2014 Ultimate 1 Ton Challenge results
2014 Ultimate HD Challenge 1. GMC 2. Ram 3. Ford
Forum Discussion
The problem with setting gearing the same for all the competitors is that each engine makes different horsepower and torque curves. What may over or under shoot one engine at certain speed may be the "sweet spot" for another.
I have changed enough gearing in dune buggies to know that the very highest or lowest ratios usually will not get you the fastest speeds, but each will have its advantages. I gear my DW's buggy lower than mine, so she can crawl around without having the engine struggle with tall low end gearing knowing that she never nails the accelerator pedal for any length of time. For me, I found gearing that allows me to run a tall tire for clearance and speed or a short tire for creeping and crawling without having to change sprockets and chain length (yes, our buggies are chain driven). Although we have identical engines, I have a ported head and long duration cam so optimal RPM's are also different for us.
I have changed enough gearing in dune buggies to know that the very highest or lowest ratios usually will not get you the fastest speeds, but each will have its advantages. I gear my DW's buggy lower than mine, so she can crawl around without having the engine struggle with tall low end gearing knowing that she never nails the accelerator pedal for any length of time. For me, I found gearing that allows me to run a tall tire for clearance and speed or a short tire for creeping and crawling without having to change sprockets and chain length (yes, our buggies are chain driven). Although we have identical engines, I have a ported head and long duration cam so optimal RPM's are also different for us.
