I have had a lot of people tell me the stock final drive gear is best for drag racing. Why?

With my 2.3l and stock gearing I was banging off the limitor @ 8500rpms and trapping 128mph in 4th.

I can see where you have a built 2.0l and rev it out to 10K or more you shouldn't need to shift into 5th, but for a 2.3l wouldn't a 4.11, 3.73, or custom be better?

What about the 3.73? I rode in an Evo with the 3.73 and 500whp on pump, it pulled hard FOREVER! He could cruise on the highway in 4th at 2,000rpms doing like 70mph. I just remember him hammering it and it was forever before he had to switch gears.

Does the longer gear actually hurt you? How does it affect reliability, stress, or driving?

Is it possible for a custom gear to be made? Around 3.90? I know these questions are better suited for Shep or TRE, but I was wondering if anybody has gone through the same scenerio.

I'd prefer not having to shift into 5th drag racing, but I don't want it to be a PITA getting it out of the hole either.

 

For the 2.3's lower rev limit, a taller gear would be better... I think the 4.11 would be good... I'll say the same everyone else will... CALL SHEP!

On another note, the lower(numerically higher) gear ratio you go, the more of torque multiplier it is, and the quicker the car will accelerate... so you really want to match the gear with the max rpm of the engine... too much and you'll slow the car's acceleration down.

I think he can actually take your setup and pick the best gears for each gear and final drive based on your mods/power level, so if you're planning on staying with this setup you have now, he can make the "ultimate" trans. (I think thats what he calls it)