I don't have the ele. od. option on my car, so I'm
>running at a pretty high rpm lvl at interstate speeds.(4500@
>70mph.) My question is, which would be better, an ele. od, or taller rear
>end gearing. Price would have to be a factor here as well.
>Has anyone on the list had experience here? Thanks in advance,
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If price is the overriding factor then it would be cheaper and easier to
just swap rear ends. However, with an overdrive, your acceleration will be
the same as it is currently, but you will have the convince of more relaxed
cruising. With the taller rear you WILL lose some of the acceleration you
now have. The overdrive is quite a bit of work, requiring different
transmission with overdrive (or at least the mainshaft will have to be
changed, and an OD adaptor installed in place of the tail shaft) with a
different rear mount or possibly modifications to the existing one. Wiring
for the relays, switches, etc. Probably a shorter driveshaft and
speedometer cable. No trivial endeavor, but one which can be done by most
any competent mechanic. I did the very same thing to my GT6+ and ALSO
changed the rear to the lower one (3:89) that normally comes with GT's with
overdrive, replacing the 3:27 that was installed as stock. I now have
increased acceleration and the same cruising at freeway speeds that I had
before. Best thing I ever did to the car!
Barry Schwartz (San Diego) bschwart@pacbell.net
72 V6 Spitfire (daily driver)
70 GT6+ (when I don't drive the Spit)
70 Spitfire
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