gear ratio and gas milage

crazypete · 05-14-2004, 12:40 PM

Lets put it this way.... if you know how to drive without a lead foot, you can get the same gas milage out of the car. The car doesnt have to work as hard. With 3.73's, I lost maybe 1 mpg over the stock 3.08's, but sometimes, my gas mileage was the same. I cruise around at 70 mph but I dont accelerate like crazy when cross country-ing. Just easy cruisin. When I went AOD and the crazy OD gear, I was pulling 25 mpg with 3.73's, a carb and an AOD. That might have been a fluke for that trip (the air in maine was good that day) but usually I see 22 mpg with that combo in combined highway driving.

Now...around town, if you baby it, you'll actually GAIN mileage! Why? Cause of better torque multiplication, it will be easier for the motor to push the car around. Just accelerate like grandma and you'll be very pleasantly surprised. Gun it at every light and be prepared to shreik when you get to the gas station.

With gas prices about 2.00 here is MA, I can see why you're concerned.

In my humble opinion.....3.55's just isnt enough to justify the cost (by the way, thats a DAMN good deal). Go at least 3.73 or maybe 4.10 (depending on tire height: 3.73 for 25.5's 4.10's for 26.6's).

05-14-2004, 12:40 PM	#1
crazypete Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 592	Lets put it this way.... if you know how to drive without a lead foot, you can get the same gas milage out of the car. The car doesnt have to work as hard. With 3.73's, I lost maybe 1 mpg over the stock 3.08's, but sometimes, my gas mileage was the same. I cruise around at 70 mph but I dont accelerate like crazy when cross country-ing. Just easy cruisin. When I went AOD and the crazy OD gear, I was pulling 25 mpg with 3.73's, a carb and an AOD. That might have been a fluke for that trip (the air in maine was good that day) but usually I see 22 mpg with that combo in combined highway driving. Now...around town, if you baby it, you'll actually GAIN mileage! Why? Cause of better torque multiplication, it will be easier for the motor to push the car around. Just accelerate like grandma and you'll be very pleasantly surprised. Gun it at every light and be prepared to shreik when you get to the gas station. With gas prices about 2.00 here is MA, I can see why you're concerned. In my humble opinion.....3.55's just isnt enough to justify the cost (by the way, thats a DAMN good deal). Go at least 3.73 or maybe 4.10 (depending on tire height: 3.73 for 25.5's 4.10's for 26.6's). __________________ 91 GT Carb conversion, holley 600 double pumper, edelbrock performer intake, FMS "C" drop springs, march 1000 underdrive pullies, crane 1.7 roller rockers, GT-40P headers, bassani x pipe, american thunder catback, FMS 4.56's, msd aL6, trunkmount battery, A/C eliminator kit, 3000 stall tci streetfighter, AOD with transgo kit, A+ servo, 300M hardened lockup shaft, kevlar bands and 28,000 gvw trans cooler, 3 core radiator, 300 lbs stripped with a full interior