Final Drive Question?

[Bob 95 Talon]

Okay, I'm so new to this FWD stuff. I recently bought a 95 Talon 2.0 na 5 speed. From doing a bit of research I've found there is a final drive in the transmission. Now I'm a Jeep person that's built numerous rock crawlers including a 400 H.P. compitition rig. I still have and love my Jeeps but I found a second hobby. Enduro racing, and my Talon needs some oomph. It's the slowest car on the track. I do know that some other guys are running computers etc...

Now if it were a Jeep , I'd regear the rears with numericly higher gears. My question to everyone out there, Is this possible? Second gear is too short and third is too tall so if I lower my final drive ratio I will get a more stout second a be able to run third on the short track. I don't care about top end at all. The car will never see above 70mph ever again. It's fully gutted and caged and I want to be able to bounch off the rev limiter in third as I am now doing in second. I know I will be taking the life out of the engine but I don't care. I already bought a 97 Eclipse 2.0 5 speed as a backup. The class I run does not allow engine mods and limits tire size (width) but I don't see any harm in regearing?.

Thanks, Bob

 

[dr1665]

This is a tough one, man, but I'll try to help by pointing you in the right direction. People really don't do much of this sort of thing (if at all). A popular mod among guys with larger turbosystems installed is refered to as the "3.55" or Neon tranny mod. I've not done much research into this myself, but there is a version of Neon that came with a 3.55 final. The big turbo guys like this because it allows them to wind third out longer so they cross the traps in the quarter in the fat of the powerband in third, rather than having to make the call between over-reving or shifting into fourth. Also reduces engine speed while cruising on the highway.

Now, you'd have to search the manual trans forum on 2GNT (under performance/engine) to find out what Neons have which final, but I know the information is there. People generally go the other way.

For future reference, in case you didn't already know, your car has the Chrysler 420A motor and New Venture (NV) - T350 manual transmission in it.

You got any pictures of your car? Video of this enduro racing? We'd love to see it.

 

[Bob 95 Talon]

Hi Brian,

Yeah I know that it's quite the oppisite of what most people do. I had read about the Neon's 3.55's and that's what gave me the idea. I don't presently have any photo's of the car but will be sure to get some and will then post them. Well If there's anyone that knows of aftermarket gears for the final drive, please let me know. It's alot of fun and an affordable sport. You have to not be too attached to your car though. My car started out as a mint 95 with 88k miles and no dents and now after only three races there's not a straight panel on it.

Thanks, Bob

 

[VelocitàPaola]

For what it's worth, I've never heard of any aftermarket gear options available for our cars. There may be some sort of custom route that you can go with, but I'm not too well versed with transmissions, so I couldn't tell you for sure...

 

[dr1665]

For what it's worth, I've never heard of any aftermarket gear options available for our cars. There may be some sort of custom route that you can go with, but I'm not too well versed with transmissions, so I couldn't tell you for sure...

That's what I'm thining. I wonder if you could snag the final out of that spare, take it in to a tranny shop (perhaps one of your Jeep vendors, crafty guys, those Jeep owners), and see if A) they have something else that you could swap (I doubt it) or B) they could get something custom made for you. :shrug