, 10:49 AM

Hi everyone, first time post here. I just did my first mods to my 92 limited edition convertible, and as you all know, it's really addicting. I've got 1 5/8" JBA nickel plated unequal headers followed by high flow cats, x pipe, and race magnum mufflers. Up front there's just a cone K&N and 13 degree timing, no other changes. I would eventually like to go with a Kenne Bell twin screw supercharger, as it generates boost right off idle. I also am not a huge racer, I just like a lot of torque around town. What would be a good gear set to go to now, with the blower added on later down the road? I've currently got stock 3.08's and they seem too tall. My initial thinking is to go with 3.73's, but will this be revving the RPM's too high, particularly when I go blower later on? Anyone out there with experience between the 3.55 and 3.73? Is the 3.55 enough to make a noticeable difference? Thanks in advance.

10-06-2002, 01:38 PM

with the torque the kenn bell makes and seeng that your doin most of yer drivin around town,I'm sure you'll be happy with 3.55's.

3.73's are alil lower and most street/strip cars use these.To be truthful you could use 3.73's too,not that much difference.But traction will be easier to come by using the 3.55's

lx mike · 10-06-2002, 02:19 PM

With the way the kenne bell blower make boost at low rpm's the 3.55's will be enough i think. could even try 3.27 too. could try this to: keep stock gears till you put the blower on and then see how it is with the stock 3.08's. then you;ll see how the boost comes on and can decide about the right gear.

92LimEd · 10-07-2002, 08:53 AM

Thanks for the responses guys. I was a bit surprised to hear both of you recommend the 3.55's. I wasn't sure if that would be a noticeable enough seat of the pants difference. A guy I know at the local speed shop thought 3.73's would be a good fit, but he's more of a track racer. I'd like to wait on the gears like you said, so I can see if the 3.08's would be fine with the Kenne Bell. However, I need to replace a left rear wheel bearing, and there is a lot of shared labor in the bearing and the gears. Any additional thoughts?

Oh, I forgot to mention on my initial post, I also installed an aluminum Fluidyne radiator - should be nice for these AZ summers.

302 LX Eric · 10-07-2002, 10:12 AM

If your keeping the car mostly on the street and will be adding the KB, then stick with the 3.55's. It will be plenty of gear to get you going. Remember that you'll have a ton of torque down low, so breaking the tires free will be very easy to do.

I've got 3.55's on my N/A 331. Right now, they are not the ideal setup, but with a ProCharger in the future, it will be just fine.

E

10-06-2002, 10:49 AM	#1
92LimEd Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3	Which gears for a blower? Hi everyone, first time post here. I just did my first mods to my 92 limited edition convertible, and as you all know, it's really addicting. I've got 1 5/8" JBA nickel plated unequal headers followed by high flow cats, x pipe, and race magnum mufflers. Up front there's just a cone K&N and 13 degree timing, no other changes. I would eventually like to go with a Kenne Bell twin screw supercharger, as it generates boost right off idle. I also am not a huge racer, I just like a lot of torque around town. What would be a good gear set to go to now, with the blower added on later down the road? I've currently got stock 3.08's and they seem too tall. My initial thinking is to go with 3.73's, but will this be revving the RPM's too high, particularly when I go blower later on? Anyone out there with experience between the 3.55 and 3.73? Is the 3.55 enough to make a noticeable difference? Thanks in advance.

10-06-2002, 02:19 PM	#3
lx mike Undescribable Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Ft Myers Fla Posts: 1,539	With the way the kenne bell blower make boost at low rpm's the 3.55's will be enough i think. could even try 3.27 too. could try this to: keep stock gears till you put the blower on and then see how it is with the stock 3.08's. then you;ll see how the boost comes on and can decide about the right gear. __________________ Rice Haters Club Member #101

10-07-2002, 10:12 AM	#5
302 LX Eric or '331 LX Eric' Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,142	If your keeping the car mostly on the street and will be adding the KB, then stick with the 3.55's. It will be plenty of gear to get you going. Remember that you'll have a ton of torque down low, so breaking the tires free will be very easy to do. I've got 3.55's on my N/A 331. Right now, they are not the ideal setup, but with a ProCharger in the future, it will be just fine. E __________________ 1991 5.0 LX Coupe - 40,750 miles 331 cu. in. / Tremec 3550 / BFG Drag Radials 12.22 @ 114.31 mph - w/1.89 60'

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10-06-2002, 01:38 PM	#2
Mustanguy Guest Posts: n/a	with the torque the kenn bell makes and seeng that your doin most of yer drivin around town,I'm sure you'll be happy with 3.55's. 3.73's are alil lower and most street/strip cars use these.To be truthful you could use 3.73's too,not that much difference.But traction will be easier to come by using the 3.55's

10-07-2002, 08:53 AM	#4
92LimEd Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3	Thanks for the responses guys. I was a bit surprised to hear both of you recommend the 3.55's. I wasn't sure if that would be a noticeable enough seat of the pants difference. A guy I know at the local speed shop thought 3.73's would be a good fit, but he's more of a track racer. I'd like to wait on the gears like you said, so I can see if the 3.08's would be fine with the Kenne Bell. However, I need to replace a left rear wheel bearing, and there is a lot of shared labor in the bearing and the gears. Any additional thoughts? Oh, I forgot to mention on my initial post, I also installed an aluminum Fluidyne radiator - should be nice for these AZ summers.