3.44 to 3.1 ratio

[65MK1S]

Anybody gone from a 3.44 to 3.1 running a 1275 and regretted it?
I've got everything apart now and thinking about making the
switch. Speed limit here on the freeways is 70mph. Would appreciate
any feedback.
Thanks

[Spider]

It's a personal choice I think.

I when from a 3.44 to a 3.2 to a 3.67 and ended up back at the 3.44. I found it the best all rounder for how I wanted that car to drive. Motorway speeds aren't an issue and while I did notice the drop in revs on the Motorway, the difference in sound level was hardly noticeable, but then, it's a fairly quiet car anyway.

[croc7]

I did and never regretted it. Built my engine for torque/use 10” wheels. It is very responsive and easy to drive in town. On the freeway, I like the 3-400 rpm drop at 60 mph compared to what it was with the 3.44. 70 mph is about 3850 rpm don’t know what it would be using 12” wheels.

[imack]

I had a clubman estate with an otherwise standard 1300GT engine that been bored to 1380cc with a 10:1cr.
I fitted a 2.9:1 final drive to a wide ratio gearbox and had 10" wheels. I always felt it was a lovely combined with a torquey engine. It was a car my dad and sister loved to drive.

[roymck]

Years ago I put a 1300 GT engine into my 997 Cooper and fitted a 2.7 diff . It was really good .

[dodge44]

In 30 years and over 250,000 miles with the same car I've gone from 3.44 to 3.65, back to 3.44, then for many years 2.9 due to regular motorway driving. The 3rd motion shaft on the later box failed a few months back and have just got it up and running again with a 3.1 diff - 1st run out was yesterday evening and have got to say quite impressed so far. No joggling around between 3rd and 4th in 30mph zones (2.9 diff) and the revs / noise seem quite sociable on dual carriageway driving. See how it goes, but happy with decision to go with 3.1 so far.

Roger

[Andrew1967]

I run a 3.1 diff in a 4 sync S box on my 'standard' 1330 Cooper S engine and am very happy with it. Definitely wouldn't change it for a lower diff.

[kit of bits]

I had a 2.9 in my 1380 mini van, on the autobahn it was excellent fun..
With a commercial vehicle the limit was 55 and the tols cost a fortune.
The best bit, it still did the standing quarter mile in sub 16’s in 3rd gear..
D