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Installed new tach & am amazed at the gearing calculator
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sam_w
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Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 1479
Location: Petaluma, CA
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 2:13 pm    Post subject: Installed new tach & am amazed at the gearing calculator Reply with quote

I got my new tach installed in a mount to the left of the steering wheel. It is much easier to see than the 2" version in the dash.
But I am amazed at the results, I thought it was reading really low, but the calculations of a standard typ 181 tranny with 31x10.5 tyres on 15" wheels say that I can go over 70 MPH in third and should not really use top gear below 50 MPH
I will post another photo from the driver's eyepoint so you can see the set-up.
BTW I have a 2054 motor with twin Weber 40's, a big valve head from Aircooled.net at 9:1 compression, a counterbalanced crank and a A-1 Thing specific exhaust, so I can certainly pull top gear.
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randybriscoe
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Joined: December 26, 2007
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Location: chicago
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 26, 2015 8:24 am    Post subject: Re: Installed new tach & am amazed at the gearing calcul Reply with quote

31" tires? can you post a photo of the car? What I'd really like to see is a video of how that engine runs. This is asking a lot, I know. but...have a friend hold the camera/phone, while you pull through the gears.

With stock gears and those tires, is the car useable off road? In other words is first gear to tall?
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sam_w
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Location: Petaluma, CA
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 26, 2015 8:41 am    Post subject: Re: Installed new tach & am amazed at the gearing calcul Reply with quote

I have a great time driving with the SoCalBajas around the Mojave desert. Yes I have to slip the clutch sometimes when rock crawling, but I have no problems. I really like the 3" lifted front beam that goes with the 31" rear tyres. Also I have a Quaife LSD. A group of Things are planning an off road party at Hollister hills SVRA on super bowl Sunday, we have the place to ourselves. I'll add some pics from last time.
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randybriscoe
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 27, 2015 1:54 pm    Post subject: Re: Installed new tach & am amazed at the gearing calcul Reply with quote

I didn't notice you had so many pics out there...I went back and looked at your ride.

What changes were made in the rear suspension to accommodate those tires?
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sam_w
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Joined: March 07, 2002
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Location: Petaluma, CA
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 27, 2015 1:57 pm    Post subject: Re: Installed new tach & am amazed at the gearing calcul Reply with quote

the rear arms were rotated to a bit more than max, a notch filed to do it,

6" piece of sheet steel used to widen the rear fenders.

new cv joints used., i carry a spare axle, as only 12 bolts hold an axle in place.
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