It's a big drop all righty, but it occurs at a slower roadspeed than if you had a 2.66.
Example with 3.55s and 27s
6000 in 2.66 is 51mph,and in second it's 4330
but in 3.09,it's only 44, and in second its 3730.
With the 3.09, you get into second a bit sooner, that's all; and if it's still spinning........ it makes no difference.
But I guess you could always take 3.09 first to 7000/51 mph, and then second will be the same.
But say you went with 3.91s. Well you'd probably want to short-shift first, soz you'd have something to pull from in second.
For instance, again with 27s, you could out-shift first at 5500@ 37mph and get into second at 3410. Ohhhhhhh , that big 286cam might not like that,lol . But the car is sitting at 37mph, so I think she'll get over it lol. There is a lot less wind-resistance at 37 compared to at 44, or especially at 51, so that leaves more power to accelerate.
I ran 4.30s x 3.09 for a bit with a 360 and that was nuts, cuz the 360 wound those up in a heartbeat. 3.91s were better, and for me 3.55s are just right.... for a 360 with a
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One problem I often see, is when cruising in traffic at 32mph, which might be 2700rpm with 3.55s and 27s. That big 286 cam is not gonna like trying to pull from 2700 if you feel the urge to nail it. So on the downshift into 3.09, the Rs
will climb to 4360, and away you go. But the deal is you had to downshift.
But there is no good gear, for a 273 with a 286 cam, to pull away in second. Even 4.30s will only increase the second-gear Rs at 32 mph..to 3280rpm.
So IMO, I would gear it for a good blast off from 32 mph,in 3.09 low, with whatever gears it takes to make me smile. ....... and with 3.55s that is 4360 with 27s.....which looks pretty good to me,lol.
And let the rest be what it will be. It's a streeter; it's gonna have other problems, chief if which is traction.
If you don't care about 32 mph, then work it out for whatever speed you do care about.
Myself, I like to be at or just over, the powerpeak, when I hit about 60/65 mph in second gear. And the magic number is 3.61s.... rounds to 3.55s. But my cam is a 276 advertised.........and so;Your power peak will be considerably higher.For you, I see 3.91s in your future....... and overdrive. 3.91s would get you 60=5800 in 2nd........and in 4th, 60=3030..... A GVOD would drop that to 2365.
Yeah the starter-gear is racy at 12.08, but so is your cam.
You'll love it, I know I did,lol. But yeah traction will be the big deal.
