[Billy44]

Hi I have been looking at some baracudas and would like to know a good final gear ratio for street and highway ? I have seen 3.23 ,
3.55 posi and 3:71 on 3 different cars that i like and i want to use this car on the street and be able to go on a road trip. The engines were a 383 in the 3.23 , and the other two had a 360 (rebuilt replacement for the original 318) any help would be appreciated, thank you.

 

[135SoHc]

Its not really a direct comparison but the Van with its 3.21 axle being driven by a non lockup 727 powered by a 318 2bbl is what I would consider borderline tolerable for highway cruising.

 

[dana44]

3,23 is good overall, but if you are going to be primary highway, drop 2.73s in there. With a 383 it just means you get just below redline at 50mph in first gear, second goes to around 95mph, but highway rpm is around 1800-2100rpm for 17-19mpg.

 

[valiant67]

If you run a larger rear tire, then the car will be more tolerant of the 3.2 or higher gears. I never had a problem on the highway with my 1979 Cordoba which has 3.2 gears and 225/70/15 tires. But 3.55 would be getting pretty steep without an overdrive.

 

[Bearhawke]

I had a 1974 Dodge 318 van with 3:23 gears and running P235/75R15 tires; the MPG was OK although I don't remember the exact numbers. Flip side; the real world performance wasn't bad, even climbing long hills.

 

[KOG]

And the 2.45 axle from a 74-76 318 A body should bolt in as well.

 

[TWX]

I run a 3.21 axle in my Cordoba with 255/60/15 tires if I remember correctly. Dad has 2.76 gears in his '73 Charger and even with the 318 (not stock) it's still plenty powerful for road trips and cruise-ins, which is his primary use.

A friend has something in the 3.4 range in a Monaco wagon with some lowish profile tire on a 17" wheel, with a gear vendors overdrive. He likes going very fast, so the poor-ratio OD works well enough for him.