ready for more power.. .need advice
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Racine WI
ready for more power.. .need advice
well just took the car out of storage this weekend and it was so nice to be back in the vette and out of the winter beater. So after a few hours of driving i was used to the power again and ready for more. Im kinda torn between what to do next. I dont wanna spend more than 2k this summer and i dont wanna sacrifice any drivability. I was leaning towards 4:10 gears or a set of new heads. Any advice would be very appreciated, im just looking for a little direction from those who have been down this road already. Thanks in advance. here are the engine mods so far:
Dynatech Long Tube Headers and x-pipe
SLP Power-Flow Rear Section
LS6 intake manifold
CF intake duct
Comp Cams 224/581 Cam
Comp Cams Pushrods
Comp Cams Valve Springs
Samco 7-Piece Coolant Hose Kit
Hypertech 160 Degree Thermostat
ASP Underdrive Crank Pulley
Dynatech Long Tube Headers and x-pipe
SLP Power-Flow Rear Section
LS6 intake manifold
CF intake duct
Comp Cams 224/581 Cam
Comp Cams Pushrods
Comp Cams Valve Springs
Samco 7-Piece Coolant Hose Kit
Hypertech 160 Degree Thermostat
ASP Underdrive Crank Pulley
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 790
Likes: 7
From: Denton TX
Between parts and Labor changing the gears is going to eat up most of that 2K budget you mentioned. Past that, and it will be more expensive, will be a replacement of your LS6 heads with aftermarket units such as AFR.
Since you will have it apart be sure to take a close look at your clutch.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 146
From: Watertown CT
Me personally, i wouldn't do the gear. I love the top end of my car and really being able to stretch it out on some open straightaway, of course not on the street! Anyhow, I havne't been in a Vette with the 4:10 but I'm thinking that would really put a damper on the top speed of the car. Some would say you could pull it in 6th but I have heard many say that you shouldn't stress 6th like that. Just my opinion, I love the all around aspect of the Vette. If you're a quater miler than the 4:10 will be geat. Good Luck
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Originally Posted by SpeedyD
Me personally, i wouldn't do the gear. I love the top end of my car and really being able to stretch it out on some open straightaway, of course not on the street! Anyhow, I havne't been in a Vette with the 4:10 but I'm thinking that would really put a damper on the top speed of the car. Some would say you could pull it in 6th but I have heard many say that you shouldn't stress 6th like that. Just my opinion, I love the all around aspect of the Vette. If you're a quater miler than the 4:10 will be geat. Good Luck
Utter nonsense. Even @ 4.10, you won't have enough power to pull redline in 6th. And this don't "stress" 6th....don't know wtf that is.
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Diamond Bar CA
Originally Posted by zeevette
And this don't "stress" 6th....don't know wtf that is.
also, a lot of cars run leaner in their final (cruising) gears for the sake of gas mileage... i dont know if the vette is set up like this though
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Racine WI
so if the gears are the best bang for my buck, who makes the best setup? i have looked into the MTI's but i dont know if there are any better brands. Im assuming its better to buy the rearends with the gears already installed correct? And with 4:10s i suppose i will actually use my sixth gear other than on the interstate
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Pro
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Originally Posted by SpeedyD
Me personally, i wouldn't do the gear. I love the top end of my car and really being able to stretch it out on some open straightaway, of course not on the street! Anyhow, I havne't been in a Vette with the 4:10 but I'm thinking that would really put a damper on the top speed of the car. Some would say you could pull it in 6th but I have heard many say that you shouldn't stress 6th like that. Just my opinion, I love the all around aspect of the Vette. If you're a quater miler than the 4:10 will be geat. Good Luck
going into 6th lowers rpm and thus the hp...and thus the top end would drop. There have been some posts on vettes shifting into 6th and slowing down.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 790
Likes: 7
From: Denton TX
What gears are really about is leverage. The only power loss you will experience is that which we all lose to heat and friction as the torque moves through the drive train. With an M6 this is somewhere around 15%.
To me a modified C5 with more than 400 RWHP is a 200 MPH + vehicle. However, on what interstate freeway or track are you going to be running your street driven car at those kinds of speeds? We don’t have an Autobahn around here so what difference does it make? With the 4.10’s and 6th gear you can get more speed than our roads can safely handle.
Now before anyone jumps on me, yes, I know that some people are nuts and drive extremely fast on the freeway from time to time. I know of a couple of guys who hit 180 late one night. But really, isn’t that pretty foolish and do you really need to concern yourself about building a high speed street car?
I am realistic about what I am going to be doing with my car and since I do not plan to drive any high bank ovals at Daytona or Talladega I keep it real.
To me a modified C5 with more than 400 RWHP is a 200 MPH + vehicle. However, on what interstate freeway or track are you going to be running your street driven car at those kinds of speeds? We don’t have an Autobahn around here so what difference does it make? With the 4.10’s and 6th gear you can get more speed than our roads can safely handle.
Now before anyone jumps on me, yes, I know that some people are nuts and drive extremely fast on the freeway from time to time. I know of a couple of guys who hit 180 late one night. But really, isn’t that pretty foolish and do you really need to concern yourself about building a high speed street car?
I am realistic about what I am going to be doing with my car and since I do not plan to drive any high bank ovals at Daytona or Talladega I keep it real.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Racine WI
i see. Good info. So basically since i never plan on driving faster than 150MPH the 4:10s should be just fine. And would give me more driving enjoyment than a set of heads that cost less than 2K?
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
The 410's on a 6speed is a good mod, but just remember, traction will become an issue...but some like spinning the tires all the time
even with a street drag tire, you'll be smoking em pretty easy...heck I can do that with my 342's and BFG's on a stock LS1 motor
even with a street drag tire, you'll be smoking em pretty easy...heck I can do that with my 342's and BFG's on a stock LS1 motor
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 161
From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by JTizzle
so if the gears are the best bang for my buck, who makes the best setup? i have looked into the MTI's but i dont know if there are any better brands. Im assuming its better to buy the rearends with the gears already installed correct? And with 4:10s i suppose i will actually use my sixth gear other than on the interstate
You will love the 4.10’s!!!Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Racine WI
well thanks for the info guys! i am pretty sold on the gears now so im gonna do some research to see the best place to buy them. Is there a certain place to buy them from that is better than others?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Originally Posted by JTizzle
i see. Good info. So basically since i never plan on driving faster than 150MPH the 4:10s should be just fine. And would give me more driving enjoyment than a set of heads that cost less than 2K?