71 LT1 4.11 Rear

[Joe D.]

I am going to look at a 71 LT1 tomorrow. It has 4.11 gears. The owner wanted to let me know on the highway the car is at high rpms. It's not really a good crusing car.? I am looking for a 70-72 that I can enjoy driving. I am not familiar with the LT1's. The LT1 he is selling is a nice looking car. Nevada Silver, pwr steering and brakes. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks as always for your help. Joe, Member 37862

[Paul O.]

Re: 71 LT1 4.11 Rear

Joe a 4:11 will have an engine rpm of 3000 at 60 mph. For around town cruising its fine but if you are looking at long distance not very good. Don't ask how I know. Paul 18046

[Tom H.]

Re: 71 LT1 4.11 Rear

Joe:

It depends on the kind of cruising you will be doing. On cross country trips, the 4.10 probably isn't the hot tip. Now for short little cruises and things, it would be a blast.

If you absolutely love the car and the rear gear set is the only thing holding you back, changing the ratio isn't that bad of a job.

[Gary R.]

Re: 71 LT1 4.11 Rear

If you've never ran a set of 411 you may like them at first. As said if you don't plan on running on the highway you may be ok. The LT1 likes to rev high.
I custom built a 411 for my sons 75 and he ran them about 800 miles and sold the diff. Now I'm building a 373 12-bolt to replace it. With open sidepipes & 4 spd the 411's were too much in noise and RPM and the only thing moving faster was the gas gauge.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 71 LT1 4.11 Rear

...If you absolutely love the car and the rear gear set is the only thing holding you back, changing the ratio isn't that bad of a job.

I agree. There are not enough nice cars out there for the differential gear ratio to be a significant factor in purchasing a really nice example, especially an LT1.

I would probably plan on keeping the original differential intact by locating and swapping in another differential unit complete. That would spare the average restorer from the anxiety of setting the gear contact and lash properly.

[Paul J.]

Re: 71 LT1 4.11 Rear

I am going to look at a 71 LT1 tomorrow. It has 4.11 gears. The owner wanted to let me know on the highway the car is at high rpms. It's not really a good crusing car.? I am looking for a 70-72 that I can enjoy driving. I am not familiar with the LT1's. The LT1 he is selling is a nice looking car. Nevada Silver, pwr steering and brakes. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks as always for your help. Joe, Member 37862

I assume that you mean "enjoy driving" on the highway. My 4:11 set is an absolute blast to drive. But the highway is not the place, for the reasons that others have mentioned. You're right that this would not be a highway cruising car.

Paul

[Steven B.]

Re: 71 LT1 4.11 Rear

I agree. There are not enough nice cars out there for the differential gear ratio to be a significant factor in purchasing a really nice example, especially an LT1.

I would probably plan on keeping the original differential intact by locating and swapping in another differential unit complete. That would spare the average restorer from the anxiety of setting the gear contact and lash properly.

Ditto. I have had a 4.10 in my modified L-82 since the mid 80's and I like it around town and for short trips of 50-100 miles. If you aren't going beyond that it may be OK for you. If not I would swap in a 3.70, maybe a 3.55 but I woudn't do anything less.

It is hard to find a really nice original LT-1 and they are special cars. I wouldn't let the gears stop me at all.

Steve

[Mike L.]

Re: 71 LT1 4.11 Rear

I have 4.10 gears in my 1964 FI car, great fun!!!!!!

[Edward C.]

Re: 71 LT1 4.11 Rear

I have a 71 LT-1 with 4:11's and around town or a leisurely drive it is a blast but for longer distance it gets tireing and loud but it is fast. Get the car and change out the diff. keeping the origional. The motor loves the RPM so you might like the 4:11's. I would not swap mine for anyting. Ed

[Joe D.]

Re: 71 LT1 4.11 Rear

Thanks for all your imput. I am going to look at the car tomorrow. I will keep you posted. Thanks again, Joe