Gears 3.23 to What ?

[Tahoewhat]

Alright got a noob question, i recently found out i have 3.23 gears on my Tahoe, which explains why its so slow taking off, but good on the freeway. Well, im tired of the slow take off, feels like im taking off in 2nd gear. But reading up just all around, looks like some go to 4.10. I know basically nothing about gear changes. So if i go to say some 3.73, b/c im used to my trans am, (i know different) but that just seems to be a good all around gear. Right? IM assuming that would help out quite a bit, or would 4.10's be better. Im not looking to loose to much mpg, just trying to get this big heavy turd to take off, after take off its fine. How will doing gears effect the mph, like on freeway speeds, 70 - 80mph. Not really a big difference or would it? Ive seen threads about it, but some on here loose me, or are about tire changes.

And wheres a good place to get them? And does it have to be for a tahoe or is a silverado/gmc the same?


Sorry for noob question, but gears and rear ends are foreign to me.

(Its for a 05 tahoe, 2wd, 5.3)


Thanks for help,

Mike

 

[blueflamed03]

Mike, how tall are your tires? Mine are just over 31" and I went 4.11's...feel much better around town, but I do 95% around town.

 

[THE YETI]

go with 3.73. I put 4.10 on my supercharged silverado with a 285/40/22 in back and hated it. It was fun till you got to 80, then sucked.

 

[Tahoewhat]

Mike, how tall are your tires? Mine are just over 31" and I went 4.11's...feel much better around town, but I do 95% around town.

Well honestly dont know, never measured them, but i have 285/50/20

go with 3.73. I put 4.10 on my supercharged silverado with a 285/40/22 in back and hated it. It was fun till you got to 80, then sucked.

This is kind of the reason im thinking 3.73, i drive around alot, freeway, in town, out of town, all over the place. So im going 80 one minute then 40.

How much generally would something like this cost to change gears. and a place to buy them thats not outrageous.

 

[05Yukon23]

I'm interested in this as well. I just found out mine had the 3.23s. I get much better gas mileage than most it seems though. Would switching to 3.73s hurt that much?

 

[Tahoewhat]

anyone with 3.73's. didnt see thehoe's thread about his gears. Been reading it.

 

[blueflamed03]

yours is same as mine, I have 285/50/20...I vote 4.11's

 

[ezdaar]

if you do any long term freeway driving dont go 4.11. your milage will fall off alot unless your 35" tire or bigger

The ratio is like this.
2.73 for under 31,
3.73 for over 31" but under 35".
4.11 for 35" up to 37"
4.56 for over 37".

Tire size plays a MAJOR factor in your final ratio. if its mismatched you get big negative impacts.

You can change the gear to compensate for loss in engine power at various RPMS, but theres ALWAYS a trade. more bottom looses top. more mid looses bottom and top and more top less bottom.

This is all common knowledge on every drag racing and 4x4 forum on the web.

For a daily driven vehical, dont go over 3.73. theres simply no need.
You would be better off staying 3.23 and building up the engine alil. Give it more power in the RPM range that the vehical currently suffers.

 

[M3PO]

For a daily driven vehical, dont go over 3.73. theres simply no need.
You would be better off staying 3.23 and building up the engine alil. Give it more power in the RPM range that the vehical currently suffers.

Agreed, if you do freeway driving and out of town trips, stick with stock. Its a big heavy truck, the power-weight ratio of your TA probably has you spoiled. Take a road trip in third gear, and see if that changes your mind about making a drastic change (not being a smartass, but 30 minutes in third will help you make your decision).

 

[Tahoewhat]

if you do any long term freeway driving dont go 4.11. your milage will fall off alot unless your 35" tire or bigger

The ratio is like this.
2.73 for under 31,
3.73 for over 31" but under 35".
4.11 for 35" up to 37"
4.56 for over 37".

Tire size plays a MAJOR factor in your final ratio. if its mismatched you get big negative impacts.

You can change the gear to compensate for loss in engine power at various RPMS, but theres ALWAYS a trade. more bottom looses top. more mid looses bottom and top and more top less bottom.

This is all common knowledge on every drag racing and 4x4 forum on the web.

For a daily driven vehical, dont go over 3.73. theres simply no need.
You would be better off staying 3.23 and building up the engine alil. Give it more power in the RPM range that the vehical currently suffers.

I do quite a bit of freeway driving, not necesarily long trips, just mostly freeway driving, i hate the feeders here, no one knows how to drive. So i am thinking of going to 3.73. It seems to be a good mid point.

Guess i'll do a search on the drag and 4x4 forums, b/c i never get on those. Probly some good info, i just found ls1truck recently, thats a pretty good site also.

Ive thought about staying w/ the 3.23 also, but what would help give it more low end power, so it goes from 0 to whatever. Sitting at a light and being able to move, instead of feeling like im in 2nd taking off? Headers? Also, this is my daily, i drive alot.

thanks for you input, greatly appreciated, now just have to let it soak in. lol

(also was that fire near your house the other day) hope not

Agreed, if you do freeway driving and out of town trips, stick with stock. Its a big heavy truck, the power-weight ratio of your TA probably has you spoiled. Take a road trip in third gear, and see if that changes your mind about making a drastic change (not being a smartass, but 30 minutes in third will help you make your decision).

Yeah, the TA has me spoiled, and it was 6spd, oddly enough, this is the first auto i ever had, i miss being able to hold the power and change it when i want to. Ha ha. to the comment about drive in 3rd, is that what 4.11 would be like? If so forget that, ive done it by mistake once and liked the power range being there, rpms, but not for the amount of driving i do.