gearing question
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
gearing question
Hi everyone,
I have just bought my first corvette (well new to me), a 97 auto transmission ls1 engine and have a quick question. I expected this car to be quick and have owned a few other sports cars but...being stock this car is much quicker than I expected; almost scary at times. Supposedly the car is stock with only a cold air unit installed. I bought it, one owner car from a dealer so not much info came with it. So...my question is how can I tell if the gearing has been changed out. After reading quite a bit about this car I am starting to think that the gears have been changed. I am getting 2000 rpm at what the speedo indicates is 72-73 mph but my gps is insisting is 70 mph. Also on take off I easily engage traction from 1-2 (with good tires) and have even done so hitting it hard at 45-50 at 2-3. Is this typical?
I have just bought my first corvette (well new to me), a 97 auto transmission ls1 engine and have a quick question. I expected this car to be quick and have owned a few other sports cars but...being stock this car is much quicker than I expected; almost scary at times. Supposedly the car is stock with only a cold air unit installed. I bought it, one owner car from a dealer so not much info came with it. So...my question is how can I tell if the gearing has been changed out. After reading quite a bit about this car I am starting to think that the gears have been changed. I am getting 2000 rpm at what the speedo indicates is 72-73 mph but my gps is insisting is 70 mph. Also on take off I easily engage traction from 1-2 (with good tires) and have even done so hitting it hard at 45-50 at 2-3. Is this typical?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 8
From: Hopatcong New Jersey
1) Find the original owners and ask.
2) Get under the car and check the tag on the differential.
3) See what RPM you're at in 3rd gear at 75mph.
75 mph in 3rd gear on an A4 3rd gear is a 1:1 ratio:
2.73 rear end will turn 2730 rpm
3.15 rear end will turn 3150 rpm
3.42 rear end will turn 3420 rpm
I vote for #2 to be 100% sure.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 2
From: Naples FL
St. Jude Donor '12
And so it starts LOL...
Glad you're happy with your "new" car. Don't worry, if / when in a few weeks you get curious as to how your car would feel with another 50 HP, a set of headers, CAI, etc, etc, don't worry, it's perfectly normal, if not expected.
Welcome to the club!
Glad you're happy with your "new" car. Don't worry, if / when in a few weeks you get curious as to how your car would feel with another 50 HP, a set of headers, CAI, etc, etc, don't worry, it's perfectly normal, if not expected.
Welcome to the club!
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
3.15 gear ratio it is :-D 3100 rpm in 3rd at 75. And yes i'm already contemplating upgrades as soon as I first replace the wonderful fadded targa top that detracts from the beautiful black paint job and refinish the seats that have a nice worn lean to the left lol...of course that is after I had to fix the wipers from staying on constant after washing it and fix the hot air coming out of the driver side ac when the passenger side was ice cold, and reset the tire sending units...thanks to these forums!
Last edited by juscrusing; Oct 1, 2012 at 11:53 AM.
