4.10s = better traction?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 5
From: Longmont Colorado
4.10s = better traction?
Ive heard both ways about 4.10 gears. Ive heard some people say that the wheels are actually spinning slower so off the line you should get better traction. Then ive heard some people say thats totally bogus and that the wheels are spinning way faster than stock so traction will be horrible. Which is it? I would really like to know and i know people on here can help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles
A smaller gear turns faster than a larger gear.
3.42 < 4.10
For every 3.42 rotations of the driveshaft, the wheels will rotate one time with a 3.42 gear
For every 4.10 rotations of the driveshaft, the wheels will rotate one time with a 4.10 gear.
However, the engine requires more effort to turn a larger gear. Perhaps with an underpowered car you could see "better traction" because it didn't have the power to break it loose... but was faster because it moved through the gears quicker.
With the corvette's power, even stock, you should be breaking traction far easier with 4.10s than with 3.42s. So as far as better traction with the corvette? No, I doubt it. But the in either case, the vehicle is faster in the low end with the 4.10
3.42 < 4.10
For every 3.42 rotations of the driveshaft, the wheels will rotate one time with a 3.42 gear
For every 4.10 rotations of the driveshaft, the wheels will rotate one time with a 4.10 gear.
However, the engine requires more effort to turn a larger gear. Perhaps with an underpowered car you could see "better traction" because it didn't have the power to break it loose... but was faster because it moved through the gears quicker.
With the corvette's power, even stock, you should be breaking traction far easier with 4.10s than with 3.42s. So as far as better traction with the corvette? No, I doubt it. But the in either case, the vehicle is faster in the low end with the 4.10
Last edited by DefenderC5; Aug 2, 2007 at 11:33 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,101
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From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
With your example of the two gear sets, you would expect a higher top speed with the lower (4.10) gears, since you would be traveling farther with each revolution of the driveshaft - but we know it doesn't work that way....
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,333
Likes: 1
From: VA
St. Jude Donor '03-'11
um... for a given rpm wheels turn slower, but with greater torque multiplication. It is easier to break them loose.
Those who say it is not easier have two problems:
1- they don't understand what's happening
2- they obviously haven't tried it
Those who say it is not easier have two problems:
1- they don't understand what's happening
2- they obviously haven't tried it
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,145
Likes: 1
From: Bradenton FLORIDA
[QUOTE=wamara;1561335889]Ummm, don't you have this backwards? i.e., shouldn't this be: for every 3.42 rotations of the driveshaft, the wheels turn once?
With your example of the two gear sets, you would expect a higher top speed with the lower (4.10) gears, since you would be traveling farther with each revolution of the driveshaft - but we know it doesn't work that way....[/QUOTE]
You are correct! The engine will be turning a higher RPM with 4.10's than 3.42's.....thus the drive shaft is as well, but the wheels turn at a slower RPM.
With your example of the two gear sets, you would expect a higher top speed with the lower (4.10) gears, since you would be traveling farther with each revolution of the driveshaft - but we know it doesn't work that way....[/QUOTE]
You are correct! The engine will be turning a higher RPM with 4.10's than 3.42's.....thus the drive shaft is as well, but the wheels turn at a slower RPM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,524
Likes: 0
From: Burbs Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06
However, the engine requires more effort to turn a larger gear. Perhaps with an underpowered car you could see "better traction" because it didn't have the power to break it loose... but was faster because it moved through the gears quicker.
With the corvette's power, even stock, you should be breaking traction far easier with 4.10s than with 3.42s. So as far as better traction with the corvette? No, I doubt it. But the in either case, the vehicle is faster in the low end with the 4.10
With the corvette's power, even stock, you should be breaking traction far easier with 4.10s than with 3.42s. So as far as better traction with the corvette? No, I doubt it. But the in either case, the vehicle is faster in the low end with the 4.10
with this part, well said
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles
Ummm, don't you have this backwards? i.e., shouldn't this be: for every 3.42 rotations of the driveshaft, the wheels turn once?
With your example of the two gear sets, you would expect a higher top speed with the lower (4.10) gears, since you would be traveling farther with each revolution of the driveshaft - but we know it doesn't work that way....
With your example of the two gear sets, you would expect a higher top speed with the lower (4.10) gears, since you would be traveling farther with each revolution of the driveshaft - but we know it doesn't work that way....
Fixed for ya 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
He must be an unsure and carefuly customer. He should find somebody near him wth the gears to take him for a ride. To bad your not in NJ. I'd show you how traction limited they can be.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Simpsonville SC
It's like any other power adder mod. You have to learn how to use it. 4.10's are the sh**, I run them in my 600+ rwhp procharged Z and yes it spins less. The car takes less power to get moving quicker from a dig, and from a roll it's just insane.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18,308
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From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
Gears don't put any additional strain on the engine, other than the fact that at the same speed, the RPM's will be higher. If that's what you mean, than I agree.
Using the 3.42->4.10 analogy, the wheels on the 4.10 car will spin aprrox 20% slower, but the torque at the wheels will have increased 20%. Since the tire diameter is staying the same, the force applied between the road and the tread will also increase by 20%. This translates into decreased traction, any way you look at it.
Stickier tires also help
Using the 3.42->4.10 analogy, the wheels on the 4.10 car will spin aprrox 20% slower, but the torque at the wheels will have increased 20%. Since the tire diameter is staying the same, the force applied between the road and the tread will also increase by 20%. This translates into decreased traction, any way you look at it.
Stickier tires also help
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
ding... ding... ding, we have a winner !
you take a person that doesn't have the natural born-with talent to begin with (I am one of them)... then add incredible amounts of increased rear wheel thrust... and it becomes more an embarrassment than a race winner.
Be careful what you wish for... traction does not remain a constant.
you take a person that doesn't have the natural born-with talent to begin with (I am one of them)... then add incredible amounts of increased rear wheel thrust... and it becomes more an embarrassment than a race winner.
Be careful what you wish for... traction does not remain a constant.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
Likes: 75
From: Haymarket VA
If you want traction get a 2.73 rear. You'll have lots of traction but it will be a DOG. 
I run 3.90's w/ 500 to the wheels and it's perfect. I have great traction in 4th, 5th and 6th gear. 
I run 3.90's w/ 500 to the wheels and it's perfect. I have great traction in 4th, 5th and 6th gear.
Premium Supporting Vendor
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From: Central Jersey
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The only time 4.10's will have less traction is if the car has body side mouldings and a performance hood seal.
Race Director
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From: Haymarket VA
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 241
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From: Marion Ohio
Another way to explain it...off the line, the engine's rpm will rise faster with the 4.10's, thus getting into the engine's power band quicker, thus putting more power to the ground quicker, thus making it easier to lose traction! 
