Engine mods vs. 4.10 gears
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,218
Likes: 3
Engine mods vs. 4.10 gears
I read of many people putting in things like headers, intake, tune, maybe a cam, and getting anywhere from 40 to 100 more wheel horsepower depending upon the aggressiveness of the setup.
Then I think, "Hey, if they just put in 4.10 gears in the rear, would they see the same gains?"
What I'm getting at is an additional 50-100 whp will reduce your 1/4 mile times and 0-60 times by a certain amount. However, will adding 4.10 gears INSTEAD yield the same performance gains?
I ask because engine modifications are costly, and if I can get the same increase in measurable performance from gearing as I can from a horsepower bump, then why spend the extra cash for engine mods?
Does anybody have any experience with 4.10 gearing on an otherwise stock motor? Does the car still hit 60 in 2nd gear, and is gas mileage killed that much?
Just thinking aloud, thanks
Then I think, "Hey, if they just put in 4.10 gears in the rear, would they see the same gains?"
What I'm getting at is an additional 50-100 whp will reduce your 1/4 mile times and 0-60 times by a certain amount. However, will adding 4.10 gears INSTEAD yield the same performance gains?
I ask because engine modifications are costly, and if I can get the same increase in measurable performance from gearing as I can from a horsepower bump, then why spend the extra cash for engine mods?
Does anybody have any experience with 4.10 gearing on an otherwise stock motor? Does the car still hit 60 in 2nd gear, and is gas mileage killed that much?
Just thinking aloud, thanks
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by KMK454
I read of many people putting in things like headers, intake, tune, maybe a cam, and getting anywhere from 40 to 100 more wheel horsepower depending upon the aggressiveness of the setup.
Then I think, "Hey, if they just put in 4.10 gears in the rear, would they see the same gains?"
What I'm getting at is an additional 50-100 whp will reduce your 1/4 mile times and 0-60 times by a certain amount. However, will adding 4.10 gears INSTEAD yield the same performance gains?
I ask because engine modifications are costly, and if I can get the same increase in measurable performance from gearing as I can from a horsepower bump, then why spend the extra cash for engine mods?
Does anybody have any experience with 4.10 gearing on an otherwise stock motor? Does the car still hit 60 in 2nd gear, and is gas mileage killed that much?
Just thinking aloud, thanks
Then I think, "Hey, if they just put in 4.10 gears in the rear, would they see the same gains?"
What I'm getting at is an additional 50-100 whp will reduce your 1/4 mile times and 0-60 times by a certain amount. However, will adding 4.10 gears INSTEAD yield the same performance gains?
I ask because engine modifications are costly, and if I can get the same increase in measurable performance from gearing as I can from a horsepower bump, then why spend the extra cash for engine mods?
Does anybody have any experience with 4.10 gearing on an otherwise stock motor? Does the car still hit 60 in 2nd gear, and is gas mileage killed that much?
Just thinking aloud, thanks
Well, I did 4.10 gearing last after doing pretty much everything you can do NA and I really wish now that I had done them first. I love my other mods and love the sound of the car but gearing will be first from now on. I now appreciate the mods all the more. The difference in the car after the gears is apples to oranges. Talk about SOTP feeling - it is incredible! Thanks DTE!
Robin
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by rgcarmack14
Well, I did 4.10 gearing last after doing pretty much everything you can do NA and I really wish now that I had done them first. I love my other mods and love the sound of the car but gearing will be first from now on. I now appreciate the mods all the more. The difference in the car after the gears is apples to oranges. Talk about SOTP feeling - it is incredible! Thanks DTE!
Robin
Robin
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: Annandale VA
Lower gears will give you that seat of the pants thrill, as the engine revs much more quickly. But your actual power delivered to the rear wheels is decreased, and you will probably have some traction problems. Sticky tires can help the traction, at the risk of drivetrain breakage.
Lower gears are fun, but IMHO, aren't worth the expense unless you also have a cam that changes your powerband.
Lower gears are fun, but IMHO, aren't worth the expense unless you also have a cam that changes your powerband.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Pueblo CO
4.10 gear cost, MPG, etc...
I did the 4.10's after I installed the Callaway Honker and Exhaust. As the bolt-on's were cool, they simply were not enough of a SOTP performance gain. My car still struggled off the line as the stock gearing was too high. I had a ZR-1 with stock gears and I did 4.09's and the car was much more responsive in all of the gears. I highly recommend this mod for anyone.
I bought the entire diff from DTE and spend $1,200 and another $900 on the install. Another $100 to send the core back too. So all in all I spent $2,200 to get it done right.
I still get 26 MPG when I cruise at 85 MPH. I probably would have gotten 30 MPG with the 3.42's, but I am sure I would have gotten more tickets as 6th in 3.42 gears my comfortable cruising speed would have been about 95 MPH. At 85 MPH my RPM's are 2,000 which is very liveable especially knowing you are getting 26 MPG.
BTW, if you ever get in a light to light race the 4.10's are perfect as it is not tire shredding as most people think it is. If you launch at idle it will barely spin the tires. If you do a 2K launch, then you will spin, but it is still momentum forward.
Thanks!
I bought the entire diff from DTE and spend $1,200 and another $900 on the install. Another $100 to send the core back too. So all in all I spent $2,200 to get it done right.
I still get 26 MPG when I cruise at 85 MPH. I probably would have gotten 30 MPG with the 3.42's, but I am sure I would have gotten more tickets as 6th in 3.42 gears my comfortable cruising speed would have been about 95 MPH. At 85 MPH my RPM's are 2,000 which is very liveable especially knowing you are getting 26 MPG.
BTW, if you ever get in a light to light race the 4.10's are perfect as it is not tire shredding as most people think it is. If you launch at idle it will barely spin the tires. If you do a 2K launch, then you will spin, but it is still momentum forward.
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by Johnny Blaze
How much did you lose as far as gas mileage?
I took my car out for a cruise to visit my brother which is a 2 hour drive and got 28. Around town, it has hung around 18 so I am happy. As for cost, I got the Stage 2 package which was about $1800 all total. My previous mods were FAST and LPE intakes, 228/228 115 lsa cam, kooks long tube headers package with x-pipe and h/f cats, Borla Stingers exhaust and a dyno tune. The response from those mods was great but the gearing just makes the car a beast. I have had no issues whatsoever with wheel spin which so many told me would happen and I can't understand why. I don't do the dragstrip or anything but just enjoy driving the car. I hated the 3.42 gearing and was so glad when gearing was available for the '06. I now have 1000 miles on the upgraded diff. and it is awesome. I would do it again w/o hesitation and encourage anyone even considering it. It is definitely a thumbs up mod.
Robin
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
I did gears after heads/cam on my C5 and got as much SOTP kick from the gears as I did the heads/cam without the problems of head/cam bucking, stinking, dying, etc.
Therefore, on my C6 I just had only gears and headers installed. Still in break in period but love those gears. Feels like the car lost 500 lbs. I gained .3-.4 from gears on my C5, we'll see soon on my C6.
Therefore, on my C6 I just had only gears and headers installed. Still in break in period but love those gears. Feels like the car lost 500 lbs. I gained .3-.4 from gears on my C5, we'll see soon on my C6.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 1
From: Eastern PA:ECS Paxton Novi 1500(676rwhp,585tq on stock engine),LG headers, 410's, Corsa Sports, ECS Alky Kit
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I'm considering 4.10 gears also. Can you tell us what speed redline is in 1st and 2nd gear? I'd love to have more SOTP, and also a more usable 6th gear, but I don't want 1st gear to be useless (would defeat the purpose for me).
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by mfinocc
How does the gear change affect top speed? What is you RPMs cruising at 70 MPH in 6th gear?
Scroll down to the bottom of the page:
http://www.dynotech-eng.com/dte_c6_diff.htm
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 5
From: NJ
Originally Posted by rgcarmack14
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by Stage7
Those #s are not accurate for the C6. I was at ~2250rpm @ 80mph in 6th gear w/3.90s.
My experience so far is that the numbers given on their site is pretty much right on with my car.
Last edited by ZO6Gal; Sep 4, 2006 at 12:08 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 5
From: NJ
Originally Posted by rgcarmack14
My experience so far is that the numbers given on their site is pretty much right on with my car.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by Stage7
Wow. Mine were not even close, and I see that you have 4.10s. Do you have the stock tires on the car? Mine is a Z51 w/oem tires.
Yes I have the stock tires but I have the F55 MN6 optioned car.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by 65vetteC6
If you switched to 3.9 or 4.10's does it 'technically' make the car faster?
Although he is speaking of his C5, I think post #8 is pretty accurate from everything I have seen/heard with the C6 as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 5
From: NJ
Originally Posted by 65vetteC6
If you switched to 3.9 or 4.10's does it 'technically' make the car faster?
Street/Drag racing: 3.90s
Road racing: 3.42s no doubt, that's why I switched back.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,032
Likes: 124
From: Dallas TX
I had great luck with bolt-on engine mods (headers, intake, exhaust) and 4.10 gears in my C5. You have stock engine reliability by NOT going into the motor, but you get a significant sound/power/thrust gain, especially with the headers and gears.
I plan the same set-up on my C6 as soon as I get it.
I plan the same set-up on my C6 as soon as I get it.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,893
Likes: 4,345
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Originally Posted by 06.Z51.MontRed.Vert
I'm considering 4.10 gears also. Can you tell us what speed redline is in 1st and 2nd gear? I'd love to have more SOTP, and also a more usable 6th gear, but I don't want 1st gear to be useless (would defeat the purpose for me).