Transmission and gear choice

[porkchop4]

what is a good transmission choice i haven't been able to decide what i want. What would be a good gear choice i have a 3000# factory stock the track is Caney Valley Speedway a small 1/4 mile that slicks off pretty good by feature time

[CLAWS44]

i would run a th350 takes less hp to spen it, and then i would try to run my gear in the 600's and see where you want it

[porkchop4]

thanks...what should i do to stock a th350 to keep from burning it up

[CLAWS44]

if your allowed put some redline clutches in it, and a (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word) kit. i always take the spring on the side of tranny out so it slaps into gear, instead if sliping into gear just saves the clutches a little longer. but the most importent thing is to take to someone that knows what they are doing, or you wont have a tranny at all lol

[porkchop4]

i would run a th350 takes less hp to spen it, and then i would try to run my gear in the 600's and see where you want it
Would a 6.20 be pretty good place to start or should i need more gear than that

[CLAWS44]

i think that would be plenty, giving you leave it in drive. it would keep your rpm's around 6500-7000 somewhere in there

[DaveBauerSS6]

I dont know all the details but , My calculator says you would be running about 92 mph around that track. Pretty fast for a factory stock. I would check with some other racers in your class. I dont think you can run in 3rd.

[Steve_Voisinet]

What type / size of transmission cooler do you guys recommend using with a Turbo 350?

[porkchop4]

I ended up getting a three speed couldn't really turn down the offer but dave you think 6.20 isn't right....a buddy of mine ran a 6.83 there but he broke something to early to find if it did anygood...what kinda calculations were u using to find that out

[dirty white boy]

i would think somewheres in th 7:00 range for a gear for 1/4 mile track...

[DaveBauerSS6]

Depends on alot more details. Again just ask someone that runs your class. Big guess based on our cars would be a 7.76 ish final. TH350 in first with a 3.08 gear is what our guys run. If you are on DOT tires 235/70/15 at 300 hp at 3000-3200 and a true 1/4 this should be close. Still I wouldnt spend one dime untill you know what other racers are running. If no one will tell you ask the tech inspector for the track, they will help you.
TH350 will last fine in this class run in any of the gears. Most issues with autos are fluid level and heat. With the right dip stick, the level with the motor running should be at the add line, not above. Dont check it hot. Too high will areate and cause slip. Low, you can understand it.
I dont care what kind of cooler you run as long as its in air flow. I prefer it in front of the radiator and 1" separation. Guys b!tch about loosing it in a crash, crying over $30.

BTW Call your points champ for the class, introduce yourself. Explain to him you need to know what he runs. If he wont answer you , now explain how you will take him out the first nite and ruin his season. Bet he helps you. Good luck.

[porkchop4]

Thanks dave...where can i find out the 2nd gear ratio for a Saginaw and we run racing rubber i run 10in wheels and I've asked around and I've gotten from the guy that wins every time is 6.66-7.00 idk how to get that final and we don't have very stock motors we're putting about 400-500hp and the way our track champion drives idk about that lol

[DaveBauerSS6]

Thanks dave...where can i find out the 2nd gear ratio for a Saginaw and we run racing rubber i run 10in wheels and I've asked around and I've gotten from the guy that wins every time is 6.66-7.00 idk how to get that final and we don't have very stock motors we're putting about 400-500hp and the way our track champion drives idk about that lol

Ive done this several times and I did it again. The classes here are not the same as in the mid/ east. When I think of factory stock its not the same as whats being run.
Is the trans a 4 speed or a 3 speed? Need to count the lines on the input shaft. No line,1 ,2, 3 lines. Someone will jump in on the ratios, when you have that info. Th350 is 2.52 in first, 1.52 in second, and 1 to 1 on third. What kind of rearend are you running? Chevy, Ford? That will determine what ratios are available. Example, TH350 in first with a chevy 10 bolt rearend with 2.73 gears is 2.52 x 2.73 = 6.87 final ratio. Or a sag (3) trans in 3rd gear with a ford rearend 7.00 gears, is 1 x 7.00 =7.00

[porkchop4]

Thanks dave and I'm running a ford 9in I'll look at what kind of 3spd i have but ur saying a small 1/4 mile run something higher than a 6.50 final

[porkchop4]

And in Oklahoma our factory stocks are more like Texas I stocks stock floor pan stock position motor must be under 360 ci to run 4bbl can run racing rubber max 10in can run a 9in disc brakes stock OEM transmission no weights jacks can run racing springs and shocks in stock position

[DaveBauerSS6]

Thanks dave and I'm running a ford 9in I'll look at what kind of 3spd i have but ur saying a small 1/4 mile run something higher than a 6.50 final

I think someone in the area that knows the tracks/ rules better than me would be the answer. Sometimes Im to eager to help.

[porkchop4]

It's fine thanks for the help u helped more than anyone else

[Steve_Voisinet]

Checking a manual transmission gear ratio is pretty easy.

Put the trans in second gear (or whatever gear you want to check). Put a chalk mark on the input shaft (the engine side), and another one on the output shaft (the drive shaft side). Turn the input shaft by hand until the output shaft turns exactly one full turn. Just count the number of turns that the input shaft turns in order to turn the output shaft one turn and that is the gear ratio.

It is easier to do this with the transmission out of the car, but you can also do it in the car. Just have one person turn the front of the engine crankshaft and have someone else count the turns at the drive shaft.

[dirtman45]

Saginaw 3 speed ratios.

# OF SHAFT GROOVES 1St Gear 2nd Gear 3rd Gear
0 2.85 1.68 1.0
1 2.54 1.50 1.0
2 3.11 1.84 1.0
3 3.50 1.89 1.0

[DaveBauerSS6]

Saginaw 3 speed ratios.

# OF SHAFT GROOVES 1St Gear 2nd Gear 3rd Gear
0 2.85 1.68 1.0
1 2.54 1.50 1.0
2 3.11 1.84 1.0
3 3.50 1.89 1.0

Thanks you.

[fast_crew]

I would agree with what you where told as far as 6.66-7.00 depending on what rpms you want. We ran 358ci w/ 4412 carb (about 400-425 hp), a fast 3/8 and a tight turned 1/2mi. track netted around 68-7000 with 6.20-6.33's. with 10" wheels and around 91" rollout latemodel tires. An auto trans with a standard convertor will have about 200 rpm slip, so keep this in mind if you ever run an auto, this would require about .20 less gear.

[ss74]

I run there regularly. 2011 track champ in factory. Only ran there twice last year do to other track obligations. I run a good 355. Like to turn 7200 to 7400 and run a 7.00 gear with asphalt take off tires. Saginaw with a 10 1/2" clutch set up. Lightweight corvette style flywheel. Car weighs 3200. If you don't want to turn that hard a 6.66 or 6.83 final would be a good start. If you aren't going to run a final gear then I would say a 1.68 2nd gear three speed saginaw with 4.11 gears would be the ticket. That give you a 6.90 final. If your 3 speed is a 1.84 second gear then I would go with a 3.70 gear giving you a 6.81 final. Hope this helps.

[porkchop4]

thanks Scott that helped quite a bit and what you won both the races you ran this year haha i think I'm gonna take some advice from you