That sounds dirty doesn't it!

But now that I have your attention!

Trying to decide on what to do with the mod money I have been (and am currently) saving for my 85k mile 88 coupe.

A local differential shop has a low-mile Spicer 3.07 pumpkin (D36) and will sell/install the whole shebang for $850 (turn key). I currently have 2.59s and this would be a nice upgrade for me (I'm not a racer, street nor strip... I am a cruiser who commutes in his Vette once a week, drives it on the weekends and likes to take the occasional weekend trip in it). (BTW, I have used Search and read all the threads on gears, and am convinced that 3.07 is the best gear choice for me and my L98).

OR

Go with a full exhaust... long tubes, high flow cats, etc (unfortunately here in Phoenix the cats must remain on the car to pass emissions (both pre-cats and the main cat! UGH!)). Obviously the exhaust will cost more... probably about $1500 when all said and done (I currently have Muff Elims so exhaust note is actually very pleasing to me now, so this would truly be for performance gain only really).

So anyway, from a SOTP real world driving perspective, which of these will really be the best "Buck Banger"? (please vote)

(BTW, odds are that this is an "either or" thing for me (ie, I will either do gears or exhaust, but probably not both... unless something breaks and I was later forced to do a repair that necessitated doing one or the other).)

 

I did the small mods on my 85, and then one day I did just a cat back, and i was like WOW. So full exhaust for me is YES

Exhaust = faster
Gears = Feels faster

 

Shop around local muffler shops - you can do full exhaust much cheaper. I got full stainless with x-pipe and magnaflo mufflers - $500.00. Headman headers I put on myself - $200.00.
That with the rear swap you have lined up - $1500.00.
Do both?

 

f your a cruiser, don't change the gears, your rpm's will go up, your gas mileage will go down

 

So there is no chance you can do the work yourself? You could probably do both for those prices of do. Another option is to pick up a used lt1 exhaust and hangers for $50 on craigslist, then maybe you could do both.

 

i gained 27rwhp is memory is correct on my stock L-98.

 

I voted gears because you will feel that instantly.The exhaust will certainly compliment gears and they should both be done IMO.

Replace all your cats(or at least the main) with hi flow ones and change the mufflers at the rear for a cheaper alternative.

Make sure you keep your old pumpkin.

 

Th differance between 2:59 and a 3:07 aint spit . go to a 3:50 or a 3:73 or just do the exhaust .
Are the cats clogged up at all ?

 

I think a 3.33 or up to a 3.45 are probably as high as you'd want to go on a TPI motor. You can find used pumpkins with those gears.

 

Im just gonna sit this one out and eat popcorn ..

 

Realistically... no. I have neither the time nor (frankly) the know-how. I can basic stuff but both of these are out of my league and honestly I'd rather have them done right the first time than to have to deal with trying to fix the errors I would make trying to do either myself.

The LT1 exhaust is an interesting idea... I will look into that. But what is the benefit of the LT1 factory exhaust over the L98 (sorry for my ignorance)?

 

I recognize that it's not a gargantuan jump, but for my usage (see first post) 3.50 to 3.73 would be a bad choice I think. 3.73s on a 6 hour road trip to San Diego for a weekend with the wife would not be good and would defeat the whole purpose of the car for me.

No... I Searched a lot of past threads to decide what ratio would be best for me. I know a lot of folks like the lower (numerically higher) gears... but those that favored them tended to not use their cars like I do. I have never driven my car at a dragstrip (nor will I likely ever), I don't street race, I don't do autocross, but I do enjoy spirited driving while I am in my Vette, so the 3.07 (based on what those who have done so have written) sounds like a logical choice. Plus many on here argue that with the L98's torque curve lower gears actually run up through the the torque curve too quickly... and while feeling "faster" it is actuality either no faster or slightly less fast while sacrificing both economy and driveability (at least for my usage).

Anyway, from what I have read (admittedly I am relying on other people's experience, but that's what these forums are all about) going form 2.59 to 3.07 does make for a significant SOTP change.

BUT... all that said your advice to just do the exhaust instead may well be the best route.

 

3:73 wouldnt be my choice for a six hour trip . First post didnt mention it .
A 3:73 for around town is fun . especially when every wingnut with a C5 or a mustang wants to run ya at the next light .
I dont have a 3:73 any more (needs a bearing ) But I have done 100 mile trips to a trackday and still got 17mpg.
3:30,350 ,and 354s gears are rare and usually pricey .800.00 is better spent somewhere else .
Replace the worn out stuff .(budget routine )


exhaust

T/b ,get a reman that was opened up a little (when the bushings go bad )
airbox mod
intake & runners

 

Sorry I wasn't specific in my OP... by "occasional weekend trip" that's what I meant. Have taken it (with the wife) on weekend road-trips to San Diego and Laughlin, NV and really enjoyed taking it on those trips... but I would like to give it a little more SOTP performance without sacrificing (too much) in the area of road-tripability (is that a word? ). I don't generally have a lot of problems with folks wanting to race (maybe they don't feel the C4 is much of a threat LOL!) So yeah, stop light to stop light gears aren't really my goal.

Anyway, yeah, I could spend the money on more routine maintenance things and that's probably the smart thing to do... but I kinda want to do something more "fun" with this money.

 

Did you keep all 3 cats? I have to in order to pass emissions here in Phoenix. I would replace them with high flow units though.

 

I would go for the exhaust upgrades.

They can add power and mpg's with a better sound.

The gears will help the most for drag strip starts. Much past that the transmission keep the engine at the best RPM. (Especially with a manual trans.) If you are not drag racing from a stop I doubt you will see much difference, but you will get lower mpg's on a highway cruise. My 88 A4 with 2.59 gears would hit 30 mpg on interstate cruises.

 

Well I voted for "GEARS". I have the 3.07 gears (stock). It's the easy way to go without all the noise of going the exhaust route. The stock exhaust is bad enough.

 

I vote to do your exhaust. Cats/exhaust wear out faster than gears. And, you wouldn't be gaining enough gear. (3.33 or 3.54 or stay as-is)

Consider 1 3/4" shorties (since emissions are a concern), 2.5" tubing, and Magnflow cats. CorvetteAllenStainless sells the pre-fit front and rear Y's. Dual stainless resonator tips work well in the rear.

Try that w/o mufflers too.

 

ditched the front two. they were overkill anyways.....

 

Unfortunately I am required to have all 3 to pass emissions!