[logansdad]

[QUOTE=capev86;5943735]Gear Vendors sucks....costs tons of money plus all that custom fab work required and the o/d ratio isn't very good (that's why Copperhead was still turning 2500rpm at 60). these really belong under a motor home or in a vehicle that is always towing heavy loads where the extra power and gear splitting is most useful. otherwise just a modern overdrive trans and moderate rear axle will net you the best mpg. my dad's 87 burb c10 didn't really lose any mpg going from a 3.08 to 3.73 (soft gear made for a lot of shift hunting) and his current 99 burb c1500 350 w/ 3.42 rear gets 22mpg on the highway.


i see no reason to change when the original 307 in my 72 Burb C20 runs so beautifully (thanks to a Petronix kit and a Q-jet swap). but those modern LS engines are awesome and you can't beat fuel injection on cross country trips (carbs don't automatically adjust to altitude changes). i'd love to stick the 4" stroker crank from a z06 motor in a 5.3 for the best balance of pulling power and economy.[/QUOTE
Im sorry you feel that way about the gear vendor. I know first hand the usefulness these units have. The only fab work is shortening the drive shaft it bolts up to the transmission. As far as more gears equals more mpgs just take the new dodge truck with an8 speed that gets 25 mpg. Do you think that would happen with a 4 speed? I will be towing approx 10k cross country but live in flat country Florida. Having 8 speeds will improve my particular situation maybe not for everyone.

Copperhead also was a 3 speed with a low rear gear made to smoke the back tires. Not to save gas and daily drive.
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