4:10 gears
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Sahuarita AZ
4:10 gears
Hi all:
I have a '99 6-speed. What were the gears that came stock in those cars? 3:42? To those who upgraded to 4:10s, what kind of difference did you feel? Was it significant? Was it worth the upgrade in your opinion?
I have a '99 6-speed. What were the gears that came stock in those cars? 3:42? To those who upgraded to 4:10s, what kind of difference did you feel? Was it significant? Was it worth the upgrade in your opinion?
Le Mans Master
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From: HONOLULU HAWAII
All six speeds came with the 3:42's. You will feel a major difference with the 4:10's. Some people have said it is like adding 75 hp. Try a search and I am sure you will find many threads concerning this mod.
Race Director
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From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
Cruise-In 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I love my 4:10s! I wouldn't have any other gears unless I get a blower or they start making 5.33s for the C5. 
Yes, they are worth every penny.
Yes, they are worth every penny.
Pro
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From: Scarborough
Originally Posted by sdnet
Hi all:
I have a '99 6-speed. What were the gears that came stock in those cars? 3:42? To those who upgraded to 4:10s, what kind of difference did you feel? Was it significant? Was it worth the upgrade in your opinion?
I have a '99 6-speed. What were the gears that came stock in those cars? 3:42? To those who upgraded to 4:10s, what kind of difference did you feel? Was it significant? Was it worth the upgrade in your opinion?
Beware of bad milage and drivetrain breakage.
Race Director
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From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by canadianguy
Beware of bad milage and drivetrain breakage.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Sahuarita AZ
Originally Posted by canadianguy
Beware of bad milage and drivetrain breakage.
Cherish your Hopes...
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: West Palm Beach FL
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by sdnet
How big of a problem is drivetrain breakage? Meaning...would the very driving that these gears enable actually wind up hurting the drivetrain in many cases?
running 4.10 was a cool mod...
...gas mileage change none...found 6th gear actually useful after change
...StuzVette leaps...
added severe duty transfer axle in the upgrade...
still get 29-30 mpg...when Im not enjoying the supercharger...
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Le Mans Master
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From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Originally Posted by canadianguy
Beware of bad milage and drivetrain breakage.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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From: Sahuarita AZ
Thanks for the information, Stuart.
Does anyone have any solid facts that prove 4:10 gears actually increase low-end torque and not just give the effect of torque because you happen to be shifting quicker?
Does anyone have any solid facts that prove 4:10 gears actually increase low-end torque and not just give the effect of torque because you happen to be shifting quicker?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Houston Texas
Originally Posted by TT_Vert
between vararam, 4.10s and drag radials i went from 13.1@109 to 12.2@112.5. over 100 passes, no breakage w/ 4.10s and 1.7x 60' times
Dave
Dave
anyone tried a 4.10 with a high(3600 yank TC) with an A4?
Pro
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From: Scarborough
Originally Posted by sdnet
How big of a problem is drivetrain breakage? Meaning...would the very driving that these gears enable actually wind up hurting the drivetrain in many cases?
Pro
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From: Scarborough
Originally Posted by WWK888
Do you have actual facts to back up your statement as far drivetrain breakage? The mileage may decrease just because it is more fun to drive, but you always have 6th gear for highway cruising. Then again I didnt buy my Vette to save on gas, although averaging 20 mpg aint too bad for a Z06.
So let's say you get 4:10's and some Nittos. Okay, you're set, lots of traction, lots of dig.
But you know, all that torque you're making now is running through the crankshaft, into the torque tube, through the universal joints into the transmission with all its gears (and pumps if you've got an A4), into the differential, out to the axles. And now you're putting anywhere from about 12% to 75% (depending on which ratio you choose) more torque through all that expensive metal than you were before. So, you can logically expect it to break from 12%-75% faster. That's why pro dragsters have things like driveshaft loops and scattershields.
There's no such thing as a free lunch. You can have a lot of fun with big gears but be ready to pay for them down the road.
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The 4.10s will make a significant difference in your car. Good point about the potential of things breaking faster.
Instructor
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From: Jonesboro LA
Originally Posted by sdnet
Thanks for the information, Stuart.
Does anyone have any solid facts that prove 4:10 gears actually increase low-end torque and not just give the effect of torque because you happen to be shifting quicker?
Does anyone have any solid facts that prove 4:10 gears actually increase low-end torque and not just give the effect of torque because you happen to be shifting quicker?
All theorems aside, the 4.10 rear axle allows your engine to be closer to the rpm level where it generates maximum HP and maximum torque at lower vehicle speeds. This helps overcome parasitic drag such as rolling resistance, mechanical friction and air resistance at a time when the engine is not at optimum speeds.
You would be shifting quicker because you had reached the optimal engine speeds to reach the power and torque levels you needed quicker.
One final note, I used general numbers to ease the calculations and hopefully make what I was saying easier to understand. These are not actual dynamometer readings.
Last edited by WillK; Jun 8, 2005 at 07:17 AM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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From: Sahuarita AZ
Thanks everyone for their responses and explanations. I guess my next question is this: has anyone actually experienced damage from 4.10:1 gears? I'm somewhat surprised that Corvette's aren't built to carry the heavier load, even though that load may not come stock.
Race Director
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From: Schaumburg IL
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Originally Posted by canadianguy
Yes, bigger gears will give much better acceleration. BIG gears will get GREAT acceleration, BUT only if you get bigger stickier tires. Otherwise, you just spin.
So let's say you get 4:10's and some Nittos. Okay, you're set, lots of traction, lots of dig.
But you know, all that torque you're making now is running through the crankshaft, into the torque tube, through the universal joints into the transmission with all its gears (and pumps if you've got an A4), into the differential, out to the axles. And now you're putting anywhere from about 12% to 75% (depending on which ratio you choose) more torque through all that expensive metal than you were before. So, you can logically expect it to break from 12%-75% faster. That's why pro dragsters have things like driveshaft loops and scattershields.
There's no such thing as a free lunch. You can have a lot of fun with big gears but be ready to pay for them down the road.
So let's say you get 4:10's and some Nittos. Okay, you're set, lots of traction, lots of dig.
But you know, all that torque you're making now is running through the crankshaft, into the torque tube, through the universal joints into the transmission with all its gears (and pumps if you've got an A4), into the differential, out to the axles. And now you're putting anywhere from about 12% to 75% (depending on which ratio you choose) more torque through all that expensive metal than you were before. So, you can logically expect it to break from 12%-75% faster. That's why pro dragsters have things like driveshaft loops and scattershields.
There's no such thing as a free lunch. You can have a lot of fun with big gears but be ready to pay for them down the road.
Well said. 410's are a great mod, but like any other mod do your homework and think through what I call the Domino effect so you don't end up breaking something. Everyone seems to forget about traction to. You will feel a great difference from 342 to 410 but as the above post states,,think about the rest of the equation before you do this.Good luck and happy modding
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Don't let the naysayers scare you. 4:10's are a GREAT mod if you don't plan on going crazy with other mods. As long as you stay at or below 400rwhp 4:10's are one of the best mods you can do.....and your risk for breaking things is really no greater than with 3:42's. And at those power levels wheel spin isn't a huge problem if you've got any clue how to drive.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Tampa Florida
i had the 4.10's severe duty set up in my 2000 hardtop with just bolt on's, no throttle body or computer work. great mod!
with 3.42's the car ran 12.15ET @ just over 115mph and just adding the 4.10's went to 11.88ET @ well over 117mph.
you won't regret it!
with 3.42's the car ran 12.15ET @ just over 115mph and just adding the 4.10's went to 11.88ET @ well over 117mph.
you won't regret it!