If you had to pick just one, which would it be, and Why???? Which is gonna get you down the track faster???

 

Gears!!!

Because AintQik and SpinMonster said so.

Seriously, I would do gears, because for me it's all about performance, not numbers. What on earth am I talking about? Well, I'm glad you asked.

HP/TQ vary as you move through the RPMs and peak numbers don't excite me unless they happen where I drive. Meaning that if I raced my car in the 1/4 I'd probably care more about peak HP than if it's a daily driver because in the 1/4 most of my driving is in the peak range (5K to 7K).

Headers are likely to add roughly 20 - 40 HP depending on other modifications. This will translate into better acceleration to some degree. Gears will not necessarily increase RW HP/TQ, but will likely result in MUCH improved acceleration over the headers (even though the numbers don't coroberate).

I think Spin said he thinks that going from stock A6 gears to 3.42, I would likely experience the equivalent of a 80 - 100 HP increase in real world acceleration. Now that's what I'm talking about!!!

Gears support improved launch and true tq at the wheels (meaning under load, it's more responsive).

As I drive my car as much as humanly possible, around town, on the highway, on long trips, and to Starbucks I want my power available light to light (e.g. below 5-6K RPM). Additionally, as I plan to autocross my car in solo 2 (under 80 MPH) with lots of twisties, I really want the acceleration at low speeds/RPMs.

That being said, if headers are a bunch cheaper than gears, I may go with them 1st. If money is not an issue, I'll go with the gears.

 

The Gear sould b a starting base for perfrmance, I see the cost of Gears as opposed to LGLT headers is about the same.
LGLT's + CATS + install w Tune = $2200
4.10 Gears + hardened axle 9diff exchange $2200
I got the Headers first and the 4.10 are definately next.

 

Gears. No question. You feel gears every time you hit the gas, not just in the upper RPM range. Gears make the car feel 500 lbs lighter. Your car is snappier on the street and the track.

CAI, gears and a tune will get you about 1 second off your 1/4 mile time and will make you think you got a new car.

Been there done that. Problem is, after a year...you still want more.

 

No question, gears - unless mpg is an issue.

 

I vote headers,because they are a modification that is a foundation for every engine mod in the future. Engine performance starts with better breathing. The restrictive, heavy, cast manifolds are a huge bottleneck in the airflow chain. Every engine mod you can after headers will be that much better due to removing that first restriction. In my opiniom 4.10 gears are not a good choice for a mainly street car. With stock tires it will be hard to hook up in the first two gears. Thats great if you want to do smoke shows at every attempted launch. And with premium gas now nearing $4.50 a gallon! and only going up from there 4.10 gears will send you looking for more gas stations even if you keep your foot out of it.

 

You wont even notice the difference at the pump maybe 1 or 2 mpg less. ....maybe. it all depends on driving style Gears

 

Due to the gear multiplication you will get less gas mileage at all speeds with all things being equal. So steady driving at 60mph lets say with two cars with stock gearing and 4.10's the stock geared car will get better mileage.
I dont have numbers available but I think its more than 1 or 2 mpg,but I cant confirm that.

 

The only time "all things are equal" is when the stock gear shifts into 6th gear. Prior to that the 4.10 car can use a higher gear (e.g. 6th gear versus using 5th for the stock car) and achieve the same low rpms. Your example of 60 mph is about right where any noticable change occurs because below that speed, 6th gear is rarely used on a stock geared car and thr rpms being turned by a 4.10 car are still quite low.

BTW, this assumes a stock cam. A bigger cam may get better fuel economy at 1500 rpm than at 1200 rpm.

 

Headers versus 4.10's? This is a no brainer when it comes to absolute performance, 4.10's all the way!! It is the equivalent of 60rwhp, in terms of pure acceleration. Headers will give you 20-25rwhp, now get a tune in addition to the above mods and you are now torque city .

 

I must disagree with you here.

A) The OP wanted to know which mod to choose first for performance gains and get down the track faster. No question here the 4.10's are king of the hill..

B) The myth about the mileage loss is minute and negligible (1 to 2 miles mpg) compared to the massive .3 to .4 tenths gain at ET with a good driver.

c) You don't mod a corvette because you are worried about gas mileage. I am sure the OP knows the price of gas these days. I mod for raw power and performance.

I didn't think about gas mileage last time I punched it 0-170 mph at Grumman air strip

 

I vote for headers all the way, Gears add no horsepower!

 

 

Headers.... Gears will make you quicker not faster.... Headers will make you quicker and faster....

 

im confused. You're say gears will make you quicker. Then, in the next sentence you say that headers will make you quicker.

Which is it?

 

 

I was referring to being quicker or faster than you were before the mod was done...

It's simple really... Gears may give you .2-.3 tenths or so in the 1\4 gain, but your mph will be similar to what it was before. Most likely you will lose mph with the steeper gears. So you are quicker, not faster... Headers will give you .2 -.3 tenths and 2-3 mph in the 1\4 gain. So you are quicker and faster...

From a roll (on a track), the header only car would walk the gear only car every time. It wouldn't be close....

 

I'll disagree right back at ya.Let me tell you why..
A-show me where in the OP does he say"which mod to choose first".
B- You and others call it a "myth" that mileage suffers with gear swaps. I would love to see verified proof of this. Heresay from a guy who was told that by the shop who sold him the gear swap dont do it.
C-I certainly mod my car with fuel economy in mind as well as performance. Its not my daily driver but I do like to take long road trips in it,and at $65 fills ups it gets me thinking about saving some. Its not the gun and runs at Grummans Im concerned about its the eating up miles on the Hwy.You say you mod for raw power and performace and arent concerned with mileage but I am and others are also,not that I speak for the OP,he can speak for himself. But you have a fast car and I hope I dont have to line-up against ya.

 

My friend you need a ride in my LS2 vette.. I will be more than happy to take you for a ride and view my gas mileage and sheer neck breaking assault feature of my LS2.

Believe me you won't be disappointed.

 

I have 4.10s, here's what I see MPG with mine:





Video

I can take you for a ride anytime for you to see up close, we only live 1 town apart.

I've done some more performance mods since then, added a cam, L92 Heads and L76 manifold. Even with the extra 80 or so HP, the gas mileage and drivabilty with the 4.10s is still amazing. Check out this other video.