3.23 or 3.55 Behind a 318

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Confusedcuda

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Tell me what would does everyone prefer behind a 318, the 3.23 or 3.55? Is there much of a difference? which would make the little small block seem quicker? any thought?
 
Not much difference at all. Run a 3.91 and you'll love it.
 
Most people run a 3.23 because they are more plentiful. Given a choice I would go 3.55. My 69 Dart has 3.21 and my 68 Barracuda has 3.91.
 
Somebody asked the key question: how much highway driving are you going to do? I've had 3.91, 3.73, 3.55, 3.23 and 2.76 under Darts with both a 340 and a 318. Anything lower (numerically higher) than 3.23 are a problem if you are going to cruise at 70 for hundreds of miles. If the car was going to stay in town and never really see much over 45 or 50, go with the 3.91s!!!
 
I ran 4.30s on the street 12 miles to work one way for a tick over four years in my 65 360 Valiant. It turned 2800 RPM on the interstate at 55MPH with my big toe on the gas just enough to keep it there. 28x11.50 15 ET streets on the back. I loved every minute of it. Lemmie tell you, if somebody "THOUGHT" they had somethin and pulled next to me at 55, all I had to do was mash the loud pedal. No down shift, no nuthin. If you want PERFORMANCE, put a performance gear in it. 3.23s and 3.55s ain't performance gears. If you're gonna do it, DO IT. Otherwise, it's still got stock gears. Stock ain't no fun.
 
It depends on how you are going to drive it. If you'll be on the highway a lot, trying to keep up with modern traffic, 3.23's would be best. I love 3.55's for everyday, have them in my Charger, had them in my 71 Fury Wagon.
 
It depends on how you are going to drive it. If you'll be on the highway a lot, trying to keep up with modern traffic, 3.23's would be best. I love 3.55's for everyday, have them in my Charger, had them in my 71 Fury Wagon.
Pretty much what I was going to say. I have 3.55s in my 69 340 (375HP) 4 speed and I really like it. About 3100 RPM on the highway, so no problem. 3.91s would be OK in town, but unpleasant on the highway.
 
depends on your cam and power output.I hated 3.91.disliked 3.55 and like 3.23.
I'm going to be using 2.94 next and i think i will like them the best.
i bet your really confused now!
 
2.94 is a good compromise gear

still very good on extended highway drives but more grunt than 2.76

It was the default gear in 1966 8 3/4 so there are a LOT of them out there


355 is not terrible on the highway.

very noticeably easier than 3.91

...and again noticeably more grunt than 2.23
 
To me, it is more about tire diameter with gears - not which engine.

For all around driving with 14" tires. 3.23.

For all around driving with 15" tires. 3.55.
 
To me, it is more about tire diameter with gears - not which engine.

For all around driving with 14" tires. 3.23.

For all around driving with 15" tires. 3.55.

Alaskan_TA- 14”/15” is the rim diameter not the outside diameter. Lol!
 
Alaskan_TA- 14”/15” is the rim diameter not the outside diameter. Lol!

I know that.

I also know the tire diameters that go on those rims affect the final drive ratio & 15" tires are typically taller than 14's - thus my statements above. :)
 
I've got 3.23 gears in mine. Usually not much highway use. However, we're traveling about 300 miles (from metro-Detroit to St Ignace MI (and back)) for the St Ignace car show.
 
I've got 3.23 gears in mine. Usually not much highway use. However, we're traveling about 300 miles (from metro-Detroit to St Ignace MI (and back)) for the St Ignace car show.
Your driving on I 75 in an old car on the weekend. You better stay in the slow lane!
 
why do you guys prefer the 3.55's over 3.23? I didn't see any advantage but found the 3.55's annoying on the highway?
 
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