The Perpetual "What Gearing Do I Run at This Track?" Thread

[Brad Smith]

Thanks Trout

[HayesCages]

Thanks Trout, see you over there.

LH

[Brad Smith]

Can anyone supply a starting point to gear Buttonwillow 14 CW for a FF1600 10:31?

[Ed Erlandson]

17/35
20/32
22/30
24/28

there are several variations one tooth up or down

running American Racers the cornering speed is lower and the gears are likely lower as

16/34
19/32
21/29
21/25

have fun

[Tom Duncan]

Looking for FF gear ratio recommendations for Auto Club Speedway/Fontana. The newest response I have found on this thread for "Fontana" is 8 years old, no results when searching on "Auto Club Speedway". The 8 year old results are:

20/30
22/29
21/24
25/25

Are those ratios still applicable?

I have an RG98K Van Diemen, Ford motor, LD200 gearbox, frankly can't remember what the final drive ratio is but most LD200 equipped FF's have been the same, its the other ratio from the common MK9 Club Ford ratio, been a while since I ran this car.

Thanks in advance.

Tom Duncan

[Neil_Roberts]

A better way to describe the gearing for a particular track is to just post the maximum speed in each gear, assuming no tire growth with speed to keep it simple. Stating it that way includes all of the other effects, such as rev limit, tire diameter, and final drive ratio. With that information, any racer can do the math to select ratios for their car given their particulars.

[Lenny T.]

Can anyone pass along the gearing for NJ Lightning coarse ? Honda with a 10:31. I'm thinking something close to Limerock ?

Thanks Lenny

[cgscgs]

I never thought I would have to ask this question: what gears for the road course at IMS? (Mk9 with 9:31).

[Jon Adams]

Gingerman gears FF ??

[mike g.]

I never thought I would have to ask this question: what gears for the road course at IMS? (Mk9 with 9:31).

Who is putting an event on at IMS??!

[michael bautz]

SVRA.

[GAC]

With a 10:31 and standard size rear tires, my Gingerman gears were 18:34, 20:31, 22:30, and 23:29.

[cgscgs]

Thanks for the bump Mike Green. Since its just down the street I decided to apply to run in the Indy SVRA event, and to my surprise was accepted (as a Club Ford).

I hope someone will have a suggestion regarding gears, maybe someone who ran at Ontario many years ago and still has their notes. There is only one really slow turn (behind the museum), followed by a VERY long stretch at full throttle. Seems like most of today's rovals have a lot more than 9 degrees of banking so I'm not sure what track might be similar. Maybe Pocono?

[GAC]

I would start out with Daytona gearing and go from there.

[cgscgs]

Last year (my first time at G'man) I ran 20:32, 21:30, 23:28, 25:26 with a 9:31. I wrote in my notes that second was too low so this year I'll try 22:30.

[cgscgs]

Not getting any replies to my inquiry about gears for IMS, I used Mid-Ohio ratios...mainly because that's my next race. Mostly I just wandered around the track, trying to find the line, and sometimes trying to find the turns! (mainly 1 and 7). 26:26 turned out to be fine for fourth, I hit 6500 rpm at the end of both straights which was enough for me.

[Tigaman]

I used Road America gears to put my old Tiga on the Sports 2000 pole at a high 1:37.

Worked well for me...

[NoLimits]

I plan to attend the 45th anniversary event at Barber. I've never been there and have no idea what gears to run. I have a 1984 Swift DB1 Honda with a Hewland gearbox MK9 9.31. Any help is appreciated.

[alangbaker]

After doing my research and looking at my available inventory of gears, I equipped my Van Diemen RF89 (9:31 final drive) with

Used (For next time)

16:30 16:30

20:27 19:27

24:28 24:28

25:24 24:24

Overall, I think the gearing was close and if I'd been able to get a slightly higher entry onto the straight AND if I'd been using the tail bodywork (not yet modified for a new exhaust mount), I might have been able to make use of the overdrive top gear. As it was, I was getting 6500 RPM at the end of the main straight.

And second gear should have definitely been 19:27, it was just too big a jump from 1st to 2nd for the 3 to 5 straight, and I'd have gotten better acceleration from turn 5 to turn 7 as well.

[Firesmith]

Would appreciate recommendations for Waterford gearing. Have searched but can't find anything.

Crossle 35f
10:31 R&P
Dunlop FF Tires

I have the ratios from Lamonts book but am wondering what you veterans like to run there.

Thanks!

Mike

[-pru-]

From my notes :

Swift DB1 w 10:31 and 22.5 rear tire diameter (speed at 6800 rpm)

1st : 17/34 (73)
2nd : 19/33 (85)
3rd : 20/31 (95)
4th : 21/29 (106)

Take care,

[kea]

[tim gaffney]

I have a 9:31 R&P

does anyone have those gears?

[kea]

18/32
20/31
21/29
23/28

[M.Sauce]

Anyone got starting gear set for Barber? Never been there.
Thanks Mike Sauce

[Earley Motorsports]

I have heard similar to Laguna Seca if that is any help.

[M.Sauce]

Thanks But I have never been to Laguna so I still need info.

[Raceworks]

Thanks But I have never been to Laguna so I still need info.

I haven't run an FF there yet, and if I did I don't know how relevant the Honda gearing is (I tend to like to keep them well off the rev limiter on the straights).

If you can track down any gearing for Carolina Motorsorts Park it should be pretty close, although Barber has more fast turns than CMP and fewer "creepers".

In the Mazdas take the hairpin at 40-45 mph (slowest point on the track), and I don't think we saw a top speed above 128 with the wing angles we run there.

[Bernard Bradpiece]

Thanks But I have never been to Laguna so I still need info.

Mike
Don't know if this is a help. I've been once in 2010 with Merlyn 11a. Was the one of the quickest VFF on the North East Coast back then. Could not get the gears right at the time but I noted that if I went again to go a bit lower and try:-
9:31
23" diameter tires (Dunlops)
18:33
20:31
22:29
21:25
Not a lot of straightway - front straight is the fastest, the back section is fast but up and down and several fast 3rd gear sweeping corners. 4 or 5 critical slow corners that need a good exit and good acceleration out for a decent lap time. If you are in a modern car you might want to start a tooth higher for the extra cornering speed.
Let us know how you fare.
Best
BB2

[Jnovak]

What is the top speed of a good FF at Laguna?

[efoxfield]

With a 13/36 I'm going to start with these ratios.
1st 16/34
2nd 17/30
3rd 20/30
4th 22/29
Ed Midgley

[efoxfield]

Also I'm running a Honda. 6750rpm redline.
Ed

[M.Sauce]

Guys- Thanks I think I have a ball park to start with.

16/35
18/32
20/30
22/28

[alangbaker]

Mike, do you also have a 13:36 final drive, or do you have something taller yet?

[M.Sauce]

10/31 ring and pinion

[alangbaker]

10/31 ring and pinion

Then you need to use taller ratios that were recommended for a 13/36, not shorter.

Take the ratios given by Ed Midgley and divide larger by smaller (34/16 = 2.125)

Multiply by 36/13 (2.125 * 36/13 = 5.885)

Then multiply by 10/31 (5.885 * 10/31 = 1.898).

Then figure out which gear set most closely matches that number. In my collection, that would be an 18/34 first.

If you use a different red line, than the Honda that Ed has, then multiply by your redline and divide by his to get the change in ratio. (1.898 * 7000/6750 = 1.969) Assuming you're shifting at redline of course.

[Scotty Segers]

Would anyone like to share Laguna Seca gears for a Honda powered Van Diemen with a 10/31 R&P

Thanks
Scotty Segers

[efoxfield]

I just got back from Laguna. I have a 13/36 ratio so I won't confuse you with actual ratios. Gear for 75mph in first and 121mph for fourth. I was geared for 70mph in first and it was too low. I have a Honda engine also.
Ed Midgley
PS The track has no grip in the afternoon when the sun is on it. It's a little better in the morning with clouds.

[Scotty Segers]

Thanks Ed

Scotty Segers

[mkp250r]

What gears are you guys using at:

LimeRock
Watkins-Glenn
Njmp (lighting)
Njmp (thunder)
Summit Point
VIR
thompson


Does anyone have any used sets i can buy, that are in decent shape.

I have Citation with a kent 1600 with hoosier r45's

Thanks guys