need rear end gear help
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 752
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From: richardson tx
need rear end gear help
iv been thinking about some different rear end gears for my `90 6speed . im sure the ones in the car are stock. what ratio would yall recommend? how hard would this be to do? im wanting the car to move a little quicker when i have to step on it or down shift.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,596
Likes: 19
From: Portland Oregon
Originally Posted by steve1ph2
iv been thinking about some different rear end gears for my `90 6speed . im sure the ones in the car are stock. what ratio would yall recommend? how hard would this be to do? im wanting the car to move a little quicker when i have to step on it or down shift.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 752
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From: richardson tx
Originally Posted by tjwong
A lot of the guys here love the 4.10s. Another good choice would be a set of 3.73s. 4.10s would definitely give you a huge improvement over the stock 3.42s, and you would feel it. On my car 4.10s would make 1st and 2nd gear useless, I can already boil the tires at will in those two gears. For me 3.73s would probably be the better choice for my engine combo.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,749
Likes: 41
Originally Posted by steve1ph2
iv been thinking about some different rear end gears for my `90 6speed . im sure the ones in the car are stock. what ratio would yall recommend? how hard would this be to do? im wanting the car to move a little quicker when i have to step on it or down shift.
i believe the stock gear is a 3.33 gear. i also think that is one of the best gears for the L-98. i wish i had 3.33's.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
I own a 92 LT1 6 speed. I went from a 3.45 to a 4.10 and I love them. One of the best mods I have done.
Like you, I was worried about regrets and 3.45 to 3.73 is not a huge difference. So I went with 4.10.
A purcahsed the parts straight from Dana. However I believe you can go to a Dodge dealer and order 4.10 gears for a Viper and they will work.
Mine was done by a mechanic experienced with rear end gear swaps. I recommed you go to a reputable diff shop to get the work done.
When I did the swap, my car was basically stock exept for long tubes and a cat back. Big difference. It really FELT like more power and I actually had a 5th and 6th gear I could actually use. I did not notice much of a change in gas mileage but I did not do any tests.
I cruise at 60mph in 6th gear at around 2K RPM. I am sure a lost top speed. But I am not interested in going 160 mph. I wanted accerleration.
I now have a heads/cam package and have dynoed 371 RWHP and 332 RWTQ. Most of my power is in the top end so the 4.10 gears really help me get into the powerband fast. And because of the 6th gear I can still cruise the highway comfortably.
No regrets here.
Like you, I was worried about regrets and 3.45 to 3.73 is not a huge difference. So I went with 4.10.
A purcahsed the parts straight from Dana. However I believe you can go to a Dodge dealer and order 4.10 gears for a Viper and they will work.
Mine was done by a mechanic experienced with rear end gear swaps. I recommed you go to a reputable diff shop to get the work done.
When I did the swap, my car was basically stock exept for long tubes and a cat back. Big difference. It really FELT like more power and I actually had a 5th and 6th gear I could actually use. I did not notice much of a change in gas mileage but I did not do any tests.
I cruise at 60mph in 6th gear at around 2K RPM. I am sure a lost top speed. But I am not interested in going 160 mph. I wanted accerleration.
I now have a heads/cam package and have dynoed 371 RWHP and 332 RWTQ. Most of my power is in the top end so the 4.10 gears really help me get into the powerband fast. And because of the 6th gear I can still cruise the highway comfortably.
No regrets here.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 2
From: Stamping Ground KY
I think you'd gain top speed because the lower gears would raise your RPM's higher in the powerband and counteract more of the wind resistance.
steve, you should be sure of the stock gear, going from 3.33 to 4.1 is a huge jump. You will also have to get a new speedo gear.
steve, you should be sure of the stock gear, going from 3.33 to 4.1 is a huge jump. You will also have to get a new speedo gear.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by 88BlackZ-51
i believe the stock gear is a 3.33 gear. i also think that is one of the best gears for the L-98. i wish i had 3.33's.
They used several in the early years, they took awhile to find a proper match.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: richardson tx
i hate decisions like this. this is how i drive the car. most of the time normally. highway speed 70-85 ( i never shift to 6 gear untill around 75mph ) seems the motor is lugging less than that. i do like to punch it getting on the freeway. around town normal take offs and the speed limit 30-45. but sometimes im propositioned to leave the light a little quicker or from a rolling 30-45mph. the last two is why i want the gears. if i need them they will be there. but at what cost? what is your opinion on the gears i need and why?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 2
From: Stamping Ground KY
I don't know if we can answer your question because it depends on what you like. Your gas mileage won't drop much, but it will be noticeable. You'll have to shift more often, 6th will be considerably more useful.
I've heard people go both ways, that the 4.10's were the best investment they've ever made, or that they were frustrated with the cars driveability going out the window for a little better WOT acceleration.
Sorry to be vague, but changing gears has definite positives and negatives, and the sum of those is a subjective answer.
I've heard people go both ways, that the 4.10's were the best investment they've ever made, or that they were frustrated with the cars driveability going out the window for a little better WOT acceleration.
Sorry to be vague, but changing gears has definite positives and negatives, and the sum of those is a subjective answer.
