Drive Ratio?? 3.42
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 819
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From: Santa Clara Ca
Dumb question of the day Drive Ratio?? 3.42 Gears?
Help please,
I keep getting told that my 99 HRDTOP (6 speed) has a drive ratio of 3.42. However a auto C4 can take it off the line. I was also told that after a 100mph then I would pull ahead.
If both drivers have the same skill is this true, and what does teh drive ratio or gear ratio really mean?
Any help would be appreciated!!
[Modified by White Star, 3:09 PM 8/25/2002]
I keep getting told that my 99 HRDTOP (6 speed) has a drive ratio of 3.42. However a auto C4 can take it off the line. I was also told that after a 100mph then I would pull ahead.
If both drivers have the same skill is this true, and what does teh drive ratio or gear ratio really mean?
Any help would be appreciated!!
[Modified by White Star, 3:09 PM 8/25/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,450
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City Missouri
Re: Dumb question of the day Drive Ratio?? 3.42 Gears? (White Star)
An auto c5 will NOT take it off the line, unless it has the OPTIONAL 3.15 axle or other aftermarket parts. Event the 3.15 would have a hard time with a 6 speed. The 3.42 refers to the number of times the tranny output shaft has to turn, for the rear end gears to turn the rear tire once. The higher the number the more the tq multipliction. Your car will stomp an A4 with 2.73s :yesnod: (you might want to stay away from A4's with TCs and/or gears though ;) )
[Modified by rrobert22, 5:15 PM 8/25/2002]
[Modified by rrobert22, 5:15 PM 8/25/2002]
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 819
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clara Ca
Re: Dumb question of the day Drive Ratio?? 3.42 Gears? (rrobert22)
An auto c5 will NOT take it off the line, unless it has the OPTIONAL 3.15 axle or other aftermarket parts. Event the 3.15 would have a hard time with a 6 speed. The 3.42 refers to the number of times the tranny output shaft has to turn, for the rear end gears to turn the rear tire once. The higher the number the more the tq multipliction. Your car will stomp an A4 with 2.73s :yesnod: (you might want to stay away from A4's with TCs and/or gears though ;) )
Thanks for the scoop. However, it seems like the higher teh number the worse it is because it takes more revolutions to turn the tires. instead of a higher number. My friends auto was also a C4 Vette that was an auto. He said that a C5 stick could not beat it. From what you said I think that I could take him even off the line.
Mike
[Modified by rrobert22, 5:15 PM 8/25/2002]
Thanks for the scoop. However, it seems like the higher teh number the worse it is because it takes more revolutions to turn the tires. instead of a higher number. My friends auto was also a C4 Vette that was an auto. He said that a C5 stick could not beat it. From what you said I think that I could take him even off the line.
Mike
[Modified by rrobert22, 5:15 PM 8/25/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Central NJ
Re: Dumb question of the day Drive Ratio?? 3.42 Gears? (rrobert22)
Your car will stomp an A4 with 2.73s :yesnod:
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walnut Creek CA
Re: Dumb question of the day Drive Ratio?? 3.42 Gears? (rrobert22)
Just curious but how do i get off that line as fast as i can with the 6 speed. I dont know how hard or how fast i should have the motor when i let the clutch out. Curious about how to do this best.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Dumb question of the day Drive Ratio?? 3.42 Gears? (NJVetteGuy)
With identical HP numbers, a stick Vette will always beat an automatic Vette if....IF the driver of the stick is well coordinated and experienced.
But that is why the A4 can beat a MN6 to the 60ft mark, because its much more difficult to get a good launch using a manual clutch than an automatic. Ir-regardless; even with a bad launch, the 6 speed manual will probably win because it has better gearings keeping the engine up into its peak torque/HP rpm.
But that is why the A4 can beat a MN6 to the 60ft mark, because its much more difficult to get a good launch using a manual clutch than an automatic. Ir-regardless; even with a bad launch, the 6 speed manual will probably win because it has better gearings keeping the engine up into its peak torque/HP rpm.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 869
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From: Nashville TN
Re: Dumb question of the day Drive Ratio?? 3.42 Gears? (Mike Mercury)
Well I believe torque multiplication is higher in the automatic with 3.15 diff. I think the automatic has a steeper first gear than the six speed. Even with the 3.42 gears the six speed still has a higher overall drive ratio in first. Of-course this is counterbalanced by the increased driveline losses in the automatic -- which is again counterbalanced by how easy and consistant it is off the line.
[Modified by 1g1yy, 10:26 PM 8/26/2002]
[Modified by 1g1yy, 10:26 PM 8/26/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,450
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City Missouri
Re: Dumb question of the day Drive Ratio?? 3.42 Gears? (1g1yy)
Well I believe torque multiplication is higher in the automatic with 3.15 diff. I think the automatic has a steeper first gear than the six speed. Even with the 3.42 gears the six speed still has a higher overall drive ratio in first. Of-course this is counterbalanced by the increased driveline losses in the automatic -- which is again counterbalanced by how easy and consistant it is off the line.
[Modified by 1g1yy, 10:26 PM 8/26/2002]
[Modified by 1g1yy, 10:26 PM 8/26/2002]
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Team Owner
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Dumb question of the day Drive Ratio?? 3.42 Gears? (rrobert22)
Which is again counter balanced by the six speeds second third and fourth gears which are all closer together to keep the car in its powerband. I have owned both, and the six speed is faster stock.
For example... look at my time ticket below; my first time ever at the track.. the first time the car was ever there... and my first run:
I am on the left driving a 2002 Coupe. The guy on the right is driving a 2002 Z06 with racing slicks. A stock Z06 on run-flats should be in the mid 12's... but with this particular driver it didn't happen... even with upgraded tires.
I talked with the guy after the run and he said he didn't get a good launch.
I was ahead of him at the 60' and the 330'.
With a manual shift... soooooo much depends on the driver. :yesnod:
[Modified by Mike Mercury, 7:43 PM 8/26/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,450
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From: Kansas City Missouri
Re: Dumb question of the day Drive Ratio?? 3.42 Gears? (Mike Mercury)
Take this :D :jester From the corvette museum site
" The "slowest" Corvette - equipped with an automatic transmission and the standard rear axle ratio - now accelerates from 0-60 a full quarter second faster. When equipped with the performance axle, the automatic is as quick as last year's manual gearbox"
:cheers:
" The "slowest" Corvette - equipped with an automatic transmission and the standard rear axle ratio - now accelerates from 0-60 a full quarter second faster. When equipped with the performance axle, the automatic is as quick as last year's manual gearbox"
:cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 869
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From: Nashville TN
Re: Dumb question of the day Drive Ratio?? 3.42 Gears? (Mike Mercury)
Noone said the A4 was faster overall -- I was responding to what was said about the 60' times. It's not just about the driver, the A4 ( with 3.15 gears ) has a very low overall first gear ratio. In fact, in 1970 a friend had a '69 Z-28 with a 4-speed and 4.10 gears. A C5 A4 with 3.15 gears has a lower overall first gear ratio and could very easily have taken him. ( Of-course the C5 weighing about 200 lbs. less and having 40+ more fuel-injected cubes than the Z should easily take the win even with like gearing! ).
I believe the reason the M6 is faster overall than the A4 has as much to do with parasitic losses as it has to do with being able to keep it in it's "powerband". Having lots of gears is more important in cars with peaky engines ( like the Honda S-2000 ) than in cars with a wide torque band. Part of the advantage of keeping the engine in it's "powerband" is lost in the time spent shifting lots of gears.
I believe the reason the M6 is faster overall than the A4 has as much to do with parasitic losses as it has to do with being able to keep it in it's "powerband". Having lots of gears is more important in cars with peaky engines ( like the Honda S-2000 ) than in cars with a wide torque band. Part of the advantage of keeping the engine in it's "powerband" is lost in the time spent shifting lots of gears.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Dumb question of the day Drive Ratio?? 3.42 Gears? (1g1yy)
Having lots of gears is more important in cars with peaky engines ( like the Honda S-2000 ) than in cars with a wide torque band. Part of the advantage of keeping the engine in it's "powerband" is lost in the time spent shifting lots of gears.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 798
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From: Manchester NH
Re: Dumb question of the day Drive Ratio?? 3.42 Gears? (Mike Mercury)
With low 13 second ET's, I think the C5 is right on the edge of the balance between the advantages of close ratios and the disadvantage of the time it takes to shift gears. If drag racing was my thing, I would definitely opt for an A4. Because I use my car for spirited pleasure driving (lots of four wheel drifts, fish tails and not-so-subtle reminders from the rev limiter), I love my M6. I do want to put a set of 4.10's in, though!!