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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,114 Posts1,056,605 Members48,450 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 940 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 940 | Should I stick with the 3OTT after a upgrading to a 3.55 ring and pinion from Patrick's or will the granny 1st in a SM420 4spd actually become usable for street driving?
I'm looking to gain a bit for the highway without killing my 216 but I don't want to lose too much off the line power. My thinking was that the 4spd with the 3.55 might be a good combo. ...and an easier/cheaper task than a T5/open drive/new rear swap.
Also, In trying to keep all the hot rodding somewhat traditional, a T5 just doesn't seem right. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 | First gear will still be useless with 3.55 rears, but your other gears will be more roadable. Reverse will still be terribly slow. Patrick used to recommend a 4 speed passenger transmission from the 60's, but they are getting hard to find and I'm not sure if the adapters to adapt them to the torque tube are still available. Just a plain old SM318 3 speed does a pretty good job in front of the 3.55 rears. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | the 3.55 won't bog you down - unless you're planning to carry pretty heavy loads, the granny 1st won't be any more useful than with a 3.90
Bill | | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 940 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 940 | That's good news, I'd rather keep the 3OTT I've got. As it is, with my 16x7.00 tires I do just fine on the highway with the stock running gear but I'd like to make longer drives (+/-5hrs) a bit less worrisome. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,293 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,293 | The 3OTT transmission will keep you from violating the 'NO BURN-OUT' policy at the Cruise-ins.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 940 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 940 | HA! ...but the 216 already does that.  | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 | When you guys change to the 3:55 gears, do they sell speedometer gears to correct the speedometer??
John | | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 940 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 940 | Yep. Patrick's has em listed near where the 3.55 ring and pinion is listed. | | |
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