2.3l manual with overdrive turn o/d into real gear?

foxmartin1 · #1 02-19-2012, 07:23 PM

So i want to turn my overdrive gear into a real gear for a little more power and what not. I'm having my slave cylinder and clutch replaced soon do the tranny will already be open. Is there a way to do this or am I thinking wishfully? It's a 1996 xlt with a five speed w/od being the fith gear

tomboy · #2 02-19-2012, 07:52 PM

Not sure what you mean by turning it into a real gear, 5th is a real gear, if you want more power leave it in 4th.

pooleo · #3 02-19-2012, 07:53 PM

lol, yea, what he said ^^^

5th is a real gear.

foxmartin1 · #4 02-22-2012, 12:10 AM

I get that its a real gear but it doesn't give me much pulling power and fourth doesn't give much power above 90. Then when I throw it into fifth it doesn't pull it kind of just keeps a constant speed.

tomboy · #5 02-22-2012, 05:31 AM

Sounds like you're expecting too much out of that 2.3, if its burn up the highway power you're wanting, trade it for a late modle one with the 4.0, or drop in a 347.

pooleo · #6 02-22-2012, 06:39 AM

you need to find out your gears and tire size. My guess is you have tires that are too big and it lugs in 5th. This is a common issue with the 4cyl.

FireRanger · #7 02-22-2012, 06:57 AM

You need more power when exceeding 90mph in a 16 year old 2.3 compact pickup truck??? Do you regularly engage in pursuits?

Rango88 · #8 02-22-2012, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireRanger

You need more power when exceeding 90mph in a 16 year old 2.3 compact pickup truck??? Do you regularly engage in pursuits?

New objective: he might need a turbo to reach 120 MPH

quackaholic · #9 02-22-2012, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rango88

New objective: he might need a turbo to reach 120 MPH

Lol, I second that

foxmartin1 · #10 02-22-2012, 02:37 PM

I'm guessing it has the stock gear ratio and it has 205/75r14 tires. The reason i want to go faster is I tend to travel a lot and I enjoy going fast on the highway. For example i was coming home from vacation in connecticut to Maine and did it in 2.5 hours. It should have been a four hour drive. Up until now I've ownsd sports cars and this is my first truck. I want to drop the front three inches and the rear 2 and possibly widen the wheel base so that it will handle like a sports car. Someone i work with siggested putting in a new rear ratio because it will completely change how the ttansmission gears handle.

pooleo · #11 02-22-2012, 02:39 PM

inb4thelock

foxmartin1 · #12 02-22-2012, 02:56 PM

Inb4thelock?

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Im thinking about a 3:42 ratio

pooleo · #13 02-22-2012, 02:59 PM

pffff, you can go 3.27 or 3.55. I dont think ford came with 3.42. At any rate, you probably already have one of those two, so 3.73 or 4.10 would be in order.

FireRanger · #14 02-22-2012, 06:31 PM

You do realize the speed limiter doesn't care what mods you do to the truck? It will cut power at 93ish MPH. It does that to protect the foolish driver from himself. You do not need to go faster than that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxmartin1

Inb4thelock?

In before the lock. Implies you've started a rather stupid thread that will probably get locked.

foxmartin1 · #15 02-22-2012, 08:24 PM

I've had the truck to 100 before the limited kicked in.

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I only mention 3:42 because that is what was in my firebird although that's gm didn't know if the same ratio could be used. 3:42 is low end torque and high end top speeds

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Okay found a better way to explain my question. "" Overdrive" is the term for gear ratios that are lower than 1:1w – a situation where the engine is turning slower than the drive shaft. Overdrive gears are appropriate when very little torque is needed – the vehicle is no longer accelerating –and can deliver the best fuel economy." I have gears 1-4 the one labeled o/d can i make it a gear like the other four rather than a less than 1:1 ratio.