Gears vs heads-HELP needed
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 54
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Gears vs heads-HELP needed
I have a '98 coupe, Z51 option. The car dynoed at 380 rwhp with bolt ons and a cam. I am happy with its performance but as usual would like more. The car is a "daily driver" averaging 150 miles per week. I plan to autoX the car as well as participate in events (track days) at a local road course.
My budget is $2500. What are your thoughts on purchasing an aluminum flywheel to go with the Z06 clutch I already have and 3.73/4.10 gears versus heads?
Any other ideas?
No nitrous please
Thanks
My budget is $2500. What are your thoughts on purchasing an aluminum flywheel to go with the Z06 clutch I already have and 3.73/4.10 gears versus heads?
Any other ideas?
No nitrous please
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
Go with 4.10 gears Period...
Originally Posted by ol'skoolplaya
I have a '98 coupe, Z51 option. The car dynoed at 380 rwhp with bolt ons and a cam. I am happy with its performance but as usual would like more. The car is a "daily driver" averaging 150 miles per week. I plan to autoX the car as well as participate in events (track days) at a local road course.
My budget is $2500. What are your thoughts on purchasing an aluminum flywheel to go with the Z06 clutch I already have and 3.73/4.10 gears versus heads?
Any other ideas?
No nitrous please
Thanks
My budget is $2500. What are your thoughts on purchasing an aluminum flywheel to go with the Z06 clutch I already have and 3.73/4.10 gears versus heads?
Any other ideas?
No nitrous please
Thanks
The Gears although you cannot really sho off on a Dyno will give you 2 to 3 times the kick in can you want over heads..
Remember.. Heads and/or Cam are peaky... you hit the right band and they take off... usually higher than most average drivers want to go on the street..
The Gears are a Multiplier and they are there and have the same effect from 1rpm to Redline!! I'd trade every bolt on mod I have just to keep my 4.10's!!!!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 1
From: San Bruno Ca
What do you intend to use the car for most often besides a daily
driver? Drags or autocross, or roadrace? Gears will give you quicker 1/4 mile times, but lower fuel economy and your power band stays the same. Heads will not affect your fuel economy, but it will increase your overall HP & torque. Heads will also lower 1/4 mile times, but not quite as much as gears.
Ported heads make a big difference in the upper RPM range, especially if you already have a cam. I have built a few
"cammed" cars in the past, but none have ever pulled so high
in the RPM range as my car with heads and cam. It all comes down to what is more important to you at the moment. My advice would be to do one mod now and the other when you get your tax return...
driver? Drags or autocross, or roadrace? Gears will give you quicker 1/4 mile times, but lower fuel economy and your power band stays the same. Heads will not affect your fuel economy, but it will increase your overall HP & torque. Heads will also lower 1/4 mile times, but not quite as much as gears.
Ported heads make a big difference in the upper RPM range, especially if you already have a cam. I have built a few
"cammed" cars in the past, but none have ever pulled so high
in the RPM range as my car with heads and cam. It all comes down to what is more important to you at the moment. My advice would be to do one mod now and the other when you get your tax return...
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,988
Likes: 16
From: Hooterville, NJ
I think I would lean towards Heads myself. A pair of ported LS6 heads would increase your HP and torque very nicely. When I did my head and cam I went with the LS6 ported heads. With the cam I have in the car it pulls very hard from about 3k on up to red line of 6900. However, 4:10 gears will give you that "snap your neck back" acceleration. But, if your going to autocross maybe the heads would fit your type of driving better. Good luck 
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Tsab
I think I would lean towards Heads myself. A pair of ported LS6 heads would increase your HP and torque very nicely. When I did my head and cam I went with the LS6 ported heads. With the cam I have in the car it pulls very hard from about 3k on up to red line of 6900. However, 4:10 gears will give you that "snap your neck back" acceleration. But, if your going to autocross maybe the heads would fit your type of driving better. Good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
gears versus HP.
one factor is this; an engine HP increase - increases strain on everything connected after the engine... the torque tube, the clutch, the tranny, the rear carrier, and the half-shafts.
Gears alone, on the other hand, only end up stressing the half-shafts and the carriers output shafts. And makes it easier on the hardware between the engine and half-shafts because it gives them mechanical advantage.
Obviously if you then strap on some racing slicks and do clutch dumps... then the stress starts to be felt along the entire drivetrain. That is why I said "gears alone" originally; just for presentation purposes.
I myself would only consider a serious H/C upgrade if I also intended to put in a better clutch, beefier tranny, and bullit-proof torque tube (depending on how much HP increase was obtained).
one factor is this; an engine HP increase - increases strain on everything connected after the engine... the torque tube, the clutch, the tranny, the rear carrier, and the half-shafts.
Gears alone, on the other hand, only end up stressing the half-shafts and the carriers output shafts. And makes it easier on the hardware between the engine and half-shafts because it gives them mechanical advantage.
Obviously if you then strap on some racing slicks and do clutch dumps... then the stress starts to be felt along the entire drivetrain. That is why I said "gears alone" originally; just for presentation purposes.
I myself would only consider a serious H/C upgrade if I also intended to put in a better clutch, beefier tranny, and bullit-proof torque tube (depending on how much HP increase was obtained).
Last edited by Mike Mercury; Jul 30, 2004 at 11:21 AM.
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