Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Eyres
The short, smart*ss answer is, It doesn't matter. Because the one with the best e.t. wins.
I don't pay much attention to trap speed because I dont' care how fast you're going in the traps if you're behind me. 
With the 4.10 gears I trap 117+ with a stock motor and boltons. That's a whole lot better than my early efforts with stock gears that trapped a best of 110-111mph.
The short gears allow you to keep the engine up in it's most powerful rev range for more of the time during the race. Someone running the quarter in two or three gears spends more time climbing up to max power, as in your example. That's another way to explain the advantage of short gears.
Of course, those with a torque converter overcome that disadvantage in another way. But that's a whole other discussion. |
Tee-hee, reason I asked about mph as it is the indicator of power, moreso than ET.
I've noticed that sometimes in a 1/4 mile drag situation, that with lower rear gears, that while ET can increase, trap mph can decrease, all else equal.
If I am reading correctly, you have been experiencing highr MPH trap speed with your lower gearing? Interesting.
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I just ran some numbers:
7000rpm/3.45 gear/25.5"tire 1:1 4th gear gives 154mph
7000rpm/3.73/25.5"/4th gear gives 142mph
7000rpm/4.10.25.5"/4th gear is 130mph
7000rpm/4.30/25.5/4th gear gives 123mph
7000rpm/4.56/25.5/4th gear is 116mph
7000rpm/4.88/25.5/4th gear is 109mph
7000rpm/5.13/25.5/4th gear is 104mph, **** to 5th and 138mph is attaiable at 700rpm, then shift again into 6th gear and 211mph is attainable at 7000rpm. 5.13's in 6th gear at 70mph would be revving 2325rpm. 7000rpm in 1st gear with 5.13's gives you 39mph.
Looks like the amount of power the engine makes, will affect just what gearing you would need to run, IF the goal is best 1/4 mile ET.
The lower the rear gear (higher number) also helps to reduce driveshaft/trans/clutch/engine loading. Everything after, starting with the ring gear to the tires would experience increased loading.