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Re: newb transmission axle ratio question
A lower (numerical) final drive ratio would allow for higher vehicle speed at a lower engine RPM. A lower numerical ratio can also allow for better fuel mileage, but will cause the engine to work harder to get the vehicle moving (poorer acceleration).
That said, I believe the final drive ratio of most of the older transaxles was around 4.10:1. Coupled with the overdrive ratio of 0.70, that would net a ratio of around 2.87:1.
The difference in the two final drive ratios you have listed would mean that at 60 MPH road speed, the engine would be spinning about 100 RPM faster with the 2.97 than with the 2.84. It's not that significant a difference.
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