[uiuc240]

You can't do what you're talking about.

Gearing is gearing.

In the standard 5 speed box, the ratios are as follows:

1st = 3.321:1
2nd = 1.902:1
3rd = 1.308:1
4th = 1.00:1
5th = 0.79:1

final drive is 4.08:1

So you take 4.08 and multiply that by the internal ratio to get the over all ratio.  Hence, 1st is really 13.55:1...meaning that 7000 rpms at the flywheel will get you 516 rpm at the rear axle.  If you have the stock tires, which have a circumference of roughly 76", you'll be going 37.13 mph.  I don't feel like typing out the math.  Trust me...or check for yourself.

Anyway, then, when you shift, you'll land at a given rpm.  Let's say 5000 for the sake of simplicity.  If you LOWER the number of the ratio, to effectively make the gear LOOOOONNNNNGGER...you will NOT land at 5000 rpm when you shift.  Just imagine going from 1st to 3rd instead of from 1st to 2nd.  That's effectively what you'd be doing.  And if you do that, you'll see that you no longer land at 5000 rpm when you shift.  Make sense?  Try it if you don't understand what I'm saying.

Point is, you can't have your cake and eat it too.  You either have long ratios spaced far apart that require a wide powerband and lots of horsepower...or you have close ratios, a short powerband, and a revvy motor.  You pick.

Personally, for me, I want the 3.92:1 rear end out of a J30 to mate to my SR.  That would lenghten the ratios by 4% or so, and give me just a tad more range in each gear.  Perfect.

End.

Eric