What Rear End Gears?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 1
From: Gurley, Alabama
What Rear End Gears?
Looking to upgrade my stock rear end. I know several people love the 4.10 in the 6 speed but I think its a little stronger than I want. Trying to find the middle of the road along with increasing on performance #s. I want to cover all angles-
1- What gear ratio offered between 3.54-4.10
2- Whats the best brands- which to stay away from
3- Best place to buy
4- What is a good total price to include install
5- Any good overlapping mods to do at same time
thanks for the help
1- What gear ratio offered between 3.54-4.10
2- Whats the best brands- which to stay away from
3- Best place to buy
4- What is a good total price to include install
5- Any good overlapping mods to do at same time
thanks for the help
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 68
From: Hewitt NJ
I'll give you my input:
1. Sounds like 3.92s would work just fine for you.
2. I would try and get the Dana gears if possible.
3. I've heard good things about www.tomsdifferentials.com and www.randysringandpinion.com.
4. That really depends on your location. Around here they want $1000-1300 for the removal and install. You could save some money if you were to pull the differential yourself and just have the shop setup the gears for you.
5. The only thing I can think of is polyurethane bushings or a rear lowereing kit.
Good luck!
1. Sounds like 3.92s would work just fine for you.
2. I would try and get the Dana gears if possible.
3. I've heard good things about www.tomsdifferentials.com and www.randysringandpinion.com.
4. That really depends on your location. Around here they want $1000-1300 for the removal and install. You could save some money if you were to pull the differential yourself and just have the shop setup the gears for you.
5. The only thing I can think of is polyurethane bushings or a rear lowereing kit.
Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Go All the Way
I have just finished installing my 4.11's in my GS and I couldn't be happier. For the time being this is my daily driver and gas mileage hasn't suffered too much on the gear's account, it's more me mashing the pedal because I'm so happy with the improvement.
To be honest, once I am able to drive it less, I seriously think 4.30's will find a home in my dana. Many ZR1 owners are starting to do this, but I was trying to be somewhat conservative. SO, go ahead, get the 4.11's, you will be very, very happy
To be honest, once I am able to drive it less, I seriously think 4.30's will find a home in my dana. Many ZR1 owners are starting to do this, but I was trying to be somewhat conservative. SO, go ahead, get the 4.11's, you will be very, very happy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1
From: Bahston Mass.
Originally Posted by STL94LT1
Go with the 4.10/11's, you'll be amazed how drivable they are. I have to agree with this. I got mine put in about a month ago.. 6th is actually a useable gear now! 55MPH is 1800RPMS, 70 is 2200, so the RPMS aren't bad at all!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
From: Warren Ohio
Originally Posted by 96redvettelt4
Looking to upgrade my stock rear end. I know several people love the 4.10 in the 6 speed but I think its a little stronger than I want. Trying to find the middle of the road along with increasing on performance #s. I want to cover all angles-
1- What gear ratio offered between 3.54-4.10
2- Whats the best brands- which to stay away from
3- Best place to buy
4- What is a good total price to include install
5- Any good overlapping mods to do at same time
thanks for the help
1- What gear ratio offered between 3.54-4.10
2- Whats the best brands- which to stay away from
3- Best place to buy
4- What is a good total price to include install
5- Any good overlapping mods to do at same time
thanks for the help
2. Richmonds make noise. Dana, US Gear, Precision are all good...if properly installed. I have US Gear, and my setup is as quiet as stock.
3. www.drivetrainspecialists.com - These guys have a ton of Corvette experience, great prices, and great customer service. Ask for Rich Perkins, and tell him you are a forum member for a discount. My 4.11's ran $216. Unless you are going to buy a 4-series carrier, you'll want a "thick" gear, which will mate with the stock 3-series.
4. I R&R'd the diff myself, and shipped it to DTS for the gear swap. The R&P ran $216...the install kit (bearings, shims, etc.) was about $100, and labor was $150...for a total of $456, plus shipping. Shipping via UPS ran about $50 each way...so the whole setup was $550-ish.
5. Poly bushings while you're in there. Unless you have a low mileage car, now is definitely the time to do U-Joints...it's a lot of work getting back in there!
-Scott
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 96redvettelt4
Gentlemen thanks for the great feed back and wealth of knowledge. You all really have me relooking the 4.10/11s. But for all sakes does anyone have any input on 3.92s etc?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,295
Likes: 4
From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
If I ever do a gear change it will be to a 3.73. Most of the road racers agree the 4.10s are too much shifting for a road course. They are excellent at the drags though. Depends on what you want. 
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
4.11's arent a pain to drive at all. I once tried going 3.73's with a 6 speed, tore them out 2 weeks later and went 4.11. You won't regret it!If your'e going to do a gear change, do a gear change
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Originally Posted by mos90
are any of you 4.11 guys having to shift into 5th gear at the drags.. i like not having that extra shift.. i have stock 3.33 gears in and shift at 6500 rpms.
I think this is stronger than 4.11????????
2)With 4.10's and near stock LT4 tires....6300rpm is 115 mph in 4th.....so 6500 is between 118 & 119mph...so you can make a pretty good quess if you would need to shift or not......if you did & 1/4 mile is your thing then you need a different gear ratio
4.10's are a good choice for the LT4, both for performance and streetability......still don't know of anyone who regretted installing them
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 86
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Running 4.10's, I've crossed the traps at 117+mph and 63/6400 rpms, in fourth gear. I'm currently looking into updating my camshaft/valvetrain to get a couple hundred more, safe rpms.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,529
Likes: 1
From: Howell N.J. Home of Redgar
Cruise-In II Veteran
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I went to Cruise-In V with Vetteweiser
Originally Posted by GS348
I have just finished installing my 4.11's in my GS and I couldn't be happier. For the time being this is my daily driver and gas mileage hasn't suffered too much on the gear's account, it's more me mashing the pedal because I'm so happy with the improvement.
To be honest, once I am able to drive it less, I seriously think 4.30's will find a home in my dana. Many ZR1 owners are starting to do this, but I was trying to be somewhat conservative. SO, go ahead, get the 4.11's, you will be very, very happy
To be honest, once I am able to drive it less, I seriously think 4.30's will find a home in my dana. Many ZR1 owners are starting to do this, but I was trying to be somewhat conservative. SO, go ahead, get the 4.11's, you will be very, very happy
GS daily driver , so sad .....
....hope you can get a DD soon ... Oh yeah I vote 4.10 ...if I had the cash that would be my choice hands down !
Last edited by DINO; Apr 20, 2005 at 01:49 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 86
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Originally Posted by 96redvettelt4
For you guys that are running +115 mph what is your 1/4 times?
Most 60' times were around 1.90.
Last edited by STL94LT1; Apr 20, 2005 at 02:26 PM.