questions about low 1st gear

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by hardtimes

my cousin only runs a 4.33 gear shifts at 6500 and his converter is 5100. has roller spring perches in the front and also runs a maverick springs and the calvert shocks his wheel stand is only about 1/3 of that one. but he wants his to look like that one. the two combo seems pretty close to the same, except the gear do you think it would make that much of a difference.

4.33 vs. 4.86? Yes. BTW, this Mustang has roller spring perches too.

[hardtimes]

so what can/should he do to try to get the car to wheelstand better?
rear gear/trans gear/converter ?

[1320racer]

need to know more about the current combo as it stands. Converter is critical as well and can't be compared by size and stall alone.

[hardtimes]

408W 10.5:1 compression
AFR 185 heads
hydraulic flat tappet 240/246 541/544 106lsa
Victor jr intake Holley 950HP
1 3/4 headers
C4
8" ATI
4.33 gear
M/T 28x10.5 bias stiff sidewall
3100lb w driver

[1320racer]

Based on the info you provided, this engine is making less than 500HP. He probably is shifting a few hundred RPM too high and the converter is a few hundred too loose. More rear gear will help providing he can hook. A move to a 4.71 gear should be worth at least .02 in 60 foot but will have him turning upwards of 500 RPM more at the stripe which isn't a bad thing providing his valve train is up to the task.

[pintojoe II]

gear change to 4.71 will tighten the conv

[1320racer]

agreed, that's why it was suggested

[SSDart]

Originally Posted by hardtimes

so what can/should he do to try to get the car to wheelstand better?
rear gear/trans gear/converter ?

Proper shock settings, dynamic adjustable strut rods and min 5 inches front travel before you consider playing with gearing or god forbid some message board know it all's GUESS at your converter needs..............

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by SSDart

Proper shock settings, dynamic adjustable strut rods and min 5 inches front travel before you consider playing with gearing or god forbid some message board know it all's GUESS at your converter needs..............

Everything he ^^^^ suggested, and free moving control arms. With the ball joint not connected to the spindle, raise the ball , then let go. Should drop. You can always slow it back down with the shocks and take travel back out with travel limiters on good starting lines. You should be fighting excessive wheel stands (they will cost you a couple hundredths) , not wheel spin.

That Mustang is a good car, and runs real well. He has changed the rear gear since that pic and calmed it down some but it runs the same, if not faster.

A low gear helps some people and not others. Depends what kind of car engine, ect.
My brother has a Maverick with a .040 Boss 302. Bracket race car. He went from a 2.46 to a 2.91 in his C4. His car picked up around .08 and .04 in the 60'. Carries the front wheels almost to the 60' clock. When he leaves high on the converter. Made a big difference for him. Small engine, no tq what so ever. A lot of the NHRA class cars run a lower first gear. You will have to test and find out for your self to get your answer.
YMMV. Good luck