V6 T5, 3.50 first gear too low for a GT6?

Started by Richard/SIA, January 28, 2014, 04:53:56 AM

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Richard/SIA

I found a WC T5 from a 1988? V6 Camaro locally for $350.00
The metal tag which would tell me details like actual gear ratios is missing.
It comes with an aluminum Chevy bell that I should be able to use with a Muncie for my El Camino 4 speed swap.

My engine will be a hopped up 225 Buick V6.

According to my web searches GM used the T-5 in F-body cars behind all engines.
In general, the I4/V6 got the following ratios:
1st – 3.50 2nd – 2.14 3rd – 1.36 4th – 1.00 5th – 0.78

Compared to the old Muncie's I am more familiar with.
Year 1963-1965    Type: M20   Rings: None   Ratio: 2.56 / 1.91 / 1.48 / 1.00 / 3.16
Year 1966-1974    Type: M20   Rings: Two    Ratio: 2.52 / 1.88 / 1.46 / 1.00 / 3.11
Year 1963-1974    Type: M21   Rings: One    Ratio: 2.20 / 1.64 / 1.28 / 1.00 / 2.27
Year 1967-1974    Type: M22   Rings: None   Ratio: 2.20 / 1.64 / 1.28 / 1.00 / 2.27

My concern is that a 3.50 first is going to be like the granny gear in my truck, almost never used.
I have not found my rear axle yet so probably have a choice of ratios to offset the 3.50 first to some degree.
But I do not want such a tall rear that fifth lugs the engine.
The Alfa axle I was hoping to use is probably a 4.56 ratio, 4.10 optional.
Looks like I will want more like 3.54 - 3.70 gears.

The real question become, will I be unhappy with the low 3.50 V6 first gear ratio?
Or is it really a better gear for my V6?

mgb260

Richard, The 3.5 first ratio is kind of rare for the V6 Camaro/Firebird T5. 3.75 and 4.05 are more common. The 4.05 is a real granny gear and needs around a  3.07 rear gear. The V8 T5 has a 2.95 first. Mustang T5  first gears were mostly 3.35.  Most like around 12 as the overall first X rear ratio. You really can't  compare the old 4 speed to 5 speed gear splits. Plus a big V8 can get away with a much lower numeric  first gear. For example if the T5 had a 3.5 first  X 3.45 rear = 12.075 overall ratio.