[piecesparts]

Let me tell you a story about a little truck that we own. The truck is an 86 chevy, with a 350 engine, a 700 R4 tranny and 3:73 gears. It used to have 3:08 gears and the rpms were around 1900 on the highway. Sounds good doesn't it? Well the problem was that the truck's gas mileage was lousy with the 3:08 gears (12.5 mpg MAYBE) and the performance with the truck at 1900 was sluggish. The cruise control was constantly kicking down when you got into any kind of hills. I guess if you live on the flatlands---no problem. We put a 12 bolt 3:73 posi unit under the truck and the gas mileage went up to 15 mpg and the engine performs great, even when the cruise control is engaged. The 350 engine has a power curve that is predominant around 2100 to 2700 RPM and that is where the engine will become really efficient. The truck now runs at 2500 RPM at 70 mph and pulls real strong to get into traffic. Every person for their own choice, but a little kick is worth the fuel to me. I really do hate an anemic truck that couldn't get it's a$$ out of a peterbuilt's way. I also have an 84 GMC pickup with a 383 stroker and the same tranny and rear end. It is getting a good 15 mpg with a 400 hp motor, that is why we did the 86 with the 3:73 gears.