Diff question 3.42 vs. 4.10
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: NOVA VA
Diff question 3.42 vs. 4.10
All,
I am considering moving to 4.10 from 3.42. My car is pretty much stock, but I intend on adding HP down the road (not too much, goal is around 400).
I understand the 4.10 gears will provide more torque, and I have the option of using DTE - which means the diff will be able to handle more power (safely!) when I get around to it.
So my questions:
1. Is it worth moving to 4.10?
2. Is it worth getting a diff cooler if this is a non-track car?
Thanks for any feedback
I am considering moving to 4.10 from 3.42. My car is pretty much stock, but I intend on adding HP down the road (not too much, goal is around 400).
I understand the 4.10 gears will provide more torque, and I have the option of using DTE - which means the diff will be able to handle more power (safely!) when I get around to it.
So my questions:
1. Is it worth moving to 4.10?
2. Is it worth getting a diff cooler if this is a non-track car?
Thanks for any feedback
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: The Nether Region IL
Originally Posted by astrolite
All,
I am considering moving to 4.10 from 3.42. My car is pretty much stock, but I intend on adding HP down the road (not too much, goal is around 400).
I understand the 4.10 gears will provide more torque, and I have the option of using DTE - which means the diff will be able to handle more power (safely!) when I get around to it.
So my questions:
1. Is it worth moving to 4.10?
2. Is it worth getting a diff cooler if this is a non-track car?
Thanks for any feedback
I am considering moving to 4.10 from 3.42. My car is pretty much stock, but I intend on adding HP down the road (not too much, goal is around 400).
I understand the 4.10 gears will provide more torque, and I have the option of using DTE - which means the diff will be able to handle more power (safely!) when I get around to it.
So my questions:
1. Is it worth moving to 4.10?
2. Is it worth getting a diff cooler if this is a non-track car?
Thanks for any feedback
2. No.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Originally Posted by astrolite
All,
I am considering moving to 4.10 from 3.42. My car is pretty much stock, but I intend on adding HP down the road (not too much, goal is around 400).
I understand the 4.10 gears will provide more torque, and I have the option of using DTE - which means the diff will be able to handle more power (safely!) when I get around to it.
So my questions:
1. Is it worth moving to 4.10?
2. Is it worth getting a diff cooler if this is a non-track car?
Thanks for any feedback
I am considering moving to 4.10 from 3.42. My car is pretty much stock, but I intend on adding HP down the road (not too much, goal is around 400).
I understand the 4.10 gears will provide more torque, and I have the option of using DTE - which means the diff will be able to handle more power (safely!) when I get around to it.
So my questions:
1. Is it worth moving to 4.10?
2. Is it worth getting a diff cooler if this is a non-track car?
Thanks for any feedback
2. No.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: West Chicago IL
Phil at DTE put 410's in my 99 in March and the car is amazing now. I also had him install a corsa pace car while he was under there. The vette feels tighter and responds much much quicker in any gear. Best thing i have done to my car!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
Originally Posted by astrolite
All,
I am considering moving to 4.10 from 3.42. My car is pretty much stock, but I intend on adding HP down the road (not too much, goal is around 400).
I understand the 4.10 gears will provide more torque, and I have the option of using DTE - which means the diff will be able to handle more power (safely!) when I get around to it.
So my questions:
1. Is it worth moving to 4.10?
2. Is it worth getting a diff cooler if this is a non-track car?
Thanks for any feedback
I am considering moving to 4.10 from 3.42. My car is pretty much stock, but I intend on adding HP down the road (not too much, goal is around 400).
I understand the 4.10 gears will provide more torque, and I have the option of using DTE - which means the diff will be able to handle more power (safely!) when I get around to it.
So my questions:
1. Is it worth moving to 4.10?
2. Is it worth getting a diff cooler if this is a non-track car?
Thanks for any feedback
2. i would disagree with everybody thus far and say yes .. but im extra cautious .. i think in terms of redundancies .. i.e. my RPM stage IV MN6 tranny w/ harden mainshaft for around 375 fwhp and 400 fwtq and a non-tracked car .. is it warranted? no .. do i feel safer with it .. you bet your @ss.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I am heads/cam at about 400 rwhp. I am slowly coming to the conclusion that 3.73 is the right ratio to switch to. Once you get up there in HP, then 4.10's may be too much. Just my opinion, but I am in research mode as well right now 
I am also of the mind that anything that I can do to beef things up needs to be seriously weighed, because some of the failures when they occur have a lot of collateral damage.
I am also of the mind that anything that I can do to beef things up needs to be seriously weighed, because some of the failures when they occur have a lot of collateral damage.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by vettenuts
I am heads/cam at about 400 rwhp. I am slowly coming to the conclusion that 3.73 is the right ratio to switch to. Once you get up there in HP, then 4.10's may be too much. Just my opinion, but I am in research mode as well right now
I am also of the mind that anything that I can do to beef things up needs to be seriously weighed, because some of the failures when they occur have a lot of collateral damage.
I am also of the mind that anything that I can do to beef things up needs to be seriously weighed, because some of the failures when they occur have a lot of collateral damage.
Yes any time on a trans cooler.
I also run just north of 400 rwhp & tq, MN6 with a 3.42, trans cooler, oil cooler and accusump. No problems what so ever.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: The Nether Region IL
Originally Posted by corvette Mark
My engine is stock except for some bolt-on's and the 4.10's are awesome! Only downside is the extra shifting. Overall I am very happy that I did this mod to my car.
Only downside is the extra shifting. Overall I am very happy that I did this mod to my car.
A 4.10 was the best thing I did to the car before I got my heads and cam. I'm 99.0% street car and not into breaking parts so I hit the strip once every 3 or 4 years- If I went forced induction or if I hit a roadcourse, they might be too much gear- but I don't recall ever hearing someone say they regretted those gears for a street/strip car at those power levels. 3.90 would be the smallest I'd go...but that's just me. See if you can find someone in your area that has em and give you a ride... you'll have to get your own opinion.And on the dif cooler- if you have $ to burn, ok. Its nice...but I'd rather blow the coin somewhere else.
Last edited by bandit_99; Jun 30, 2006 at 11:29 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: NOVA VA
I don't understand the more shifting part. Does not even 1 more rotation of the drive shaft per wheel spin make that BIG of a difference?
I am usually shifting (normal driving) around 2-2500rpm until I get to the desired gear (usually 4th around town).
Also.. how much will it kill my fuel economy?
I am usually shifting (normal driving) around 2-2500rpm until I get to the desired gear (usually 4th around town).
Also.. how much will it kill my fuel economy?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by astrolite
I don't understand the more shifting part. Does not even 1 more rotation of the drive shaft per wheel spin make that BIG of a difference?
I am usually shifting (normal driving) around 2-2500rpm until I get to the desired gear (usually 4th around town).
Also.. how much will it kill my fuel economy?
I am usually shifting (normal driving) around 2-2500rpm until I get to the desired gear (usually 4th around town).
Also.. how much will it kill my fuel economy?
MN 6 with 3.42
1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
1st 9 13 18 22 27 31 36
2nd 13 20 27 33 40 46 53
3rd 18 27 36 45 54 64 73
4th 24 35 47 59 71 83 94
5th 32 48 64 80 96 112 128
6th 47 71 94 118 142 165 189
MN6 with 4.10s
1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
1st 8 11 15 19 23 27 31 34
2nd 11 16 22 27 33 38 44 49
3rd 16 24 32 40 48 55 63 71
4th 23 34 45 57 68 79 91 102
5th 27 40 54 67 81 94 108 121
6th 40 61 81 101 121 142 162 182
4.10s and gas milage are not compatable. 4.10s are used for HIGH reving high hp cars and drag race launching.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,078
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
I agree, 4.10s for drag racing YES, for anything else, NO as your shifting too much. 3.73 is good all around gearing.
Yes any time on a trans cooler.
I also run just north of 400 rwhp & tq, MN6 with a 3.42, trans cooler, oil cooler and accusump. No problems what so ever.
Yes any time on a trans cooler.
I also run just north of 400 rwhp & tq, MN6 with a 3.42, trans cooler, oil cooler and accusump. No problems what so ever.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by astrolite
I don't understand the more shifting part. Does not even 1 more rotation of the drive shaft per wheel spin make that BIG of a difference?
I am usually shifting (normal driving) around 2-2500rpm until I get to the desired gear (usually 4th around town).
Also.. how much will it kill my fuel economy?
I am usually shifting (normal driving) around 2-2500rpm until I get to the desired gear (usually 4th around town).
Also.. how much will it kill my fuel economy?
Depending on how you drive the 4.10s could have more shifting or less. For regular street driving I shifted less with my 4.10s, but for track days I shifted more.
I had to change to 3.73 gears, but my car is split between street and road courses.
If you plan to leave your car in the 400 rwhp range and not do road racing then the 4.10s are great. If you are planning on doing road racing then 4.10s are not great.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
I agree, 4.10s for drag racing YES, for anything else, NO as your shifting too much. 3.73 is good all around gearing.
.
.
Shifting too much is a huge wives tale... you have 6 gears to chose from.. USE them... There is no law that says you MUST row through them all... If I am in the mood for spunky driving I hit them all..If I am just cruising from light to light.. I may go from 1st to 3rd to 5th or 1st to 4th or 2nd to 4th... Either way.. there is NO lugging..
4.10's are the Perfect gear for BOTH racing and Normal Driving..
There is one downside to 4.10s.. And it's NOT traction.. and it only occurs if Drag Racing the car.. You have a limited top speed you can reach in 4th.. that is about 120-125mph.. depending upon the rev limiter..
Trust me when I tell you.. Only listen to the advice of people who have them. Or have HAD them.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by chuckster
4.10's are the Perfect gear for BOTH racing and Normal Driving..
4.10s are NOT PERFECT for ROAD RACING that is why I changed them.
I think Au N EGL point was that you need to know your future RWHP plans and what type of driving you are planning to do then match the gears to that.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 24
From: Texas
Originally Posted by astrolite
All,
I am considering moving to 4.10 from 3.42. My car is pretty much stock, but I intend on adding HP down the road (not too much, goal is around 400).
I understand the 4.10 gears will provide more torque, and I have the option of using DTE - which means the diff will be able to handle more power (safely!) when I get around to it.
So my questions:
1. Is it worth moving to 4.10?
2. Is it worth getting a diff cooler if this is a non-track car?
Thanks for any feedback
I am considering moving to 4.10 from 3.42. My car is pretty much stock, but I intend on adding HP down the road (not too much, goal is around 400).
I understand the 4.10 gears will provide more torque, and I have the option of using DTE - which means the diff will be able to handle more power (safely!) when I get around to it.
So my questions:
1. Is it worth moving to 4.10?
2. Is it worth getting a diff cooler if this is a non-track car?
Thanks for any feedback
To you guys with the 4.10's, how do the 3.90's work for mixed use (road and drags)?
Thanks,
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 455
Likes: 11
From: Roanoke VA
I've had in my daily driver A4 car 3.15, 3.42, 3.90 & 4.10 gears, no looking back.
Chevy should offer them as an option like the good old days.
These motors like to spin and especially if a cam or heads & cam is in the future you will benefit from more gear.
SOTP feel will be like you added 100 hp but don't forget the rear tires, traction seems to become scarce when you go down 68 points in gear ratio.
Chevy should offer them as an option like the good old days.
These motors like to spin and especially if a cam or heads & cam is in the future you will benefit from more gear.
SOTP feel will be like you added 100 hp but don't forget the rear tires, traction seems to become scarce when you go down 68 points in gear ratio.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
4.10s are NOT PERFECT for ROAD RACING that is why I changed them.
I think Au N EGL point was that you need to know your future RWHP plans and what type of driving you are planning to do then match the gears to that.
I think Au N EGL point was that you need to know your future RWHP plans and what type of driving you are planning to do then match the gears to that.