New vette owner here. Proud owner of a 2002 C5Z. Below is the dyno graph of the car I bought and now own. The car is sitting in the garage (and will stay there) until the nice Spring weather arrives. I sold my 2003 mildly modded Cobra to get this car. The "new"vette is N/A. Having the Cobra with its twin screw blower has made me learn to love the low rpm instant torque. That is what I like. I am not a drag racer, (probably wont ever take the car to the track) I am a stop light to stop light kinda guy. I like the instant acceleration when I drop it down to 3rd at 60mph and pass the guy in front of me before he even knows he is being passed.

I have read plenty of threads about gears, so I was thinking about adding 3.90's to the beast. Based on the dyno graph you see below, do you think I am kidding myself with the need for gears?? I was always told "DONT FEAR THE GEAR!!" LOL!, but dont want the to make the car undriveable either. I ask, because this is my first vette and I have no experience with a stock vette, therefore, nothing to compare it to, and due to the weahter in my neighborhood (Indiana) havent been able to drive the car all that much (and even if I could, the pavement is so cold, it wouldnt be a fair representation) If it were your car, what would you do?

Even though I cant enjoy driving the car right now, just seeing it sitting in my garage gives me a ***** everyday!! LOL!

 

Once you get out and drive it for a while I think you will be happy with the stock gears. You will have neck snapping acceleration if your tires can hold traction.

 

I agree.... get some seat time before deciding.

I also have to ask what mods you have done..... your car is making really good power, is it forced induction or a big displacement set up, bit too stout to be a H/C set up.

 

That looks like a Maggie torque curve.

 

My race car has 5.83 gears and 530 HP. My Vette has 500 HP and 3.42s.... I'm getting 3.90s after I build the motor and blow the rear end. Don't fear the gear!

But like the guys said, get used to the car first. Not that it is all mighty powerful, but you should get used to it so you can appreciate the difference (if you still want to do the gears in a few months).

(I can't see your dyno graph in the office so maybe it is all mighty powerful... dunno till i get home).

 

i'm trying to answer that same question myself....!!!

i recently drove a 4.10 geared car, it was a stock c5, headers, different exhaust, etc., and let me tell ya, it was NUTS! (as in lotsa fun ).

i am very, very happy with my Z at the moment (just got a vararam and a tune, but that's it), and have learned to get much better at launches and also to know where i need to be (i.e., in what gear) once on the road, at speed...

that said, 4.10's, headers, ahhhh who knows what spring will bring! do i need it? no. do I want it? maybe...

let us know what you decide!

 

The car has a fully forged 402 w/ ETP LS7 heads, LS7 intake and TB, and a rather large custom Cartek cam, American racing headers. It is all motor, no power adders.

Yes, I would LOVE to get some seat time, gonna have to wait unitl beter weather for that though .

Thanks for all of the responses so far!

 

Sounds like a monster...... very nice set up. I can assure you it will be quite fun no matter what gear you go with (stock or 3.90). If you plan on keeping regular street tires on it I would definately stay with the 3.42's...... something sticky and you will really appreciate the gear swap