how to chose gears
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 17,681
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From: Central Jersey
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Hey Phil, depends on a few factors... what the car is being used for.. Drag, road racing, Sunday cruising.. and how much torque the engine is making, converter selection, A4 or 6 speed.. For example, a head and cam car works very well with 4.10's untill you get into road racing with short tracks and then I would drop some gear. There is really no best gear, there is a best gear for different applications.. 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Like Chris said "depends on a few factors... " however for what you are after... here is my two cents..
4.10's max for stock HP... 3.90's max for a little more HP... 3.73's max for Turbo and S/C cars... and for very high HP cars 3.42's.
Seems if you have gears that are too low on a high HP car... it only makes it run slower in a speed contest. Higher HP cars will have the power to push a taller gear along and still run very fast. Hope you get the idea here.
VR
4.10's max for stock HP... 3.90's max for a little more HP... 3.73's max for Turbo and S/C cars... and for very high HP cars 3.42's.
Seems if you have gears that are too low on a high HP car... it only makes it run slower in a speed contest. Higher HP cars will have the power to push a taller gear along and still run very fast. Hope you get the idea here.
VR
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 0
From: Canton Michigan
I went with the 4'10's on my MN6 car with h/c. I don't run it at the strip but love the quickness on the street.
BTW, why are you selling the AFR 205's and not installing them on your car?
Al.
BTW, why are you selling the AFR 205's and not installing them on your car?
Al.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 4
From: San Bruno ca
Originally Posted by vetterdstr
Like Chris said "depends on a few factors... " however for what you are after... here is my two cents..
4.10's max for stock HP... 3.90's max for a little more HP... 3.73's max for Turbo and S/C cars... and for very high HP cars 3.42's.
Seems if you have gears that are too low on a high HP car... it only makes it run slower in a speed contest. Higher HP cars will have the power to push a taller gear along and still run very fast. Hope you get the idea here.
VR
4.10's max for stock HP... 3.90's max for a little more HP... 3.73's max for Turbo and S/C cars... and for very high HP cars 3.42's.
Seems if you have gears that are too low on a high HP car... it only makes it run slower in a speed contest. Higher HP cars will have the power to push a taller gear along and still run very fast. Hope you get the idea here.
VR
it really sucks when you do freeway rolls and you have to get into 5th gear at 125 mph while the other guy is still winding out 4th and passing you with 40-50 rwhp less. 
now at the track (1/4 mile) it a whole new ball game
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
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From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by c5freak
I went with the 4'10's on my MN6 car with h/c. I don't run it at the strip but love the quickness on the street.
BTW, why are you selling the AFR 205's and not installing them on your car?
Al.
BTW, why are you selling the AFR 205's and not installing them on your car?
Al.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by vetterdstr
Like Chris said "depends on a few factors... " however for what you are after... here is my two cents..
4.10's max for stock HP... 3.90's max for a little more HP... 3.73's max for Turbo and S/C cars... and for very high HP cars 3.42's.
Seems if you have gears that are too low on a high HP car... it only makes it run slower in a speed contest. Higher HP cars will have the power to push a taller gear along and still run very fast. Hope you get the idea here.
VR
4.10's max for stock HP... 3.90's max for a little more HP... 3.73's max for Turbo and S/C cars... and for very high HP cars 3.42's.
Seems if you have gears that are too low on a high HP car... it only makes it run slower in a speed contest. Higher HP cars will have the power to push a taller gear along and still run very fast. Hope you get the idea here.
VR
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
BTW, if you thinking of selling your 3.42 (MN6) gears (Full rear end diff), let me know. I'm looking to buy one soon anyways... Plz include the details and how much you'd want for it... Good luck with new gears.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Here is how I look at it:
400-500 rwhp 4.10s
+500rwhp something less....
Really it does depend on what you plan to do. I have 4.10 gears and plan to be at the 475 rwhp mark at the end of the winter. The gears are great for the 1/4, but now that I am moving to road courses I am thinking I have too much gear.
400-500 rwhp 4.10s
+500rwhp something less....
Really it does depend on what you plan to do. I have 4.10 gears and plan to be at the 475 rwhp mark at the end of the winter. The gears are great for the 1/4, but now that I am moving to road courses I am thinking I have too much gear.