Posted by Brian in Oregon on Saturday, January 06, 2001 at 6:34PM :
In Reply to: About 318 & 5.83 gears & 9.00x16 tires... posted by Brian in Oregon on Saturday, January 06, 2001 at 3:55PM :
I found my copy of Huguleys chart.
With 5.83 gears and 9.00x16 tires, the engine speed is 3200 rpm. The 230 is doing 2700 rpm at 45 mph, and at 2800 rpm, considered to be max sustained, the speed is 48 mph.
Swapping in 4.89 gears will get you to almost 68 mph at 3200 rpm. You sure aren't going to be running stock rims and tires at this speed, due to balancing problems. But given money, anything can be resolved, and custom rims are available. Most guys will go to 16.5" rims if they go this far.
You can get to 55 mph with 4.89 gears and the orignal 230 at 2700 rpm. However, I daresay that is probably on a flat road with no headwind. The 230 simply doesn't have the poop to push the M37 up a mountain grade at 55 mph with 4.89 gears and remain in 4th gear. Thge moment you downshift to 3rd, you instantly reduce your max speed.
Myself, I'm not interested in doing more than 55 mph, so a 318 swap, stock NP420, stock 5.83's and stock 9.00x16 NDT tires suits me for now.
Don't forget the lousy brakes, which are just adaquate for 45 mph but leave a lot to be desired at 55 mph and up. A classic case of dominos, if you get more speed from your M37, the next domino topples and you have to do something to increase braking power. For most folks, thats going to disc brakes on at least one axle. For those who get around 65-70 mph, and judging from a few posts there are some, if it were me I sure would put disc brakes on all four wheels.
|
Follow Ups:
This board is powered by the Mr. Fong Device from Cyberarmy.com |