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Topic: How to figure out gear ratio

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components

How to figure out gear ratio

Posted: 5/19/10 9:49pm Message 1 of 10
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Lake Villa, IL - USA
Joined: 10/27/2009
Posts: 2
Vette(s): 1972 Coupe 454 4-speed. Original, 69,000 miles.
From what I've read, the differential case on my 72 vette should have a production code stamped on it. The first two letters indicate the gear ratio. For example, AA would indicate 3.55:1.
 
From under the car, I've tried to find the production code, but I don't see it.
 
Can anyone tell me where it's located on the differential case? (Front, back, left, right, etc.)
 
Thanks!



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How to figure out gear ratio

Posted: 5/20/10 5:06am Message 2 of 10
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20213
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Check the code location/description out here...



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Joel Adams
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How to figure out gear ratio

Posted: 5/20/10 7:42am Message 3 of 10
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
Then, since your car is almost 40 years old, you might want to count the ratio anyway.  Jack up both sides of the rear and make sure both wheels turn together.  Then turn the wheels one turn, and count how many turns the driveshaft turns. 

Larry



How to figure out gear ratio

Posted: 5/22/10 2:46pm Message 4 of 10
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Cohasset, MA - USA
Joined: 1/5/2004
Posts: 36
Vette(s): 1968 coupe bought in 1999, 2nd owner, 427 custom built, 4 speed (M20), 3:36 posi rear end, Recaro seats, Intro wheels, Nitto tires, Flowmasters, etc. Painted nite race metallic blue.
You can multiply miles per hour times 1000 and divide by the engine RPM. For a 3.08:1 the ratio is 25.6, for 3.36:1 is 23.1, for 3.55:1 is 22.2, for 3.70:1 is 21.3, for 4.11:1 is 19.2, and for 4.56;1 is 17.0. Do it at different speeds and in different gears and you should get a pretty good average.





How to figure out gear ratio

Posted: 5/24/10 10:35am Message 5 of 10
Former Member
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
That method depends on tire size.  The only correct way is to count the turns.

Larry



How to figure out gear ratio

Posted: 5/24/10 12:36pm Message 6 of 10
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Lake Villa, IL - USA
Joined: 10/27/2009
Posts: 2
Vette(s): 1972 Coupe 454 4-speed. Original, 69,000 miles.
Thanks everyone.
 
With the information you provided I was able to find the production code and then I verifiyed the gear ratio manually by turning the tires.



How to figure out gear ratio

Posted: 5/25/10 11:40am Message 7 of 10
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sonoma, CA - USA
Joined: 8/9/2002
Posts: 784
Vette(s): 72 LT-1 AC coupe,69 l-36 coupe
larry must have spent some time in wreaking yards, me to.


How to figure out gear ratio

Posted: 7/16/10 2:39pm Message 8 of 10
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Flat Rock, MI - USA
Joined: 4/4/2010
Posts: 14
Vette(s): L48 coupe, red on red.
I tried Larry's post (marked rotor and drive shaft) and it came out to be 3 and a 1/4 turns.  The 73 vette did have a 3:26.  The AW273E2 on the rear comes up in reference book as a 3:08.  The build sheet for the motor has major upgrades but I have no paperwork for anything else.  Think it could be a gear swap? 


How to figure out gear ratio

Posted: 7/16/10 7:23pm Message 9 of 10
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sonoma, CA - USA
Joined: 8/9/2002
Posts: 784
Vette(s): 72 LT-1 AC coupe,69 l-36 coupe
IT USUALLY NEVER COMES OUT PERFECT, YOU SHOULD ALLOW FOR SLOP.


How to figure out gear ratio

Posted: 7/17/10 10:05am Message 10 of 10
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Marana, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/8/2010
Posts: 104
Vette(s): 1982 Silver Blue
[QUOTE=anips]IT USUALLY NEVER COMES OUT PERFECT, YOU SHOULD ALLOW FOR SLOP.[/QUOTE]

x2 it is probably the stock 3.08 gear set.



in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


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