Gears or Headers?
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Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 531
Likes: 46
From: Tucson, AZ
Gears or Headers?
Hey everyone,
I've got a good amount of money that I set aside to spend on my 2001 C5 M6 vette (about $2000) that currently has a blackwing and borla stingers, and I've narrowed the choice down to either changing the rear end ratio to 4.10 or adding a set of long tube headers + dyno tune...I can do one or the other, but not both, since this is the last money that I'm going to be able to spend on my car until I graduate in three years...So of course I really want to make this money count...I spend most of my time playing with the car on the street and also dabble a bit at the local 1/8 mile track, but nothing too serious or anything...So which do you guys think would offer me the largest performance increase, in terms of both SOTP feel, launch from a dead stop, and launch from a roll?
I've got a good amount of money that I set aside to spend on my 2001 C5 M6 vette (about $2000) that currently has a blackwing and borla stingers, and I've narrowed the choice down to either changing the rear end ratio to 4.10 or adding a set of long tube headers + dyno tune...I can do one or the other, but not both, since this is the last money that I'm going to be able to spend on my car until I graduate in three years...So of course I really want to make this money count...I spend most of my time playing with the car on the street and also dabble a bit at the local 1/8 mile track, but nothing too serious or anything...So which do you guys think would offer me the largest performance increase, in terms of both SOTP feel, launch from a dead stop, and launch from a roll?
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 84
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From: Marietta GA
Not trying to hi-jack your thread but i figure you might want to know the answer to this question too:
Which gears (brand) do you guys recommend? The reason i ask is that a lot of the F-Body guys (read "about 50%) seem to have horrid problems with them whining. Does the C5 have the same issues or is it a totally different rear end?
Which gears (brand) do you guys recommend? The reason i ask is that a lot of the F-Body guys (read "about 50%) seem to have horrid problems with them whining. Does the C5 have the same issues or is it a totally different rear end?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,743
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From: FL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Totally different differential setup than the F-body. Very few choices of manufacturers for the C5...
I had 3.73 Motive Gears in my 01 SS and they were silent.
BTW.. Gears will be a big SOTP feel with quicker acceleration, but no actual HP power increase.. Headers will change the sound of the car and give you a power increase. SOTP feel may not be as much as gears.. (although it depends on the gear ratio you choose) Don't go for anything less than 3.73's if you are going to do it.
My vote is for 4.11's but 3.90's are a good medium...
Steve
I had 3.73 Motive Gears in my 01 SS and they were silent.
BTW.. Gears will be a big SOTP feel with quicker acceleration, but no actual HP power increase.. Headers will change the sound of the car and give you a power increase. SOTP feel may not be as much as gears.. (although it depends on the gear ratio you choose) Don't go for anything less than 3.73's if you are going to do it.
My vote is for 4.11's but 3.90's are a good medium...
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,156
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From: S.W. Ohio
What are the "Log Term" goals for your car? Do you like to race, drag or auto X? These questions are very important. If you are going to do nothing else with the car I.E. H/C, blower, NOS etc I would go with the gears and in the 4:10 ratio for a MN6. If you plan on other performance mods to the engine headers are a key element in maximizing performance.
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Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
I think I posted a response to this over in C5 general.. I would go with headers.. unless you plan on a tire/rim upgrade,,,if you go with 410's on stock runflats all youre going to gain is a big smoke show 
I would go with a tune also to take full advantage of your existing mods and the headers...
if you get better tires, bigger rims, then I would go with the gears.
I would go with a tune also to take full advantage of your existing mods and the headers...if you get better tires, bigger rims, then I would go with the gears.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,156
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From: S.W. Ohio
Baldy has a point. I am running BFG DR's in the 275/35/18" size right now and if track prep is average I can still spin thru first after a smokey burn out. I heard that some 4:10 MN6 drivers say that they launch in 2nd at the track.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Originally Posted by ROJO99
Baldy has a point. I am running BFG DR's in the 275/35/18" size right now and if track prep is average I can still spin thru first after a smokey burn out. I heard that some 4:10 MN6 drivers say that they launch in 2nd at the track.
yeap , I was close to upgrading gears myself,,and then remembered that even with my stock 342 gear I can roast the runcraps through 2nd if I really get on it... I can't imagine 410's on stock runflats 
when I get money for tires/rims then gears will come,,but even then I am only considering 373's.
