My current Mod thoughts....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: IL
My current Mod thoughts....
First, my tech guy said the SC would be about $10,000. I thought around $6,000, so the SC is a little further away than I thought.
So...in the meantime, I was thinking gear change to 3.42 (I think I have 3.15 as the service parts tag in the glove box says G92...and I believe in another thread thats what G92 means...3.15 gears....I have a '99 AT).
My tech guy said this will yield about 40 HP. He also said the ride will be a lot stiffer. What is exactly does that mean? As an everyday driver will I be bothered by this?
If I have a $3000-$4000 budget, what else should I add?
Lastly, In my first ever post, I stated that my car dyno'd low (270). My tech guy said he is doing something to reset the computer with some software program from Star that should hopefully take care of this lack of HP (having dyno'd the car himself, he did feel that is was low). Anyone hear of doing something like this?
So...in the meantime, I was thinking gear change to 3.42 (I think I have 3.15 as the service parts tag in the glove box says G92...and I believe in another thread thats what G92 means...3.15 gears....I have a '99 AT).
My tech guy said this will yield about 40 HP. He also said the ride will be a lot stiffer. What is exactly does that mean? As an everyday driver will I be bothered by this?
If I have a $3000-$4000 budget, what else should I add?
Lastly, In my first ever post, I stated that my car dyno'd low (270). My tech guy said he is doing something to reset the computer with some software program from Star that should hopefully take care of this lack of HP (having dyno'd the car himself, he did feel that is was low). Anyone hear of doing something like this?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 52
From: Wentzville, MO.
Changing gears won't add horsepower....but it will feel faster and accelerate quicker....you will need to have your shift points reprogrammed... as far as the ride being stiffer...no way...your changing gear ratio not suspension componets...you may also want to consider a performance torque converter and some LT headers...you may also consider changing tech guys... if he really said gears will give you 40hp and a stiffer ride... 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: DFW tx
Gears will help make it feel faster. Since you have an auto, you will want to do a shift kit and a torque converter. Hopefully someone that is more familiar with autos will chime in.
If you don't have an air intake, do that first. They make a big difference.
As far as the tuning, I have never heard of star. Most dyno shops that tune vettes use LS1 edit. Tuning won't do much for a stock engine. I don't feel it is worthwhile until you go past the bolt ons (unless autos require it for TC/gears).
If you don't have an air intake, do that first. They make a big difference.
As far as the tuning, I have never heard of star. Most dyno shops that tune vettes use LS1 edit. Tuning won't do much for a stock engine. I don't feel it is worthwhile until you go past the bolt ons (unless autos require it for TC/gears).
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: IL
Thanks for the feedback....so is the power by changing gears an illusion? It will seem like I am going faster but actually not? (sorry I'm confused).
Also, I thought after reading many posts on gears that this was a good thing to do for better acceleration!
By the way, I do have an air intake by K&N. Truthfully, I haven't seen any difference with it.
Also, I thought after reading many posts on gears that this was a good thing to do for better acceleration!
By the way, I do have an air intake by K&N. Truthfully, I haven't seen any difference with it.
Last edited by 1999 Vette; Mar 18, 2005 at 06:16 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Piscataway NJ
gears will make the car quicker not faster, quicker acceleration 0 to 60 will improve. 1 turn of the drive shaft 3.42 turns of the wheels. hope this helps. Its good seat of the pants type power.
Last edited by GreensKeeperNJ; Mar 18, 2005 at 10:49 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Hightstown nj
I agree with 99SilverC5Coupe regarding your tech guy. You might want to look elsewhere. If I had a stock automatic and $4k to spend, I would do the following:
Vararam VR-2B Intake - $380 (self installation) - this one's a no brainer and will easily get you 10rwhp over the stock airbox.
170 degree stat - $70 (self installation) - worth a few horsepower and not "too cold". Not a big power gainer, but it's cheap.
Pick up a slightly used 3.42 rear and have it installed approx $1200 ($600 for rear, $600 for install). As stated above, This will increase your rate of acceleration, although I think it's the other way around regarding drive shaft to tire turns (3.42 rear will turn the tire one revolution for every 3.42 turns of the driveshaft).
Cam installation with custom tune approx $1900 (stock exhaust is slightly restrictive, but even a mild cam with dynotune should get you 40rwhp)
The mods above come to around $3550. Take the $450 and save up for a Torque converter. Installation/tuning - approx $1,300
Vararam VR-2B Intake - $380 (self installation) - this one's a no brainer and will easily get you 10rwhp over the stock airbox.
170 degree stat - $70 (self installation) - worth a few horsepower and not "too cold". Not a big power gainer, but it's cheap.
Pick up a slightly used 3.42 rear and have it installed approx $1200 ($600 for rear, $600 for install). As stated above, This will increase your rate of acceleration, although I think it's the other way around regarding drive shaft to tire turns (3.42 rear will turn the tire one revolution for every 3.42 turns of the driveshaft).
Cam installation with custom tune approx $1900 (stock exhaust is slightly restrictive, but even a mild cam with dynotune should get you 40rwhp)
The mods above come to around $3550. Take the $450 and save up for a Torque converter. Installation/tuning - approx $1,300
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Country Boys Can Survive.
I would say, do longtube headers, and upgrade your air intake. Or, save another 2500.00 to go along with the 4000. you already have and do heads/cam. The only thing about heads and cam, would be you would probably want a higher stall torque converter. In which case you might also think about the converter, gears, and longtubes/air intake now, and save the money to later do the heads/cam. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Originally Posted by 99SilverC5Coupe
Changing gears won't add horsepower....but it will feel faster and accelerate quicker....you will need to have your shift points reprogrammed... as far as the ride being stiffer...no way...your changing gear ratio not suspension componets...you may also want to consider a performance torque converter and some LT headers...you may also consider changing tech guys... if he really said gears will give you 40hp and a stiffer ride...
Gears and a high stall T/C will make your car much quicker. IMO they are a must on an A4 if you want great performance.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: IL
Is he a corvette specialist? If you mean someone certified to work on vette's I'd say no. I went to this person based on referrals from other vette owners who have had good experience and he has worked on many other vettes. (but I know that doesn't mean he's doing it right) I will look around.
Thanks for the help!
PS are there any negatives to the higher gears (3.42) I should be aware of?
Thanks for the help!
PS are there any negatives to the higher gears (3.42) I should be aware of?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 1999 Vette
First, my tech guy said the SC would be about $10,000. I thought around $6,000, so the SC is a little further away than I thought.
So...in the meantime, I was thinking gear change to 3.42 (I think I have 3.15 as the service parts tag in the glove box says G92...and I believe in another thread thats what G92 means...3.15 gears....I have a '99 AT).
My tech guy said this will yield about 40 HP. He also said the ride will be a lot stiffer. What is exactly does that mean? As an everyday driver will I be bothered by this?
If I have a $3000-$4000 budget, what else should I add?
Lastly, In my first ever post, I stated that my car dyno'd low (270). My tech guy said he is doing something to reset the computer with some software program from Star that should hopefully take care of this lack of HP (having dyno'd the car himself, he did feel that is was low). Anyone hear of doing something like this?
So...in the meantime, I was thinking gear change to 3.42 (I think I have 3.15 as the service parts tag in the glove box says G92...and I believe in another thread thats what G92 means...3.15 gears....I have a '99 AT).
My tech guy said this will yield about 40 HP. He also said the ride will be a lot stiffer. What is exactly does that mean? As an everyday driver will I be bothered by this?
If I have a $3000-$4000 budget, what else should I add?
Lastly, In my first ever post, I stated that my car dyno'd low (270). My tech guy said he is doing something to reset the computer with some software program from Star that should hopefully take care of this lack of HP (having dyno'd the car himself, he did feel that is was low). Anyone hear of doing something like this?
Get a good torque converter, headers, catback, intake, thermostat and tuning. You should run mid to low 12's easily at 110-112mph.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 670
Likes: 0
From: mechanicsville maryland
Ask yourself how fast you want to go. I went 12.4 @114 mph with a full exhaust with a stock 3.15 rear and a stock converter. If you want to go into the 11's then you need a converter and a bigger gear.
