Switching up a DRM 385

[Zman]

Originally Posted by Demps

I?d imagine that?s just about perfect. What do you think?
Ted

After further review..........Perfect. The ONLY thing wrong with this set up is it is not a 441!

[EvanZR1]

I had 4.10s on my previous ZR-1 with just top end porting, and it really woke the car up. I think the 4.10s are great on stock/near stock ZR-1s, but are too much gear for anything over 500HP and probably borderline even for that 500HP.

On my current 391 cid ZR-1, I have the stock flywheel and 3.45 rear and I'm very happy with the setup. I ran 176MPH in the standing mile (before final tuning was even finished, which gained me another ~25HP), so I'm pretty happy with it. Ideally with a shorter 5th or overall numerically higher rear I might gain a little bit in the mile, but then I'd sacrifice elsewhere (1/4, 1/2, street, etc). With the current ratio, 5th for me would top out at 220MPH, so a 3.78 rear would probably be better as it would top 5th at 200MPH (doable with my 391 on a long enough straight), and it would make 6th a little more usable (even with the 391, cruising at less than 80MPH in 6th seems sluggish). But that's a fair bit of money for a minor change, so will probably just stick with what I have.

If I were you, for a 385cid with 4.10s, I'd probably drop to a 3.7x gear and stock flywheel.

[Zman]

Originally Posted by EvanZR1

I had 4.10s on my previous ZR-1 with just top end porting, and it really woke the car up. I think the 4.10s are great on stock/near stock ZR-1s, but are too much gear for anything over 500HP and probably borderline even for that 500HP.

On my current 391 cid ZR-1, I have the stock flywheel and 3.45 rear and I'm very happy with the setup. I ran 176MPH in the standing mile (before final tuning was even finished, which gained me another ~25HP), so I'm pretty happy with it. Ideally with a shorter 5th or overall numerically higher rear I might gain a little bit in the mile, but then I'd sacrifice elsewhere (1/4, 1/2, street, etc). With the current ratio, 5th for me would top out at 220MPH, so a 3.78 rear would probably be better as it would top 5th at 200MPH (doable with my 391 on a long enough straight), and it would make 6th a little more usable (even with the 391, cruising at less than 80MPH in 6th seems sluggish). But that's a fair bit of money for a minor change, so will probably just stick with what I have.


If I were you, for a 385cid with 4.10s, I'd probably drop to a 3.7x gear and stock flywheel.

The current set up is 3:78s with a 15lbs aluminum flywheel. I really like the faster rpm acceleration with the lighter flywheel. I really like this setup while driving alone. I have noticed that with an added person in the car the transmission rattle is a bit louder. I?m very happy with the set up. I wanted a 22lbs flywheel but Jerry didn?t have a clutch kit with that weight flywheel.

[wfot]

I am planning a 402 build. Curious as to what the bore/stroke is on the 385?
any audio or video of it? not many 385s out there?

thanks
john

[We Gone]

3:73 with 510hp package and love it for driving. I do run back roads 90% of the time interstates are just to dull.