Help with gearing/tq conv.

30th6 · Feb 7, 2021

My buggy (heavy 4 seater) has a 5.3 with a big cam,ptc stall,th350,205, cucv (456) gears and 43 sx sticky. The buggy defiantly needs more gear for crawling but I don't want to change the axle gears because of strength and I feel like it would need more than 538s to get a real low range. The converter is too loose (about 500 rpms) but maybe because of the gearing. So I was wondering if I bought a magnum to put in front of the 205 would it be the best bang for the buck? Any do you think the converter would tighten up to where I need it to be? I really don't want to pull the entire drivetrain if it's not necessary. I've fought getting the converter dialed in since the buggy was new and I just want it to be right. Or will 538s take care of the it?

Bebop · Feb 7, 2021

I'd say you're going to get a better bang for the buck by putting an Atlas in it.

TBItoy · Feb 7, 2021

Does the current gearing work for any situation?

if your 5.3 is over cammed, you would probably be better served by putting in a cam with better low end torque.
And do the magum. Lots of gear choices.

zukimaster · Feb 7, 2021

I have the same axles, gears also, but have only 39" tires and a wimpy V6, but I have the magnum box with the 205, I like it, its a very tough setup, and all the gearing options you will ever need, here is a picture of it.

30th6 · Feb 7, 2021

TBItoy said:
Does the current gearing work for any situation?

if your 5.3 is over cammed, you would probably be better served by putting in a cam with better low end torque.
And do the magum. Lots of gear choices.

I had a smaller cam and hated it. The gearing I have works but it's hard to go slow, for slow technical obstacles I have a small window before the trans hates life. The atlas is out of the question $$$. I'd rather do gears but I don't think they will get the results I want. I like all the gearing options of the magnum.
What do y'all think about the converter? Should it be ok with the magnum or do I need to pull it and get it tighned up?

d_daffron · Feb 7, 2021

What about a NWF Ecobox or black box? It'd save a good bit of $ over the Magnum and give you the additional 2.72:1 ratio.

zukimaster · Feb 7, 2021

Wait till you lower the gears either t case or ring and pinion before you mess with the converter, the lower the gear, the less it will stall.

30th6 · Feb 7, 2021

d_daffron said:
What about a NWF Ecobox or black box? It'd save a good bit of $ over the Magnum and give you the additional 2.72:1 ratio.

That is a option, I just figure time I try and find all the parts and get everything I need rounded up it might come out around the same.

30th6 · Feb 7, 2021

zukimaster said:
Wait till you lower the gears either t case or ring and pinion before you mess with the converter, the lower the gear, the less it will stall.

Yeah I guess I'll have to do that. It would be easier to pull the drivetrain all at one time because of the way my buggy is built. But I guess I can cross my fingers and hope it works out.

30th6 · Feb 7, 2021

zukimaster said:
I have the same axles, gears also, but have only 39" tires and a wimpy V6, but I have the magnum box with the 205, I like it, its a very tough setup, and all the gearing options you will ever need, here is a picture of it.

Do you know how much longer the box made the setup?

zukimaster · Feb 7, 2021

I don't remember for sure, but I bet they have the measurements on there website

Lil ugly · Feb 8, 2021

I am running 6.0/4l80/box of rocks doubler/205. 5.13 gears in the axles with 43's. My motor has a cam so it produces the appropriate 750+ claimed woopow numbers.

My converter has a 2300 stall. I am able to crawl it when doubled down and spin the tires as needed if the situation calls for it. Personally I think you could re-gear to 5.13 as the cheapest option and be fine. Otherwise the doubler will get you everything you need. I would have to measure mine but it was between 8 and 10 ruler inches not the measurement system I used to convince my wife on what i have down there.

30th6 · Feb 8, 2021

Lil ugly said:
I am running 6.0/4l80/box of rocks doubler/205. 5.13 gears in the axles with 43's. My motor has a cam so it produces the appropriate 750+ claimed woopow numbers. My converter has a 2300 stall. I am able to crawl it when doubled down and spin the tires as needed if the situation calls for it. Personally I think you could re-gear to 5.13 as the cheapest option and be fine. Otherwise the doubler will get you everything you need. I would have to measure mine but it was between 8 and 10 ruler inches not the measurement system I used to convince my wife on what i have down there.

I have a buddy with the simpler setup with 538s I'll have to ride with him and see how low it is. I know he broke this gear set on the last ride . There stock 456 been durable

30th6 · Feb 11, 2021

I took cost and labor into consideration and I bought some 538s from ecgs i hope that it will be low enough. If not I'll go to the magnum then. Changing gears is about 1/3 price of getting everything for the magnum to work.