About a week ago i had some new parts installed. A LUK OEM replacement LS6 Clutch, and a DTE Stage 1 Differential with 4.10 gears.

My Threads on these are located here:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1605557

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1607871

So this weekend, i finished my Break in period - and was ready to change the fluids and 'test' my new setup. Swapping gear fluid was pretty simple, took less than an hour. And man - if you haven't smelled Redline 75w/140 Gear Oil then you're lucky. That was some of the nastiest smelling gear oil I've ever had. I got some on my hands, and it almost gagged me hours later when i was eating (even after multiple washes...)

But anyways - with the new fluid in the diff i was quite anxious to see what she does over 3,000 RPMs. I could feel the difference during the break in procedure and it was hard to control myself and not romp on it.

I went to a freeway on-ramp where i could come to a complete stop and romp on it towards the freeway. Man, let me say; I'm so glad i went with the 4.10 gearing! 1st Gear still runs towards 40 with 2nd a little over 60 and 3 just past 80 - these gears really haul some a$$! I couldn't get enough and had to take multiple off/on ramps just to feel that acceleration.

It quite literally feels like i added 50+ HP to the whole RPM range! Especially 1st gear, it's incredibly snappy and from a stop the car really gets up and moves. The best part is 6th gear is still plenty big enough on the freeway to be around 1800 at 70, so my gas mileage isn't really effected.

Thanks to the folks who recommended 4.10s, thanks to DTE for a great product, big thanks to CF for enabling my 'mod-addiction'

I've got heads & intake manifold in my room waiting to be installed... I'm sure you'll see another thread from me on those...


Dan

 

Wow, sounds like Gears are a mod well worth the bang for the buck!

 

Sounds great, congrats.

I have 3.90's waiting to go in when the weather warms up. I know what you mean about the Redline, I got some on my hand and my throat started to close up. Nasty stuff, but it works good.

 

For n/a cars, its the best matching gear set for an MN6. Im glad i went for them over 3.90s. I was on the fence for a while.

Best part is, you dont have to punch it to take off. Just ease into it and let the gears work for you.

 

So true - and on the freeway you don't have to downshift to pass. Unless you really wanna blow past 'em... hehe

I was also on the fence for 3.90s vs. 4.10s for a long time, i decided I'll just go crazy do the 4.10s and hope i like it. When i picked B&B Bullets i was nervous they'd be too crazy loud - but i ended up loving them (with DTE LT Headers) even though they are crazy loud... hehe. Once again with 4.10s i'm exceedingly happy!


Dan

 

Phil at DTE put my 4.10's in 3 years ago.........really amazes me why more don't have DTE install them.........should have been std. eq. with the mn6.............

 

I don't know why this wasn't the first mod i did! Honestly, when I compare the amount of money i spent on the DTE SuperMaXX Long Tube headers, hi flow cats and x-pipe and install vs. the DTE Stage 1 Diff and Install it was really a wash.

But when I look at which one has a more noticeable impact on my performance, it has to be the 4.10s. I mean, i could slightly feel the torque difference from the Long Tubes, but the 4.10s was such a drastic change i was blown away!

Obviously i love my long tubes because with the B&B Bullets my car sounds exactly the way i wanted it to. (In addition to ~30hp) But for anyone who has about $1700 (1299 + install) to drop on a single modification, i'd go with the 4.10s!!!

(Assuming you have a MN6 and not a MN12 or A4)


Dan

 

How exactally do they work to improve feel and torque?

 

I am getting the 4.10's soon and I was wondering, what is the break-in procedure for them?

 

Well by increasing your engine's mechanical advantage over the tires it will be easier for the engine to Rev up. Meaning each gear will be shorter - but easier to wrap up, and overall an increase in accelleration will be felt throughout the RPM range and Gears... (Not just in 1st like some suggest...)

I had a little experiment to try and equate the performance difference to Horsepower. So if i went from 3.42 stock rearend to a 4.10 thats like what, a 19% increase in gear? So if my engine puts 329hp to the rear wheels and I increase that power by 19% it feels like i'm putting 391hp to the rear wheel. Thats a ~62hp increase, which to me feels about right.

^That math obviously may not work out in reality, but the truth is, I would say the 4.10s feels like i've added at least 50HP to the car, and the best part is - that feeling comes at EVERY RPM, not just the "Power Band" like an upgraded cam. (That said i know i'm not 'adding' HP to the car, infact i may have lost ~5 but it certainly feels like a huge increase in power/tq)

DTE Recommended a 350mile Easy driving period where you don't Lug the engine, drive hard, or break 3000RPMs. Also, no Dyno pulls or burnouts or anything that would add stress to the differential during that period. Afterwards change the fluid, and you're on your way! (DTE Requires Redline 75/140 w/ 13% FMA - which they sell - i'd order it in advance) I'd get specific break-in instructions from whoever your MFG may be.


Dan

 

Thanks, I'm really looking forward to getting the 4.10's after reading this thread!

 

What kind of top speed are we talking about in 5th or 6th?
Your mission, if you choose to accept it

 

LOL - Well, from my understanding my Top Speed used to be Drag Limited at ~175 in 5th (NOT at redline) Where now I redline 5th at ~152 and shift into 6th. The big question is in 6th Gear can i push it up past 152. I'm suspecting yes, but how far?

Well lets look, if i have 26" tall tires and shift at 150MPH @ 5900RPM in 5th gear into 6th with a 4.10 diff that will plop me at 3987RPM in 6th at 150 MPH. So at ~4000RPM I'm entering my peak torque around 335ish, and the HP will climb from 250 (@ 4k) to 330.

Obviously i won't be able to pull the car up to the max speed in 6th at 230MPH, however will i be able to pull it up another 500RPMs to 4500 and hit 170MPH? Maybe... i dunno.... i bet it would take a while... lol


But - honestly i've only hit 150 a couple times, and don't really do it that often. Plus the trip from 0-150 will be much quicker w/ 4.10s than w/o so i think it's worth it. Can i hit the 175mark? Prolly not. But do i really care about speed over 150? Not really... lol

Of course - until i try and determine what my top speed is, i won't know - so i'll just assume it's still 175... hehe


Dan