Ordering New Transmission, but What Gears ?

Rich Biebel · 03-31-2014, 02:44 PM

40+ years ago on 7" slicks I learned that the steeper first gear Muncie transmission would only run fast when the traction was very, very good.

Even in a small block hydraulic cam rpm limited 3200lb car.

A 2.5 trans with a 4.88 rear gear and a steel flywheel dug holes in the starting line sometimes......

Basically we needed an aluminum flywheel at the minimum to adjust to the track conditions. Going from a 2.5 to a 2.20 first was a huge change and we threw that at the car in desperation at one race. A bog was faster than a spin........by a lot...We were racing on asphalt then and hot summer was way less traction than cooler conditions by a mile....Smoking the tires on the launch was normal....but only a little....

The fastest car in our class ran less gear in the trans and upped the TQ as much as possible with long collectors and other tricks....

Back in the traction limited days of 7" slicks...

Basically I think you have to pick something that is not as aggressive as you might like or think it could use. A happy medium so to speak.....

I don't miss those days one bit.....LOL

03-31-2014, 02:44 PM	#13
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,320 Likes: 25 Liked 557 Times in 217 Posts	Re: Ordering New Transmission, but What Gears ? 40+ years ago on 7" slicks I learned that the steeper first gear Muncie transmission would only run fast when the traction was very, very good. Even in a small block hydraulic cam rpm limited 3200lb car. A 2.5 trans with a 4.88 rear gear and a steel flywheel dug holes in the starting line sometimes...... Basically we needed an aluminum flywheel at the minimum to adjust to the track conditions. Going from a 2.5 to a 2.20 first was a huge change and we threw that at the car in desperation at one race. A bog was faster than a spin........by a lot...We were racing on asphalt then and hot summer was way less traction than cooler conditions by a mile....Smoking the tires on the launch was normal....but only a little.... The fastest car in our class ran less gear in the trans and upped the TQ as much as possible with long collectors and other tricks.... Back in the traction limited days of 7" slicks... Basically I think you have to pick something that is not as aggressive as you might like or think it could use. A happy medium so to speak..... I don't miss those days one bit.....LOL __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R Last edited by Rich Biebel; 03-31-2014 at 02:55 PM.