I'm considering sticking my toe in the shallow end of the mod pool. Perhaps a Halltech intake, LG long tube headers, DTE (3:90 or 4:10) pumpkin and a tune? Or, as long as the checkbook is out I may jump in head first and go the ProCharger route! These will all be installed by a trusted professional.

My semi-newbie question is, do taller gears actually make the car faster/quicker? All (other) things equal would a 3:90-4:10 car make it across the finish line before one with a stock Z06 ratio? Does this cause more "from a dead stop" wheelspin? This is more than just a gratifying seat of the pants thing isn't it?

Would I be better off leaving the stock Z06 ratio if I do plan to go forced induction? Is talking seriously about mods the first symptom of the disease???

 

yes, my 2000 hardtop ran 12.15 et @ 115 mph with the stock 3.42 and ran 11.88 et @ 117 mph the first time down the track with the only change being the 4.11 gears.

Todd

 

 

If you plan on Forced Induction in the future, leave the stock gears in there - trust me, it'll be more than a handfull to get traction.

 

On my 03 I went to a 4:11 gear, headers, pulled off the cats & it's tied into Corsa's. Then off course had the computer retuned. Once you learn some good throttle management you won't smoke the tires unless thats what you want. They will smoke thru 3rd with this set up.

 

one of my first mods were gears......4.10's!!!! bad *** mod really woke up the cars.....do it u wont regret it.

 

Mymaur-THAT sounds like a good time!

Anyone know if the jump to 3.73 would be pretty good kick in the pants/am I gonna have to go the 3.90 or 4.10 route?

 

im going to do 3.90's in the future

 

bump

 

Alot of guys who slap in 3.90's/4.10's don't run any faster times on the track. Often they run slower because they increase the amount of wheelspin(esp on the launch and the 1-2) on an already traction limited car. I've seen it happen dozens of times.
If you are semi serious about drag racing I would first try and get the car in the low 12's stock. Then I would consider the gears(3.90's with an M12) and begin to learn the new tech necessary to keep the car moving forward without excessive wheelspin.
An average driver on street tires will likely NOT go faster with just the addition of gears on the drag strip.
The best thing you can do to take advantage of having the gears is get better at driving and controlling wheelspin with seat time and get STICKIER TIRES. There are some other minor factors that come into play but aren't relavent unless your splitting hairs and drag racing all the time for every .01.
So, don't expect to run faster without STICKY tires and better technique for controlling wheelspin.
My purpose for posting is not to have a huge debate on this. It has been debated endlessly on many old threads.
I just want people to know(thru my experiences) that if you simply put gears on your bone stock z06 and run it the same exact way that your NOT going to have a faster ET. Hope I answered some of your questions.
With that being said, I find the m12 with 3.90 gears a blast to drive. The fun factor goes up considerably.

 

You won't be disappointed with any gear swap. The taller the gear the more fun you'll have. As for sticky tires. Definite plus. Stock tires just like to spin. However the axles are known to be a weak point. With my new rear, stronger axles were also supplied. I am not sure if all suppliers do this or if it only is for the really steep gears. Ask your installer. Or if your going to do the install get smart. A broken axle is an ugly thing.

 

Thanks for the info robz, I'm in off the ledge now. I'm pretty satisfied with the car in stock form but it's hard to park "plain Jane" next to some monument to the aftermarket at a show and not get the itch. I will need new rubber next spring and am searching feverishly to find just the right tire for the street. Every time I settle on one another comes along to blur my decision. I consider myself a decent driver but admit to being in the "walk before you run" steps of learning this car. If I could experience the Z06's acceleration without going up in smoke I might be able to hold off the bug for another season!

 

Right on robz. I was def. thinking of BFGoodies I realize how much play I have to do in the stock Z on street tires, so I figured its a given I would be trollin around on some DR's if I made the jump

mymaur-is that the hardened/industrial strength output shaft you are speaking of?

QSZ- Goodluck with not breakin down and jumping! I know I won't be able to resist

 

Yes wheel spin is a factor but nothing that a set of Stickies wont take care of.....besides u shouldnt be racing on the street....