Happy new year to you all. Now that I am dug out of the snow, I'm putting my 2007 build plans on paper. Since I already have a pretty decent car, I really need to dial in the combination that will get me decent 1/4 mile times and allow me to cruise on the weekends in relative comfort.
What is the correct combination of gears and converter for what I have in the car? I only drive it about 800 miles a year but I want to make a few passes down the strip with ETs in the 13s? Any advice is appreciated.
Joined: Mon Jan 16 2006, 02:52AM
Location: Vantaa,Finland
Posts: 379
Maybe you should get a lower stall converter, and a longer gear ratio. Ohterwise there is a possibility, that the car may be quicker than 13 seconds. The 3.55's and 2400 stall should be just fine. If you want a little more, then maybe a little more stall speed would be helpful. but you need good tires to take advantage of that.
Joined: Sun Oct 09 2005, 05:02PM
Location: ALLEN PARK, MI.
Posts: 2007
I'm usually the last one to be asked, but here goes! Since you stated that driveability is a big concern, but at the same time you want 13's, this is the tee-der-todder!
We all know the 496 is a torque monster! Decent "driveability" compression ratio @ 10.3. That said, you want to move 4,200 LBS and get it rolling. If the shue's headers your getting is the ones I'm thinking of, the torque and power will be utilized down low with the "other" pep parts you mentioned on the engine.
I say, if you do not want to budge on the stall speed, gear it up to a 4.10 and have fun. You claimed ONLY 800 miles a year or season. That gear takes all that torque and pushes the Fury out da' gate and gets you rollin'!!! The thing I dig about a 4.10 gear on a "low mile drive" is that your engine is reving more to keep it from carboning up on shorter drives. Yes, the engine wears faster than the rest of the car, but 800 miles a year? Your engine will live forever......LIKE MINE! Tony P.
Even though the converter is rated at 2400,what does it actually stall at,and, is it a "premium converter".A good converter will work well on the bottom,but hold slippage on the top end to a minumum,thus not letting it heat up as much as a cheap converter on the street. Another so called trick,(although expensive is to swap out the 2:45, 1:45, 1 to 1 gears in the trans to a low gear set 2:77, 1:57, 1to1. This will get the car rolling faster,but at a cost,as these sets from Cope Transmission and others will set you back about 4-500 clams! With a Large motor you don't want too much converter,cause you will need a LOT more rubber to handle it. However a Bunch more gear can't hurt.You could sell those 3:55s for a good buck and step up to a 4:30 or a more street friendly 4:10 set for little cost,or swap the pumpkin with the lower gears when you head to the track.I used to drive 60 miles to the track w/my 4:56/4spd combo,bolt on the 11.5" slicks and go.
Joined: Fri Oct 07 2005, 12:03PM
Location: Central Ky.
Posts: 1575
What brand converter? Keep in mind that even though it's "rated" @2400 it will probably stall higher benhind a 496 stroker. Is it 5/16 lugs on the converter also? Or 7/16 ones. I'd sure have the 7/16 ones.
Cam sounds fine & 3.55 with a 26" tires. I run 3.23's with 28" tall tires & still can blow the tires off thru high gear with only 472". You don't need any low gear set for sure. Traction will be your worst issue.
My engine is similar setup to yours, 10.6-1, cam @ 240/250 & 540ish lift on a 112c/l. Converter is an old factory 10 3/4 ( Hemi style ) rebuilt & stalls just fine for street. Cruised over 400 miles in one weekend with it just fine.
I think you've got a good starting point for a cool driver.
Thanks you guys for all the recommendations. So,,,, since the air is so thin up here at 6,500 feet (Colorado Springs), I'll install a 3:73 gear for all around driveability, then see what the verter really stalls at. I had an electrical problem last season and could not advance the dizzy to 35*, too hard to start. That's fixed now so with some more advance, this thing ought to really fly. Will keep you posted with on-going saga. !drive
Joined: Sun Oct 22 2006, 09:26PM
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 74
Sounds like a good combo. I'll assume you have a pinion snubber or some sort of traction aid. A 3.70ish gear would be a good balance. I'm willing to bet that your converter is "flashing" to about 2800-3000 rpm which should be plenty with a low end torque engine, you don't want to blow the tires off !drive , that'll hurt e.t.s something terrible. Colorado Springs is beautiful. I moved from there to here (Texas) in the early 90's. Think I should have stayed there!! <span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Wed Jan 03 2007, 09:09PM ]</span>
I lived in San Antonio for a few years and loved it. When I can get the Fury out after the snow melts, I'll entertain the neighbors while I test out the verter stall speed. Can't wait. !drive
Since you stated that driveability is a big concern, but at the same time you want 13's, this is the tee-der-todder!
Tony P.
