what low gear for a powerglide?
 

my car is 2450# with a sbc 434, powerglide, 5000 stall, rear is 4.56 tires are 32.5, runs 9.30's @ 145. I have a stock 1.76 first gear and they make 1.64, 1.65, 1.69, 1.76, 1.80 & 1.96. I will up grade to after market set just not sure what ratio? i will run super pro & pro thanks Doug

?
 

1.80
That will be Fine for your Needs!
Later
G 8)

1.80
 

BBC thanks for your help Doug

Doug i don't think you will gain more than .002/.003 with a change to 1.80's, maybe not worth the cost. I think the smaller tire from the 16X33's that you have been running will make the difference. I would try the smaller tires before spending $750.00/$850.00 on the gears.

JMO

Zip.

1.80
 

thanks Zip, do you know i'am running a stock P/G planetary? i thought they might be weak? i have been using it the last 5 years. Right now i have a friend that works for a distributor of Toyo tires, he's going to find out what they have and i will go from there also i think i have a trade on my 15x16 wheels for 15x15 that will give me more tires to chose from, those Toyo's you have are the perfect roll out. I'll let you know what he finds. Thanks Doug

x2

Re: what low gear for a powerglide?
 

Either a 1.80 or 1.96. IMO one of the best investments people rarely make !

i have to agree with zip on the 1.80's :wink: dont they offer a 1.87 or 1.89 first gear too?

P/G
 

Fast Vega they make a 1.98 but someone told me they were not as strong as the 1.80? and the 1.80 set is $688 if the stock 1.76 is as strong as the aftermarket sets i might hold off as i just bought a set of Chad Speire heads, Jesel rocker bars and will buy a slicks soon also have to get the chassis certified $$$. I would like to know about the strength of the 1.98 planetary set to the 1.80. Thanks to all Doug

Re: P/G
 

The 1.98 aftermarket is just as strong and made of the same material.

What you need to watch out for, some of the aftermarket gear sets are made of cheaper material and made over seas. Find one made in the USA .. :)

A 1.76 is no where near as strong as a 1.80

Like David mentioned, you get what you pay for. The cheap gearsets do and will break. The stock 1.76 gear will break and it is just a matter of when. You might run it for 2 years and you may break it in 2 weeks. The cost of pulling and replacing the gear set and the potential race winnings that it may cost you are worth the initial investment up front. I see a lot of people not want to spend the money on the transmission and it costs them twice as much to replace and repair what can break in a transmission failure.

Re: what low gear for a powerglide?
 

Doug,
Heres some FOOD for Thought,...........?
A good freind of mind that just moved south to Ark.,built a Brand New Altered,SBC Injected 406 car ran desent,5.50-.060's.He had (STOCK)Planetary in the Glide.Well last sat.He TOTALED the B/New Car!
He was Bracket Racing,had the Guy covered,hit the Brakes HARD!The Planetary EXPLODID!The Car is JUNK,He barrel rolled a few times and I thing Enddoed also!
So,....?He spent ALOT of $$$ in the WRONG Place,.....???Get what I'm Say'ing?

The AFTERMARKET Planetary is a SAFETY Feature,that as far as I'm concered,ANY Car Faster than say 6.00 in the 1/8,9.00 in the 1/4,SHOULD BE MANDETORY!!!!
I'LL BET you have ALOT MORE in that Upper End!!!!

Later
G 8)

1.80
 

BBC that's not what i wanted to hear!! we are going to run my car in S/G at the Sonoma nat. event this year and my luck it would break in elim's. I will spend the money as soon as i can. now if i do it would the 1.98 be better choice or 1.80?. Thanks Doug

Re: 1.80
 

Well Thats Kind of a Call (YOU) Need tp make?But,I went with a 1.98 WAY Back in the Early Days of a SBC.If I had to do it over,It was a WAISTE of $$$,there is VERY little % of difference between them.But,the 1.80 is a MORE versitle Set-Up!

My VOTE-1.80!
Not that its Rite or Wrong,but the WAY I would FLY!

Later
G 8)

What
 

The reason a Powerglide works well is because it does not have a low gear like a Turbo 400. The lack of gear multiplication makes the converter multiply torque better and results in a faster car most times.

Rear end gear ratio and tire diameter will make more difference than trans ratio.

1.80 works more times than not even on a small block if the proper converter is used.

Look at all the transmissions for sale on this site and you will see few lower than 1.80.

1.80
 

thanks 1.80 will be my choice. Doug