2.66 low gear vs close ratio

JoesEdge said
As for the rear end gear, rambling... I guess that's because those of us wondering about our first gear needs to match it to right rear end gear. The 3.21 in my 8.25 inch rear end seems to drive well. I think first could have some more umph, but maybe I just need to learn to drive it.

I do have a 8.75 inch rear end sitting in the wings waiting to get rebuilt. It currently has a 2.74 gear that I keep wondering how it would drive/accelerate. Would be great on the highway, but not sure if I'll need to be slipping first gear to get it going. Or, should I go with 3.23's for best of both worlds (street/highway).

Again, just rambling... The real question you answered. Thanks!!

If you prove your first gear is a 2.66. Then 2.66 x 3.21 =8.54. This is on the low end of acceptable for a typical streeter with typical tire sizes.Hence, as you say, it could use a little more "umph".
Sbms like starter gears closer to 10:1 or even 11:1. With stock 360s able to pull the lower ratios, and teeners liking a bit more. A hi-torque 360 does pretty good with 3.55s. This would be 3.55 x 2.66 =9.44
But keep in mind that the 3.55s are trading away comfortable hiway cruising(3.21s), for off-the-line umph.
And finally, you kindof answered your own question, when you said "The 3.21 in my 8.25 inch rear end seems to drive well." If that's true, it would be hard to justify a change. Just keep on keeping on, until the day comes when you finally,for sure,want more umph!

As to the 2.74s.. well, 2.74 x 2.66 =7.29.. and 7.29/8.54(your current ratio) =.853. what this feels like is that your engine just lost 1 -.853 =14.6% of it's size. This is just a little more than 1 cylinder(12.5%). So if you really want to know what it might feel like, go out and pull a wire off, and drive it around for 15 minutes.This is Not recommended with expensive aftermarket ignitions,but works fine with factory ECUs.

As to the 8.75 and 3.23s. Well there is not much point in going here cuz your current 8.25 and 3.21s are almost exactly the same.Unless you need the reliability factor of the larger 8.75. If your current 8.25 has a good working SG in it, it can take a pretty good licking.