new ring gears
Thread Starter
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,446
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From: Press "2" for English
new ring gears
o.k., i've done the search but must not have done something right because i didn't get a whole lot of returns.
so here goes:
i'm thinking of changing the ring & pinion while the tranny is out for synchros. from what i have seen, many people here have gone with the 3.73 while others have gone with the 4.11. both people swear by their selection and don't recommend the other. seems like 3.90 would be a good choice, is that ratio available?
i have a MN6 and the build sheet shows 3.42. i have always heard a gear change is pointless unless it is at least a point .5 difference.
i'm looking for better acceleration and to actually use 6th gear while on the freeway. since it's a convertible, i'm not going for any bonzai runs so my top speed will be limited to ~120mph.
the questions for those of you who have done this change, what is your engine speed at freeway cruising in 6th and is a computer relearn required for correct speedometer reading?
so here goes:
i'm thinking of changing the ring & pinion while the tranny is out for synchros. from what i have seen, many people here have gone with the 3.73 while others have gone with the 4.11. both people swear by their selection and don't recommend the other. seems like 3.90 would be a good choice, is that ratio available?
i have a MN6 and the build sheet shows 3.42. i have always heard a gear change is pointless unless it is at least a point .5 difference.
i'm looking for better acceleration and to actually use 6th gear while on the freeway. since it's a convertible, i'm not going for any bonzai runs so my top speed will be limited to ~120mph.
the questions for those of you who have done this change, what is your engine speed at freeway cruising in 6th and is a computer relearn required for correct speedometer reading?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
4.10's are the ONLY way to go on an MN6. Every other ratio is worthless!
J/K!
You need to take your driving habits, future plans and preferences into account. The 4.10's fit the bill for my needs but 3.90's may be the ticket for you if you want a little milder feel. After a year with my gears, I couldn't imagine going back to the stock ratio nor anything less. It took very little time for it to feel totally natural - maybe 1 hour of drive time. I remember leaving the tuner's after having them installed and being shocked at the actual S.E.G. on my face in the rearview. 
The reason folks with experience will tell you to do at least 3.90's is because a 9% reduction is not much of a SOTP nor $ value.
I finally uploaded the gear/rpm/mph tables to my website so I don't have to email them individually. It's an Excel speadsheet. Click on the link below and do a File/Save As to save it to your hd.
Gear/RPM/MPH Tables
I wish I could remember who originally sent me these tables. I have links to sites to generate the numbers but it's nice to already have it done.
Anyway, thanks to the originator. 
J/K!
You need to take your driving habits, future plans and preferences into account. The 4.10's fit the bill for my needs but 3.90's may be the ticket for you if you want a little milder feel. After a year with my gears, I couldn't imagine going back to the stock ratio nor anything less. It took very little time for it to feel totally natural - maybe 1 hour of drive time. I remember leaving the tuner's after having them installed and being shocked at the actual S.E.G. on my face in the rearview. The reason folks with experience will tell you to do at least 3.90's is because a 9% reduction is not much of a SOTP nor $ value.
I finally uploaded the gear/rpm/mph tables to my website so I don't have to email them individually. It's an Excel speadsheet. Click on the link below and do a File/Save As to save it to your hd.
Gear/RPM/MPH Tables
I wish I could remember who originally sent me these tables. I have links to sites to generate the numbers but it's nice to already have it done.
Anyway, thanks to the originator.
Last edited by Patches; Aug 23, 2004 at 04:10 PM.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Orange California
4.10 are the way to go with the 6 speed.
Call me for pricing,
Paul
888-737-8388
ext 232
Call me for pricing,
Paul
888-737-8388
ext 232
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I'd recommend the 3.90's or 4.10's. Just because it is a Vert, doesn't mean you can't get it past 120.
Thread Starter
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Press "2" for English
JD, i know full well it can go past 120. it's just not likely so long as i'm driving, not without a rollcage anyway.
Patches, am i reading that correctly that the numbers in the gear columns is velocity at that particular engine speed? if so and i'm reading that correctly, it states that with my current gear selection i'm turning ~1600rpm at 75mph in 6th gear (which appears to be accurate the few times i've actually used 6th gear), and that stepping up to a 4.10 would equate to approximately 2000rpm at that same speed. is that correct? if so, then i almost have to go with the 4.10.
for this car, my driving style is mostly around town driving so best acceleration would be more of a priority. even the amount of highway driving i anticipate, i just don't see a significant downside to only turning 2k at freeway speed. and simply because it's a red corvette, i will try to remain as close to a legal speed as i can withstand. hell, the '81 turns 2600 at that speed and it still got 20mpg on flat ground.
Patches, am i reading that correctly that the numbers in the gear columns is velocity at that particular engine speed? if so and i'm reading that correctly, it states that with my current gear selection i'm turning ~1600rpm at 75mph in 6th gear (which appears to be accurate the few times i've actually used 6th gear), and that stepping up to a 4.10 would equate to approximately 2000rpm at that same speed. is that correct? if so, then i almost have to go with the 4.10.
for this car, my driving style is mostly around town driving so best acceleration would be more of a priority. even the amount of highway driving i anticipate, i just don't see a significant downside to only turning 2k at freeway speed. and simply because it's a red corvette, i will try to remain as close to a legal speed as i can withstand. hell, the '81 turns 2600 at that speed and it still got 20mpg on flat ground.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Sounds like the 4.10's are in your future. It'd be nice if you could drive a 4.10-geared car to solidify your choice. Never hurts to confirm your choice before forkin' over the scratch.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
you 6 speed guys have the luxury of two overdrive gears... that can accomodate a 4.10 rear axle ratio nicely while cruising on the highway.
Question for those with 4.10's ... how to you keep from blowing your launch at the dragstrip ???
Question for those with 4.10's ... how to you keep from blowing your launch at the dragstrip ???
Last edited by Mike Mercury; Aug 24, 2004 at 12:01 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Look at the final drive ratios of the MN6 with 4.10's and the standard 3.42 M12 in the table below, Tim. Notice how close first gear is for the two of them. Launching my car can't be too different than launching a Z06 with comparable rwhp. There are guys out there with 4.10's in their Z's. Ask them the same question. 
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Thread Starter
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,446
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
well, that whole idea just got shot to hell. i got my car back from the dealer today and they already replaced 2nd gear synchros. so much for doing it while the tranny was already out! 
guess i'll just have to crunch a few gears, after all i do have extended warranty!
guess i'll just have to crunch a few gears, after all i do have extended warranty!