C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

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Old Jul 20, 2008 | 06:12 PM
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hey guys i have an 89' with the dana 36 performance 3.07 rear end and was wondering where i could buy a set of 3.42-3.45 ring and pinion set or should i just keep the 3.07's? thanks

also do anyone have the borla stinger exhaust on their car maybe with some hooker LT's?
do you like it? have any sound clips? thanks again

Last edited by jtoombs; Jul 20, 2008 at 06:18 PM. Reason: forgot a question
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Old Jul 20, 2008 | 08:22 PM
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I just bought a set of gears from Merle at Exotic Muscle when I ordered my headers. I'm not sure what ratios he has in stock but he can help you out with the selection. I have an LT-1 and went with the 3.56
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Old Jul 20, 2008 | 09:05 PM
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Default Gears, etc.

I have a '90 that had 3:07's. If yours is a daily driver don't change gears get a 2600-2800 TC. Great SOTP improvement. I had Borla Stinger with Hooker LT and the car sounded great all the time. In the cabin it wasn't as much fun. Switched to Corsa. Sorry, no sound clip.
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Old Jul 20, 2008 | 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by CJWC4AZ
I have a '90 that had 3:07's. If yours is a daily driver don't change gears get a 2600-2800 TC. Great SOTP improvement.


The L98 doesn't like to rev high at all, so 3.45s would ruin most of it's low-end torque. A 2600 stall converter, or even 3000stall, would put you right into the torque peak and give you one hell of a fun time.

I have 3.07s right now but only the stock 2k stall, and when the L98 was still in it was pretty fun to play with. My powerband is taller now, so not as much fun but that can always be changed. Just remember to make mods that will compliment your curve.
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Old Jul 20, 2008 | 09:57 PM
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L98s do not require the rear gear that LT1s like. If you go lower than 3.07, you may get faster to 60, but after that you will be slower. It will also cost you gas mileage on the highway by raising your cruise RPM (similar to driving in 3rd gear now).

You could get the same effect by going to a higher stall TC, without any detriment.
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 04:03 AM
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I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I have a 1990 and was wondering about gears myself. I don't know whats currently on it but I wanted a bit more speed from 0 to 60, but if possible higher gear on the freeway for better gas mileage.

Changing out the first two gears in the transmission to a lower gear, and the last one to a higher one seems the way to go, but I have no idea if that is even possible.

Anyway, my main question is exactly how does the stall speed of the torque converter effect performance? I thought stall speed was the speed at which the TC locked itself up? I don't see how having a higher speed can make it faster at low rpms, wouldin't it be ineffecient to have the TC spinning and not be locked up?
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 07:21 AM
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Originally Posted by jdraughn
I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I have a 1990 and was wondering about gears myself. I don't know whats currently on it but I wanted a bit more speed from 0 to 60, but if possible higher gear on the freeway for better gas mileage.

Anyway, my main question is exactly how does the stall speed of the torque converter effect performance? I thought stall speed was the speed at which the TC locked itself up? I don't see how having a higher speed can make it faster at low rpms, wouldin't it be ineffecient to have the TC spinning and not be locked up?
This should clear that up for you.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...ter/index.html
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by jdraughn
I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I have a 1990 and was wondering about gears myself. I don't know whats currently on it but I wanted a bit more speed from 0 to 60, but if possible higher gear on the freeway for better gas mileage.

Changing out the first two gears in the transmission to a lower gear, and the last one to a higher one seems the way to go, but I have no idea if that is even possible.

Anyway, my main question is exactly how does the stall speed of the torque converter effect performance? I thought stall speed was the speed at which the TC locked itself up? I don't see how having a higher speed can make it faster at low rpms, wouldin't it be ineffecient to have the TC spinning and not be locked up?
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/A4tranny.html
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by vader86
L98s do not require the rear gear that LT1s like. If you go lower than 3.07, you may get faster to 60, but after that you will be slower. It will also cost you gas mileage on the highway by raising your cruise RPM (similar to driving in 3rd gear now).

You could get the same effect by going to a higher stall TC, without any detriment.
This is some strange corvette logic that I don't understand. The D36 in the L98's got 2.59:1 ratio for unexplainable reasons. All the L98 fbody cars got better ratios, WS6 being the best at 3.45:1. The WS6 L98 cars all had 700R4's (mandatory) with the same ratios as the corvette.

A Stock L98 C4 at max HP RPM on a 700R4 will go 143mph in drive. How many stock L98's cross the finish line in the 1/4 at 143mph?

-- Joe
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 05:37 PM
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does anyone have a part number for a good stall i could use?
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted by jtoombs
does anyone have a part number for a good stall i could use?

Contact Pete K here on the forum. He is "The MAN" when it comes to stall converters and a lot of other related questions.
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 11:45 PM
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thanks guys, i contacted pete and he helped me alot...thanks again
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Old Jul 26, 2008 | 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Master__Shake_


The L98 doesn't like to rev high at all, so 3.45s would ruin most of it's low-end torque. A 2600 stall converter, or even 3000stall, would put you right into the torque peak and give you one hell of a fun time.

I have 3.07s right now but only the stock 2k stall, and when the L98 was still in it was pretty fun to play with. My powerband is taller now, so not as much fun but that can always be changed. Just remember to make mods that will compliment your curve.
Yep yep
In fact, if you race a L98 2.48 rear you might find yourself owing him/her some money.

Definitely concur with a higher stall converter over gears. With a truck like peak torque at 3K something, a higher stall will allow your motor to stay closer to it peak torqu rating.

though with a 3.07 and today's gas prices, it'll be better to stick with increasing efficiency (heads, headers, n intake) than the gears.
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