Dave,
More performance - engine mods versus new gears
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
More performance - engine mods versus new gears
I suspect this has been discussed before, but I failed to come up with the appropriate search keywords, so I'll pose this question.
My MN6 '01 coupe is primarily used for pleasure driving. It is basically stock, as I'm not inclined to be wanting to tinker with it all the time, or encounter the aggravation of mods gone wrong. If I wanted a bit more visceral performance though, say to the level of a C5 Z06, could this be achieved by getting new gears, like 3.90s, as opposed to engine mods? I am an easy drive over to Rodney at RPM, and would have him do the work....
Your thoughts are appreciated.
My MN6 '01 coupe is primarily used for pleasure driving. It is basically stock, as I'm not inclined to be wanting to tinker with it all the time, or encounter the aggravation of mods gone wrong. If I wanted a bit more visceral performance though, say to the level of a C5 Z06, could this be achieved by getting new gears, like 3.90s, as opposed to engine mods? I am an easy drive over to Rodney at RPM, and would have him do the work....
Your thoughts are appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,448
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From: Sarasota Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
Absolutely. Going from 3.42s to 4.10s is an instant 20% increase in torque, in all gears, at all speeds. Torque is what pushes you back in the seat, not horsepower, so you will definitely feel the difference.
Le Mans Master
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From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
Premium Supporting Vendor
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From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
The 3.90 that Phil did on mine were the single best mod I've done so far. 
Peace
Chip
Peace
Chip
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Le Mans Master
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From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Sarasota Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
If you're going to stay mostly stock under the hood I would go 4.10s. You'll still only be turning about 2100 rpm at 80 mph, so gas mileage won't suffer much. Might as well get the full bang for the bucks spent on the mod. 
Guys that go with 3.90s usually either have or plan on serious engine mods, and feel that 4.10s would be "too much" in first gear.
Guys that go with 3.90s usually either have or plan on serious engine mods, and feel that 4.10s would be "too much" in first gear.
Team Owner
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Le Mans Master
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From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Ditto. My plan for Winter,2008. When I spun wrenches in a local Harley Dealership the biggest bang for the buck was Andrews gears (including countershaft sprocket) over engine work hands down.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,943
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From: Henderson NV
Went from 2:73's to DTE stage 2 3:73's, with Headesr and xpipe and a mild cam and heads, let me tell you, night and day, the gears will get you into the powerband instantly, no matter what set up you have, that is why people mistaken gears as a HP mod, it basically gets you to wear you can use the HP to its full potential.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
). While I certainly wouldn't say no to having more power, in the abstract, I'm not sure that I fully take advantage of what I have now, and perhaps gears would change that....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Mayfield kentucky
Originally Posted by Gannet
Absolutely. Going from 3.42s to 4.10s is an instant 20% increase in torque, in all gears, at all speeds. Torque is what pushes you back in the seat, not horsepower, so you will definitely feel the difference.
Best bang for the buck if you want SOTP improvement
Absolutely. Going from 3.42s to 4.10s is an instant 20% increase in torque, in all gears, at all speeds. Torque is what pushes you back in the seat, not horsepower, so you will definitely feel the difference.
Best bang for the buck if you want SOTP improvement
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 858
Likes: 1
From: Omaha Nebraska
What skill level and tools are involved in changing out a complete differential ???
I've been thinking about 4.10 gears and would like to purchase a complete diff. and install myself.
Any hints/tips ???
THANKS !!!
I've been thinking about 4.10 gears and would like to purchase a complete diff. and install myself.
Any hints/tips ???
THANKS !!!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: BROOKLYN PARK MN
http://www.cajundude.com/differential.htm
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,038
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
My first perf mod was 4.10s. They were perfect, fantastic, I loved the
gears, still do... But had I known then I was going to do the engine mods
I've done I would have probably gone with 3.72s or 3.90s. But if your
certain your not going to mod your engine then go with 4.10s, you'll love'm!
gears, still do... But had I known then I was going to do the engine mods
I've done I would have probably gone with 3.72s or 3.90s. But if your
certain your not going to mod your engine then go with 4.10s, you'll love'm!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 18
From: Henderson NV
Check Mikes site out he shows a step by step of his changeout