I have a '78 Nova 'Hatchback', 350 with, I'm fairly certain,a 308 rear.
I'm running it on an oval track and need more power! (Gear teeth are as follows: pinion 13, ring 40, ...spline?) Without removing the gears I can't tell if it's 7.5" or 8" or better! Would it be to my benefit to change my gear ratio? Can I, in this car? I'm running 27" tires(205/75 15) and will change to a smaller tire in 14", but, that will give me a minimal increase
in power. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
PS....Track is only 1/8 mi. clay oval. :uhoh:

78 should have the 7.5 inch rear end. Kinda weak. Earlier ones had the 8 inch rear. The first gen camaro and firebird rear ends are supposed to work in the late novas and such. Can step up to a 12 bolt that way if you can find one. What transmission are you using?

78 should have the 7.5 inch rear end. Kinda weak. Earlier ones had the 8 inch rear. The first gen camaro and firebird rear ends are supposed to work in the late novas and such. Can step up to a 12 bolt that way if you can find one. What transmission are you using?
Thanks Elcomino,
I have a t350 tranny.....can't change to a 12 Bolt...car has to be 'factory OEM' for our race track. I could go to a Ford 9" as long as I don't exceed 4:11 gear ratio however, that's a bit more than I can do right now as 'race season' has already begun. Any other thoughts on this? Thanks again for your help.
Jude

Can't run a 12 bolt but can run a 9 inch? Weird rules. Well are you using just 1st gear in the tranny? TCI makes a lower first gear kit for the turbo 350. Or change it to a manual. Can get a lower gear that way. If you want to go cheap try to find the 8.5 10 bolt from the 77 and earlier body and try and find a lower ratio gear set from a 81 and up truck. They started using the 8.5 then.

Can't run a 12 bolt but can run a 9 inch? Weird rules. Well are you using just 1st gear in the tranny? TCI makes a lower first gear kit for the turbo 350. Or change it to a manual. Can get a lower gear that way. If you want to go cheap try to find the 8.5 10 bolt from the 77 and earlier body and try and find a lower ratio gear set from a 81 and up truck. They started using the 8.5 then.

WOW! Thanks! I'm using 1st. and 2nd. gear only....will look for a '77 or earlier or an '81 truck. You've been a great help to me.....I'll keep you
posted. I'll see what I can accomplish this week as we start racing EVERY weekend in June! Wish me lots o' luck!
Jude

PS...as if you couldn't tell.......I'm a 'rookie' and want to win Rookie of the Year at this track!

You need the 77 and earlier Nova rear end and the gears out of the 81 and newer half ton trucks.

I ran on an 1/4 mile dirt track and used a 9 inch ford with 4.11 gears and a Saginaw 3 speed in second. Worked out to be 6.86 gear ratio.