After driving a couple hundred miles in the Camaro with the M22 and 4.11 gear I decided a couple things... First thing was the close ratio gear set, although fun, is definitely not utilizing the nice fat torque curve of my 496. Second thing is the obvious fact that 3,500rpm at 70mph pretty much sucks, especially with a 4.25" stroke.

Considering this I decided to go with a "wide" ratio Autogear M23"W" trans with a 2.56 first gear and pair it with a new 3.55 rear gear set. Really the M23W is not all that wide of a spread, certainly a close ratio compared to the Tremec TKO 600 I had in a different car. I went with this combination so the effective first gear would be the same as it was with the 2.20 first gear and 4.11 rear gear.

This was my first time setting up a 12 bolt rear end, or any GM rear end for that matter so I was a little nervous about it but think it came out perfect. Gear pattern looks good, ZERO runout on the carrier, and .007" backlash. Took me a while but I got the rear end set up how I thought it should be. The carrier is a new series 3 Wavetrac 35 spline unit and the gears are US gear. NO NOISE after 20 miles :beers:

The engine makes so much torque I think the wide ratio actually benefits the power curve. Much more manageable 3,000rpm at 70mph compared to only 60mph before.

Glad you are happy with the changes. It should be easy to recoup some of the additional expense from the sale of the M22.

Good to hear you like the wide ratio and 3.55 gear. I have a 496 in my Chevelle with a wide ratio and 3.31 gear. Should be very close to the same. I haven't driven the car with the 496, but that combo was in it with the previous 396 and it seemed good.

Nice change! I also got over my fear of setting up gears and find it a little zen to set up the correct pattern. Always nice to learn a new skill.

I've got a 2.99 first gear in my M23. With the 5.14 gears in the rear it gets moving pretty quick. I use a 3.70 on the street. Tires are 31 inches tall.

I am running a 28" tire. I would love a 29" tall tire but seems hard to find....

How's that car doing Chuck?

Any "finished" photos?????:3gears:

Hey Everyone, I don't think our friend Chuck will mind me posting a photo.

Saturday, the Lions Automobilia Foundation and Museum had a Camaro 55th anniversary get together and we met up with Chuck there.

His car is everything you expect it to be and more is what I can say! Amazing attention to detail.

The sound through the dumps on fire-up is something.

Anyway, very, very cool build!

Cheers Chuck!
Anthony

Tim-

Funny you mention it, since the project has been "finished" the picture taking has slowed down... That said I have been enjoying the car from time to time. It really drives great. It pretty much drives like a stock car until you hammer the fun pedal! It will break the tires loose effortlessly in first, second and third!

I met AnthonyS on Saturday at the aforementioned Camaro Show. Nice to put a face to the name, he sold me the disc brake calipers that are on the car! Anthony, thank you for the kind words! Means a lot from someone with as much Camaro knowledge as you! We had a good time hanging out talking Camaros! His car has a really neat story... a real family heirloom! :biggthumpup:

A few pictures from the car show...

Here is the car with real Ansen Sprints. 15x4 front 15x8.5 rear. Moroso front runners and 275/60/15 M&H Racemasters. I did drive the car to another show with this set up.