Full differential vs. gear set only ?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Mesa Arizona
Full differential vs. gear set only ?
Time for another dumb question... 
I have an 03 Z06. Did they come with 3.15 or 3.42 gears? (Doh!)
Is it best to replace the full differential unit for the hardened output shaft? Or, would I be okay changing gears only? I'm thinking 3.73s or 3.90s with about 520 rwhp.
Thanks in advance for your post!
I have an 03 Z06. Did they come with 3.15 or 3.42 gears? (Doh!)
Is it best to replace the full differential unit for the hardened output shaft? Or, would I be okay changing gears only? I'm thinking 3.73s or 3.90s with about 520 rwhp.
Thanks in advance for your post!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 46,764
Likes: 5
From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
3.42 in the ZO6. All these units 3.73, 3.90, 4.10 are rebuilt aftermarket units so you can send your rear to be rebuilt or purchase another unit to swap in. Entirely your choice. Most of us donot have the specialty tools to swap the gears in the housing. 
Bob
Bob
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 507
Likes: 6
From: Houston Tx
gears
You should have 3:42 gears, Just change the gears and I would go with 4:10's. I did last year in my 97 coupe 6 spd with 02 Z-06 motor and LOVE em'! Still cruises at about 1900 to 2000 rpm at about 75-80. Perfect, don't know why anybody would go with something less, chuck
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,550
Likes: 6
From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
Cruise-In 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
You won't be able to just swap out the ring and pinion yourself. Need expensive tools. You can however, take the diff out and bring it to the right place. Probably looking at around $250-300 for someone to do it. Or, you could send your diff to DTE and they will really hook you up.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
All these units 3.73
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Mesa Arizona
Thanks folks!!
What about the output shaft on my Z06? Would a rebuilt differential unit have a stronger one?
Also - Would the gearing in the M12 tranny make 4.10s a little too much?
What about the output shaft on my Z06? Would a rebuilt differential unit have a stronger one?
Also - Would the gearing in the M12 tranny make 4.10s a little too much?
Last edited by NOS_Z06; Feb 1, 2005 at 11:46 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,550
Likes: 6
From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
Cruise-In 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Not 100% positive (I have a Coupe) but I think I remember reading somewhere that the 4.10s might be too high. So I would definitely suggest looking into it further.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
3.73's with M12 is very very close to 4.10's with M6 tranny. Whether too much or not is up for debate...
I have a chart I can send you in excel if you are interested, just let me know where to email. Shows popular gear choices with M12 and M6 tranny.
I have a chart I can send you in excel if you are interested, just let me know where to email. Shows popular gear choices with M12 and M6 tranny.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
The 4.10's will be weaker than the 3.42's. This is just due to the teeth count/size. The teeth are smaller because they ring is smaller.
It is said that expensive tools are needed to do a gear swap but the service manual does not mention anything out of the ordinary. It seems like it could be done like any other gear swap, although if you have not done a gear swap before I would not recommend the Getrag as your practice platform.
It is said that expensive tools are needed to do a gear swap but the service manual does not mention anything out of the ordinary. It seems like it could be done like any other gear swap, although if you have not done a gear swap before I would not recommend the Getrag as your practice platform.
Collections Hold
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 6
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
The teeth are smaller because they ring is smaller.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 178
From: Jacksonville, NC
Originally Posted by DynoTech Engineering
The teeth are NOT smaller and the ring gear is also NOT smaller......... I'm not sure where this came/originated from, but it is COMPLETELY inaccurate.
DTE, I need to contact you and see about some gears
Jim K.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by DynoTech Engineering
The teeth are NOT smaller and the ring gear is also NOT smaller......... I'm not sure where this came/originated from, but it is COMPLETELY inaccurate.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 17,681
Likes: 11
From: Central Jersey
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Originally Posted by DynoTech Engineering
A monkey wrench and a big hammer..... 
