A6 and Gear Ratio
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
I never had a problem admittied being wrong, have you? In this instance, Drag Times DA has given correct DA info for every track
folks have run (save for some minor varience with altitude vs Google Earth). Except, quite oddly, for your deep negative DA track called Atco.
You cannot put a handheld weather station directly in the sun and/or clouds on the track surface, you will get incorrect readings all the time. For measuring track surface temp, you use an infra red temperature sensor. Every handheld weather station instruction manual will tell you to use that instrument in the shade ONLY.
For further details on how to use a handhled weather station correctly at the track, do contact Ranger. Basically he puts his Kestrel in an upside down 5 gallon bucket with the top cut off and out of direct sun shining down on it. Thus, it is now quite apparent why those Atco DA readings of yours are so out of whack with the rest of the world!
folks have run (save for some minor varience with altitude vs Google Earth). Except, quite oddly, for your deep negative DA track called Atco.
You cannot put a handheld weather station directly in the sun and/or clouds on the track surface, you will get incorrect readings all the time. For measuring track surface temp, you use an infra red temperature sensor. Every handheld weather station instruction manual will tell you to use that instrument in the shade ONLY.
For further details on how to use a handhled weather station correctly at the track, do contact Ranger. Basically he puts his Kestrel in an upside down 5 gallon bucket with the top cut off and out of direct sun shining down on it. Thus, it is now quite apparent why those Atco DA readings of yours are so out of whack with the rest of the world!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
Pro
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Been there, done that with running a 4000 stall in my A6 and definitely wouldn't recommend it.
My 3600 drives fantastic but the 4000 was very slushy during normal driving and got me absolutely nothing at the track. I made a grand total of 7 passes over the course of two trips before finally going "uhh...that's enough for me" and pulled it out to put a 3600 back in.
My 3600 drives fantastic but the 4000 was very slushy during normal driving and got me absolutely nothing at the track. I made a grand total of 7 passes over the course of two trips before finally going "uhh...that's enough for me" and pulled it out to put a 3600 back in.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
Thanks!
Last edited by siffert; Apr 12, 2009 at 04:29 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,097
Likes: 5
From: Brentwood World's first A6 in the 9's (including N/A, blower, turbo and nitrous cars) 9.950@139.267 CA
I just want to say that I've run anywhere from 3200 to 5500 stalls and I can see where a lot of folks might not like the looseness of a 4000, but that for a car that shifts at 6500 or higher, a 4000 stall for strong 60 ft times is a no brainer. A few of the guys on here have pulled high 1.5's which is awesome, but for drag racing, 1.3's are where it's at. I know someone on here pulled a 1.48 or so with a LS7 swap and like a 3600 stall, which is awesome. To hit a 1.42 will require playing with it some more and finding some more STR.
After doing the engine swap I figure I must have pinched a wire or something as I was getting the trio of service lights (ABS,TC & AH) on my dash and mistakenly assumed that the TC simply wasn't working as a result. After looking over my scans the other night I realized that it wasn't a case of it not working, but rather it was on all the time and I wasn't able to turn it off.
As a result of my little "discovery" I'm hoping to improve on my ETs and 60ft even more.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,922
Likes: 4
From: Cheektowaga NY
St. Jude Donor '08
That would be me who did the LS7 swap and as it turns out, those 1.4x 60fts have been with my Traction Control on fulltime!
After doing the engine swap I figure I must have pinched a wire or something as I was getting the trio of service lights (ABS,TC & AH) on my dash and mistakenly assumed that the TC simply wasn't working as a result. After looking over my scans the other night I realized that it wasn't a case of it not working, but rather it was on all the time and I wasn't able to turn it off.
As a result of my little "discovery" I'm hoping to improve on my ETs and 60ft even more.
After doing the engine swap I figure I must have pinched a wire or something as I was getting the trio of service lights (ABS,TC & AH) on my dash and mistakenly assumed that the TC simply wasn't working as a result. After looking over my scans the other night I realized that it wasn't a case of it not working, but rather it was on all the time and I wasn't able to turn it off.
As a result of my little "discovery" I'm hoping to improve on my ETs and 60ft even more.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,922
Likes: 4
From: Cheektowaga NY
St. Jude Donor '08
Hi...no need for a free tune from you, I got a more agressive new paid tune (from my past tune from Larry's House of Tuning) last week from Jose at The Bone Yard. Went to the track today, set a new PB. From my new tune, skinnies and your SpinFast 90, I figure I picked up around .10 and 2 mph from your SpinFast (this was after getting nada from a ported stock intake). This was with no cam added so I would think .20 and 3 mph would be good for a cam car with a SpinFast. Thus I now proclaim to all here the credit due you for your intake manifold mods and porting. Thanks!
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,097
Likes: 5
From: Brentwood World's first A6 in the 9's (including N/A, blower, turbo and nitrous cars) 9.950@139.267 CA
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 279
Likes: 1
From: McHenry IL
St. Jude Donor '10
Wow, what did I start 
I think you guys are on topic, with the suggestions, information and combo experiences. I'm basically driving the street. Perhaps a trip to the track a couple times a year for kicks.
Now a few questions...I am new to the automatic and wanted to know what is meant by "sloppy" or "loose" when referring to a converter?
Can that be tuned out as mentioned?
Does the trans feel like its slips them bam, it lock up?
Please excuse my ignorance
I think you guys are on topic, with the suggestions, information and combo experiences. I'm basically driving the street. Perhaps a trip to the track a couple times a year for kicks.
Now a few questions...I am new to the automatic and wanted to know what is meant by "sloppy" or "loose" when referring to a converter?
Can that be tuned out as mentioned?
Does the trans feel like its slips them bam, it lock up?
Please excuse my ignorance
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Drag Times DA does not make predictions. It takes the weather data for
a given track and a given date/time and applies the 4 components that make up DA (temp, altitude, barometer and humidity) and gives a scientific number for what has already occured. The fact that Drag Times DA (along with every other online web site and cable/TV broadcast weather) does not match to your "Atco Boys weather station"
does not mean it is inaccurate. 
a given track and a given date/time and applies the 4 components that make up DA (temp, altitude, barometer and humidity) and gives a scientific number for what has already occured. The fact that Drag Times DA (along with every other online web site and cable/TV broadcast weather) does not match to your "Atco Boys weather station"
does not mean it is inaccurate. 
For further details on how to use a handhled weather station correctly at the track, do contact Ranger. Basically he puts his Kestrel in an upside down 5 gallon bucket with the top cut off and out of direct sun shining down on it. Thus, it is now quite apparent why those Atco DA readings of yours are so out of whack with the rest of the world!
Makes sense though, maybe our guys should try it that way next time.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
, now wouldn't that change one of the 4 elements like the temp, it could actually stop any heat from the track radiating into the bucket,the bucket is insulating the surface heat of the track from the weather station thus giving a false reading of the real da at the track, the surface area, the actual track itself. and that could be a big difference in the real da when racing know wonder your da never matches 
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: Annandale VA
Wow, what did I start
I think you guys are on topic, with the suggestions, information and combo experiences. I'm basically driving the street. Perhaps a trip to the track a couple times a year for kicks.
Now a few questions...I am new to the automatic and wanted to know what is meant by "sloppy" or "loose" when referring to a converter?
Can that be tuned out as mentioned?
Does the trans feel like its slips them bam, it lock up?
Please excuse my ignorance
I think you guys are on topic, with the suggestions, information and combo experiences. I'm basically driving the street. Perhaps a trip to the track a couple times a year for kicks.
Now a few questions...I am new to the automatic and wanted to know what is meant by "sloppy" or "loose" when referring to a converter?
Can that be tuned out as mentioned?
Does the trans feel like its slips them bam, it lock up?
Please excuse my ignorance
The converter is "loose" in that it is not as directly connected to the drivetrain, and doesn't "lock up" immediately. In everyday street driving, you won't get as much instant throttle response. The engine will rev just as freely, but the car doesn't feel like it is as responsive.
If you've ever been in stop & go traffic, the feeling you get in first gear is that if you just touch the gas, the car will leap forward, and if you let off the gas, the car will instantly deccelerate. A "loose" converter gives you the opposite sensation. If you touch the gas, the revs might increase, but the car doesn't leap forward immediately. It feels disconnected, or sloppy.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,404
From: Bethesda MD
A 3600 stall will not brake stall to 3600. it will generate enough torque to overpower the brakes well before its rated stall speed. 2200 - 2400 rpm is about all it should do depending upon the brakes, converter STR, engine torque curve etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,838
Likes: 1
From: Valencia '32 Ford 3 window with 615 HP!!!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'09
I "have" a 2800 stall "and" 3.15 gears and I can tell You that I would go with the 3.15's over the 3.42's!
I also have over 550 rwhp.
Good luck
I also have over 550 rwhp.
Good luck
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: Annandale VA
Point well taken. So let's just say that it will flash to 3600 RPM almost immediately after launch, much more quickly than the OEM converter.
Pro
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Well basically it's running as much converter and gear as you should with a given rear until (a) you can't hook it and you have to do something about that, or (b) you now run through your power band too fast.
We've been messing with Gen III and IV engines long enough to know that a 3600 stall is still very streetable and could get an engine like an LS3 into the low 1.7's maybe 1.6's. 1.5's might be hard maybe 1.58's etc. Great stuff.
Really the question is what is too much. If I had unlimited cash and time, I'd start with a 5200 stall and work my way down. I'm guessing a 4000-4200 would do good things. What does R-Edgar run or some of those other NJ NA C5's? Plus, the bigger the engine the less you would buzz it up do to piston speed etc., plus you'd have better torque due to the cubes. It's a bit of a matrix.
We've been messing with Gen III and IV engines long enough to know that a 3600 stall is still very streetable and could get an engine like an LS3 into the low 1.7's maybe 1.6's. 1.5's might be hard maybe 1.58's etc. Great stuff.
Really the question is what is too much. If I had unlimited cash and time, I'd start with a 5200 stall and work my way down. I'm guessing a 4000-4200 would do good things. What does R-Edgar run or some of those other NJ NA C5's? Plus, the bigger the engine the less you would buzz it up do to piston speed etc., plus you'd have better torque due to the cubes. It's a bit of a matrix.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
could you explain this a little better, i dont understand, you take a 5 gallon bucket upside down with the top cut off, isn't the top of a bucket open already, now wouldn't that change one of the 4 elements like the temp, it could actually stop any heat from the track radiating into the bucket,the bucket is insulating the surface heat of the track from the weather station thus giving a false reading of the real da at the track, the surface area, the actual track itself. and that could be a big difference in the real da when racing know wonder your da never matches
, now wouldn't that change one of the 4 elements like the temp, it could actually stop any heat from the track radiating into the bucket,the bucket is insulating the surface heat of the track from the weather station thus giving a false reading of the real da at the track, the surface area, the actual track itself. and that could be a big difference in the real da when racing know wonder your da never matches while running at the track your car doesn't take it's air directly from a source that's shrouded in an upside down bucket with it's top cut off? 
The air at the actual track, at roughly bumper/air filter inlet level is the air that a motor sees, NOT from inside a protected but slightly opened bucket. That air may be heated from the track, that air may be cooled from the wind, that air may be exposed to a dry or moist condition etc etc but that is that the air the car is receiving.
Now I'll be the first to admit that I'm in no position to question Ranger's expertise on anything, but until I see his Z06 rolling down the track with a very large plastic bucket surrounding around it entirely
then I will still have to why his weather station is being utilized that way as well.
Pro
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
You can pretty much tell what car purchase I have been researching lately, so I found the gearing/ converter discussion interesting.
So the stock A6 transmssion gear is as follows right:
4.030:1 first gear ratio
2.360:1 second gear ratio
1.530:1 third gear ratio
1.150:1 fourth gear ratio
0.850:1 fifth gear ratio
Compare to a 2002 Corvette Automatic:
3.06
1.63
1.00
0.70
I'll look around for a online gear calc program, I'd like to see the difference.
But that 4.030 first gear for the A6 is very nice, and the spacings look pretty nice. Back in the day a concern was that 1-2 shift drop off, and it seems like the A6 would not have that issue.
Now if you are going through the traps in 3rd gear, you are not going thru at 1:1, you are going through at 1.53.
So the stock A6 transmssion gear is as follows right:
4.030:1 first gear ratio
2.360:1 second gear ratio
1.530:1 third gear ratio
1.150:1 fourth gear ratio
0.850:1 fifth gear ratio
Compare to a 2002 Corvette Automatic:
3.06
1.63
1.00
0.70
I'll look around for a online gear calc program, I'd like to see the difference.
But that 4.030 first gear for the A6 is very nice, and the spacings look pretty nice. Back in the day a concern was that 1-2 shift drop off, and it seems like the A6 would not have that issue.
Now if you are going through the traps in 3rd gear, you are not going thru at 1:1, you are going through at 1.53.