[Z06] 4.11's???
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,032
Likes: 124
From: Dallas TX
Amazingly, I still get well over 25mpg on the highway. Less throttle opening is needed with more aggressive gearing to maintain speed. The engine doesn't have to work as hard, though the rpm's are up a bit, it nets out for the most part.
3.90 or 4.10 gears work great for daily driver work. Instant thrust in practically any gear.
3.90 or 4.10 gears work great for daily driver work. Instant thrust in practically any gear.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
I haven't personally done it but I've read on some of the other threads that people have actually increased their top speed to 180+ from the increased power of the gear. Top speed in stock form is done in 5th, the only difference is that with the gear you will do it in 6th.
You will definitely lose as much as 20% mpg because you'll be turning 20% more rpms at any given speed. Since you can always be in a higher gear than normal while tooling around town and accelerating normally, it probably won't affect your intown/stop n go mileage very much. On the highway, your only choice will be 6th gear with the higher revs so if travel is your game, the gear may not be for you.
If you travel 10k miles a year, that's roughly 400 gallons of gas at roughly $2 is $800/yr. So with a 20% loss in mpg it'll cost you an extra $160/yr. For $160, I wouldn't make fuel consumption an issue.
It comes down to a "matter of a pinion" (get it? opinion?
sometimes I crack myself up! 
)
You will definitely lose as much as 20% mpg because you'll be turning 20% more rpms at any given speed. Since you can always be in a higher gear than normal while tooling around town and accelerating normally, it probably won't affect your intown/stop n go mileage very much. On the highway, your only choice will be 6th gear with the higher revs so if travel is your game, the gear may not be for you.
If you travel 10k miles a year, that's roughly 400 gallons of gas at roughly $2 is $800/yr. So with a 20% loss in mpg it'll cost you an extra $160/yr. For $160, I wouldn't make fuel consumption an issue.
It comes down to a "matter of a pinion" (get it? opinion?
sometimes I crack myself up! )
Last edited by robvuk; Nov 11, 2004 at 10:50 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 26,794
Likes: 614
From: Elmhurst, IL (West Suburb of Chicago) & Home of MEGA Horsepower
St. Jude Donor '06
Don't think twice i had 4.10 in my 03 Z06 for 12K miles and they were a riot and the acceleration is A BLAST. FORGET traction in the 1 and 2 with the stock F1 tires, but then again that is half the fun. GO FOR IT, LIFE IS SHORT, the difference between 3.90 and 4.10 is negligible and if you d 3.90 you will always be thinking i SHOULD OF JUST GONE WITH 4.10s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BEEN THERE done that and RECOMMEND IT HIGHLY!!!
BEEN THERE done that and RECOMMEND IT HIGHLY!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
From: Fords NJ
Well my car as in the shop right now getting a spec III clutch hardened out put shaft and the 4.10's. Cant wait to get it back. they should go great with the h/c package in my z. I want the pin you in the seat effect not to mention jet like acceleration.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 1
From: Augusta GA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Good points all, BUT what about 1/4 times? 3.42 to 4.10 is about 2/10 maybe yes??? I am talking a bolt on Z with DRs. Seems like a huge bang for the buck. Anyone???
Dave
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
I saw a show on TV where they talked about those COPO (Central Office Production Order), cars and some of them had 4.10's. It seems to have worked fine for those early Camaro's.
My 03 Z06 is not a daily driver, so now I'm reconsidering 4.10's instead of 3.90's. Currently 6th gear is a waste of gearing.
My 03 Z06 is not a daily driver, so now I'm reconsidering 4.10's instead of 3.90's. Currently 6th gear is a waste of gearing.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Shylor
I saw a show on TV where they talked about those COPO (Central Office Production Order), cars and some of them had 4.10's. It seems to have worked fine for those early Camaro's.
My 03 Z06 is not a daily driver, so now I'm reconsidering 4.10's instead of 3.90's. Currently 6th gear is a waste of gearing.
My 03 Z06 is not a daily driver, so now I'm reconsidering 4.10's instead of 3.90's. Currently 6th gear is a waste of gearing.
It wasn't just the COPO cars that had the 4.11 rears from the factory. In 1966 I ordered a 396-375 HP Chevelle with the 4.11 rear. That was the biggest rear that you could get from the factory. I later had the 4.11s removed for 4.88s. It was a great move! Best gear in that car was third gear. Pulled like crazy. Those gears really woke that motor up. Remember ..... in those days we only had 4 gears, so highway driving was tough. If I remember correctly.......?
At 60 MPH my tach was reading very close to 4000 RPM. It was great for the street, but not good on the highway. It also had the close ratio gear box which helped a little.
There were a couple of vettes that had 5.12 gears installed. They would probably not be able to do any more that 100 MPH. ( If that?)
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Shylor
I saw a show on TV where they talked about those COPO (Central Office Production Order), cars and some of them had 4.10's. It seems to have worked fine for those early Camaro's.
My 03 Z06 is not a daily driver, so now I'm reconsidering 4.10's instead of 3.90's. Currently 6th gear is a waste of gearing.
My 03 Z06 is not a daily driver, so now I'm reconsidering 4.10's instead of 3.90's. Currently 6th gear is a waste of gearing.
It wasn't just the COPO cars that had the 4.11 rears from the factory. In 1966 I ordered a 396-375 HP Chevelle with the 4.11 rear. That was the biggest rear that you could get from the factory. I later had the 4.11s removed for 4.88s. It was a great move! Best gear in that car was third gear. Pulled like crazy. Those gears really woke that motor up. Remember ..... in those days we only had 4 gears, so highway driving was tough. If I remember correctly.......?
At 60 MPH my tach was reading very close to 4000 RPM. It was great for the street, but not good on the highway. It also had the close ratio gear box which helped a little.
There were a couple of vettes that had 5.12 gears installed. They would probably not be able to do any more than 100 MPH. ( If that?)
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by zoomdaddy
No! In those days..... I am pretty sure it was 4.11s. Today it is 4.10s with the Vette.
Sorry, Jim
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Tracktion for sure will be a probleme, even in third gear you will break loose. I would recomend getting drag radials. As a matter of fact, if you want to get the most out of your rear end, DR's are a must.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,096
Likes: 153
From: "Atlanta" Ga.
Originally Posted by Shylor
Don't you mean 4.10's?
It worked great in that car, gave me alot of off the line zip and made 6th a valuable gear.
However after having the Z I wonder if 4.11 (or 4.10) is to much??? Right now I'm shifting out of 1st very quickly. With the more aggressive gearing in the Z, I would be afraid 4.11's would turn 1st into a granny gear. I have spoken to several 1/4 mile racers and they all said 3.90 gears was the tallest they would go, they felt there was a point of diminisioning returns. And yes they were all Z drivers.
I loved the gear change on the C4, I'm just not sure if It would be as good on the Z. Best bet is to drive someone else's and see, again my concern is more than traction. With the Z's power and tranny set-up, will you be able to effectively shift out of 1st. Also in a 1/4 mile will it require you to shift to 5th to finish the quarter, this will also slow you down in a 1/4 mile race.
Just talking points
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
Gonzo,
Now you are making me think about 3.90's again. That probably would be the better course for a street driven weekend car. Now to find a good price for the parts and labor in my area. Not much to choose from, so I may have to drive outside of town a few hours to find a decent place.
Now you are making me think about 3.90's again. That probably would be the better course for a street driven weekend car. Now to find a good price for the parts and labor in my area. Not much to choose from, so I may have to drive outside of town a few hours to find a decent place.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
Originally Posted by RandyVettes
We put 4.10's in our A4 vert and I recommend it to anyone! Its a blast and still a fine daily driver.
Yes I guess 4.10's would be better for a Vert or Coupe. But I was talking about a Z06.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
From: Fords NJ
from the guys i talked to with zo6 with 4.10's and they say u will be at the end of fourth gear when u go through the traps, you wont have to go into fifth. im sticking with my choice, i'll let you know the results when i get it back and break it in
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Yellow03ZO6
from the guys i talked to with zo6 with 4.10's and they say u will be at the end of fourth gear when u go through the traps, you wont have to go into fifth. im sticking with my choice, i'll let you know the results when i get it back and break it in
Be sure to heat cycle your rear immediately after installation, then put it in the garage for the night. Also resist the urge to get on it for 500 miles. In the meantime the car will be more enjoyable to drive because you will actually want to use 5th and 6th gears. Before the 4.10s I avoided going past 4th gear unless I was on the highway.
I notice that you live in NJ. Is ECS doing your ring and pinion installation? if so..... you are in good hands.