Gear Vendor Users?
#599958
01/31/10 06:01 PM
01/31/10 06:01 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
racealittle
OP
pro stock
|
OP
pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
|
How much of a change in mpg with a 440, 727 and your choice of gear?
How much converter are you using?
Ease of installation in an E body?
Thanks
Too many cars, too many parts, too little coin, too little space to work in, too little time left to make it all happen!
Update: down to one ride, still too many parts, a little more jingle in the pocket, gaining space, and it's going to happen this year!
|
|
|
Re: Gear Vendor Users?
[Re: racealittle]
#599962
01/31/10 09:29 PM
01/31/10 09:29 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 249
Sonora, CA
68X426
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 249
Sonora, CA
|
If it helps, in a B-body, with a Hemi (now 502 ci and 600+ horse), 727 and 4.10 Dana, 2800 converter (Dynamic TCT), went from 10 to 14 mpg on the highway. I wouldn't/couldn't run the 4.10s without the GV. Around town is still about 5 mpg  I hear it's an easy fit for E-bodies.
The 12 Scariest Words in the English Language:
We are here from the Government and
we want to help you.
1968 Plymouth Road Runner, Hemi and much more
1968 Dodge Charger, 318 and not much else
1958 Dodge Pick Up, 383 and loud
1966 Dodge Van, Slant 6 and cool
|
|
|
Re: Gear Vendor Users?
[Re: 68X426]
#599963
01/31/10 10:14 PM
01/31/10 10:14 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,902
Athens, Greece
Pyper70
master
|
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,902
Athens, Greece
|
440/727/3,55's. 2400 flash converter
In a 69 Charger. I drove her from LA to Atlanta with the OD on all the way. 2610 miles and 155 gallons of gas ( I was keeping track ) Averages out to 17mpg. Not bad I say. The whole time I was doing 80mph and goin 2800rpm
Family owned 1969 Charger R/T DualQuad 440/727/GVO/3.55s
|
|
|
Re: Gear Vendor Users?
[Re: Pyper70]
#599964
02/01/10 05:52 AM
02/01/10 05:52 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 283
N.E. England
Roppa440
super street
|
super street
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 283
N.E. England
|
440/727 4.30 rear gears. Fitted the GV unit 7 years ago.
With the OD on I am doing 3200rpm at 70mph.
OD off and it's 4100rpm at the same speed. I get about 11 miles to the US gallon at this speed from my 550hp engine.
Last edited by Roppa440; 02/01/10 10:45 AM.
2002 Chevrolet Corvette 5.7 LS1
2011 Alpha Romeo Giulietta Veloce 1.6 JTD
Because running a Mopar in the UK is getting TOO expensive!!
|
|
|
Re: Gear Vendor Users?
[Re: Roppa440]
#599965
02/01/10 10:15 AM
02/01/10 10:15 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
racealittle
OP
pro stock
|
OP
pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
|
Quote:
440/727 4.30 rear gears. Fitted the GV unit 7 years ago.
With the OD on I am doing 3200rpm at 70mph.
OD off and it's 4100rpm at the same speed. I get about 11 US gallons to the mile at this speed from my 550hp engine.
I'm sure you mean 11 miles to the gallon.
Thanks everyone. I'm trying to get a perspective of the realities people are acheiving with their combinations and the use of a Gear Vendor unit. Everyone drives different, or builds a combination for a specific need or purpose. I have an idea how certain combinations consume fuel and what the inside of the car can be like at cruise conditions.
Any and all input is appeciated.
Too many cars, too many parts, too little coin, too little space to work in, too little time left to make it all happen!
Update: down to one ride, still too many parts, a little more jingle in the pocket, gaining space, and it's going to happen this year!
|
|
|
Re: Gear Vendor Users?
[Re: 360view]
#599969
02/01/10 12:31 PM
02/01/10 12:31 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
racealittle
OP
pro stock
|
OP
pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
|
Quote:
If any of you all with Gear Vendors units,
or someone who has just bought a new one,
would take a torque wrench
and find out how much
torque it takes to rotate the input shaft when the unit is not connected to anything,
that would be a nice volunteer thing to measure and post,
so that we could make a guess at how much horsepower the Gear Vendors unit consumes being in the drivetrain.
Their website claims 1 hp loss per 400 hp. So that would be almost no parasitic loss when disengaged.
Too many cars, too many parts, too little coin, too little space to work in, too little time left to make it all happen!
Update: down to one ride, still too many parts, a little more jingle in the pocket, gaining space, and it's going to happen this year!
|
|
|
Re: Gear Vendor Users?
[Re: dragaddict]
#599972
02/02/10 10:40 AM
02/02/10 10:40 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
racealittle
OP
pro stock
|
OP
pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
|
Quote:
Have one in a 69 Coronet with 440 & 727. Have 2400 convertwer and 4:10 gears. Drove the Racine 2 yrs back for power tour and car is a blast. Had 3:23 before and not bad but car is so much more fun all around now. Would do it again. Lots of naysayers on here and there are other options but this was easy and used exsisting trans ect.
I know what you are saying. I like a 3.9 or 4.10, but I also like what a 3.23 has to offer. I haven't tried a 2.5 or 2.7 with a torquey big block.
I am considering starting off with the 3.23 gear. I have a very torquey motor. I really want to travel with the car. I have 3.91 and 4.10 gears and thought that I would play with that down the road when I tire of long road trips.
The other option is to put the Dana back in the car. I want to remove the 4.56 and put a 3.54 in it. I have the 4.10 gear set for it. Decisions, decisions.
I know the 3.54 is the best compromise and will work with any motor I have.
Did you have to change anything other than the speedo gear when changing from 3.23 to 4.10?
Too many cars, too many parts, too little coin, too little space to work in, too little time left to make it all happen!
Update: down to one ride, still too many parts, a little more jingle in the pocket, gaining space, and it's going to happen this year!
|
|
|
Re: Gear Vendor Users?
[Re: racealittle]
#599973
02/02/10 10:48 AM
02/02/10 10:48 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822
Colorado
denfireguy
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822
Colorado
|
To calculate the financial return on an overdrive conversion, set a price for a gallon of gas. In this case, I will use price of $4 a gallon. I hope this is a real horrible estimate of future gas prices. I am using 10,000 miles a year for driving. I am using 15 mpg before adding the overdrive.
Before:
10000 miles / 15 mpg = 666.66 gallons of gas.
Cost = 666.66 X $4 = $2,666.66 per year
Add overdrive and you get 25% better gas mileage or 18.75 mpg
After:
10000 / 18.75 mpg = 533.33 gallons of gas.
Cost = 533.33 X $4 = $2133.33
Savings $533.32
Cost of overdrive = $2,695.00 (Barracuda 904 price)
Pay back 2695.00 / 533.32 = 5.05 years.
If you drive less, it will take longer (5000 miles, 10 years). If gas is cheaper, it will take longer ($3 gas, 6.73 years). And both, 13 years.
You will have to figure this out for your own needs but just follow the formula above and you can see for yourself.
It makes no sense to put one on a trailer queen.
The hard to calculate advantage is less wear and tear on your engine and transmission. Since they are spinning at 25% less RPM (at cruising speed), that savings is more than negligible.
The fun factor is impossible to calculate but it is enough that I probably will do the conversion myself, but not immediately. My rebuild is first priority, the overdrive will be a year or so out.
Puting 25% less money into Exxon's pocket: priceless.
Craig
Last edited by denfireguy; 02/02/10 10:50 AM.
2014 Ram 1500 Laramie, 73 Cuda
Previous mopars: 62 Valiant, 65 Fury III, 68 Fury III, 72 Satellite, 74 Satellite, 89 Acclaim, 98 Caravan, 2003 Durango
Only previous Non-Mopar: Schwinn Tornado
|
|
|
Re: Gear Vendor Users?
[Re: denfireguy]
#599974
02/02/10 01:08 PM
02/02/10 01:08 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
racealittle
OP
pro stock
|
OP
pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
|
Quote:
To calculate the financial return on an overdrive conversion, set a price for a gallon of gas. In this case, I will use price of $4 a gallon. I hope this is a real horrible estimate of future gas prices. I am using 10,000 miles a year for driving. I am using 15 mpg before adding the overdrive.
Before:
10000 miles / 15 mpg = 666.66 gallons of gas.
Cost = 666.66 X $4 = $2,666.66 per year
Add overdrive and you get 25% better gas mileage or 18.75 mpg
After:
10000 / 18.75 mpg = 533.33 gallons of gas.
Cost = 533.33 X $4 = $2133.33
Savings $533.32
Cost of overdrive = $2,695.00 (Barracuda 904 price)
Pay back 2695.00 / 533.32 = 5.05 years.
If you drive less, it will take longer (5000 miles, 10 years). If gas is cheaper, it will take longer ($3 gas, 6.73 years). And both, 13 years.
You will have to figure this out for your own needs but just follow the formula above and you can see for yourself.
It makes no sense to put one on a trailer queen.
The hard to calculate advantage is less wear and tear on your engine and transmission. Since they are spinning at 25% less RPM (at cruising speed), that savings is more than negligible.
The fun factor is impossible to calculate but it is enough that I probably will do the conversion myself, but not immediately. My rebuild is first priority, the overdrive will be a year or so out.
Puting 25% less money into Exxon's pocket: priceless.
Craig
I agree, the fun factor of the car is number one. I don't trailer any more. Gas is about $5.00 and going up with the new HST tax. Gas in the U.S. costs a premium dollar wise, but is still cheaper than Canada (in general). The GV unit paying for itself is about 3rd or fourth on the list of priorities for having a Gear Vendor.
I'm buying mine used and I feel 2 to 3 years it will pay for itself. If I sell the car, I'm likely to keep the drivetrain unless the deal covers costs.
The cost of a tow vehicle, trailer, insurance, maintenance, etc., easily pay for a new GV unit, if you think about it.
If I break down, I have to fix the car. That's part of the adventure. Hopefully there are enough Moparts people along the way. Otherwise, call a friend with the truck/ trailer, etc. to come join me on the vacation, (if I can't fix). It's a one time expense that I don't mind paying for.
Too many cars, too many parts, too little coin, too little space to work in, too little time left to make it all happen!
Update: down to one ride, still too many parts, a little more jingle in the pocket, gaining space, and it's going to happen this year!
|
|
|
Re: Gear Vendor Users?
[Re: racealittle]
#599975
02/02/10 06:42 PM
02/02/10 06:42 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822
Colorado
denfireguy
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822
Colorado
|
Quote:
If I break down, I have to fix the car. That's part of the adventure. Hopefully there are enough Moparts people along the way. Otherwise, call a friend with the truck/ trailer, etc. to come join me on the vacation, (if I can't fix). It's a one time expense that I don't mind paying for.
If you do around Denver, you will be rescued. Around Grand Junction, I am sure Mark will help you out.
Take care,
Craig
2014 Ram 1500 Laramie, 73 Cuda
Previous mopars: 62 Valiant, 65 Fury III, 68 Fury III, 72 Satellite, 74 Satellite, 89 Acclaim, 98 Caravan, 2003 Durango
Only previous Non-Mopar: Schwinn Tornado
|
|
|
Re: Gear Vendor Users?
[Re: denfireguy]
#599976
02/03/10 05:14 AM
02/03/10 05:14 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 283
N.E. England
Roppa440
super street
|
super street
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 283
N.E. England
|
Yes but.
You don't want to be driving at less than the stall speed of the torque converter all the time. You might want to monitor the trans temp if you do.
I have a stall speed of 3000rpm. So I picked a gear to give me that rpm at cruise speed. I make best engine torque somewhere between 3000-4000rpm too so the engine is more happy being up there.
2002 Chevrolet Corvette 5.7 LS1
2011 Alpha Romeo Giulietta Veloce 1.6 JTD
Because running a Mopar in the UK is getting TOO expensive!!
|
|
|
Re: Gear Vendor Users?
[Re: Roppa440]
#599977
02/03/10 10:18 AM
02/03/10 10:18 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
racealittle
OP
pro stock
|
OP
pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
|
Quote:
Yes but.
You don't want to be driving at less than the stall speed of the torque converter all the time. You might want to monitor the trans temp if you do.
I have a stall speed of 3000rpm. So I picked a gear to give me that rpm at cruise speed. I make best engine torque somewhere between 3000-4000rpm too so the engine is more happy being up there.
Thanks, you are the second to forwarn me on stall of the converter. I'm starting off with a factory 2400 from a small block. The previous cars it was used in showed it could perform and cruise well. Dropping to a 2.5 final may not put me exactly in the zone, but I don't want any less converter. The oddball motor I'm starting off with is a compromise that delivers a broad, fat torque curve and some fuel economy considering it's a 440.
I have much to accomplish over the next 2 months. This car has to see the road by spring.
Too many cars, too many parts, too little coin, too little space to work in, too little time left to make it all happen!
Update: down to one ride, still too many parts, a little more jingle in the pocket, gaining space, and it's going to happen this year!
|
|
|
|
|
