Higher Gear Ratio? Why?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
Higher Gear Ratio? Why?
I dont really understand why people would want lower gear ratio's. I have 453RWHP and 1st and 2nd gear already require throttle control to avoid spinning like crazy, lower gear ratio would only make 1st and
2nd gear more uncontrollable. I can't imagine why I hear guys on the forum talk about 4:10's. The beauty of my Corvette compared to these hopped up imports is that I can carry my gear so much longer.
My car is 05' Z51.
Is it only for 1/4 mile drag racing? If thats the case I completely understand, but as far as street use, it makes no sense. I hear people say 4:10's feels like extra 100HP, that may be true if you want to spin like crazy, do you guys see my point? Especially on the higher HP vettes.
2nd gear more uncontrollable. I can't imagine why I hear guys on the forum talk about 4:10's. The beauty of my Corvette compared to these hopped up imports is that I can carry my gear so much longer.
My car is 05' Z51.
Is it only for 1/4 mile drag racing? If thats the case I completely understand, but as far as street use, it makes no sense. I hear people say 4:10's feels like extra 100HP, that may be true if you want to spin like crazy, do you guys see my point? Especially on the higher HP vettes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 891
Likes: 1
From: NY NY
I dont really understand why people would want lower gear ratio's. I have 453RWHP and 1st and 2nd gear already require throttle control to avoid spinning like crazy, lower gear ratio would only make 1st and
2nd gear more uncontrollable. I can't imagine why I hear guys on the forum talk about 4:10's. The beauty of my Corvette compared to these hopped up imports is that I can carry my gear so much longer.
My car is 05' Z51.
Is it only for 1/4 mile drag racing? If thats the case I completely understand, but as far as street use, it makes no sense. I hear people say 4:10's feels like extra 100HP, that may be true if you want to spin like crazy, do you guys see my point? Especially on the higher HP vettes.
2nd gear more uncontrollable. I can't imagine why I hear guys on the forum talk about 4:10's. The beauty of my Corvette compared to these hopped up imports is that I can carry my gear so much longer.
My car is 05' Z51.
Is it only for 1/4 mile drag racing? If thats the case I completely understand, but as far as street use, it makes no sense. I hear people say 4:10's feels like extra 100HP, that may be true if you want to spin like crazy, do you guys see my point? Especially on the higher HP vettes.
I recently had 390's installed, and they did the trick. I still have enough low end torque to keep the cam happy, and rolling along the highway is a lot of fun (there are a few really nice Sweet Spots).
As far as having fun at a red light, tires are key.
With the correct rubber, the car is killer.One thing I will emphasize is -- make sure you pick the right shop to install the gears! This is one mod that can turn into a real gut-wrenching epic if you visit the wrong shop. I learned that lesson the hard way.
Last edited by PeterM; Nov 17, 2009 at 03:25 PM. Reason: add info
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
I dont really understand why people would want lower gear ratio's. I have 453RWHP and 1st and 2nd gear already require throttle control to avoid spinning like crazy, lower gear ratio would only make 1st and
2nd gear more uncontrollable. I can't imagine why I hear guys on the forum talk about 4:10's. The beauty of my Corvette compared to these hopped up imports is that I can carry my gear so much longer.
My car is 05' Z51.
Is it only for 1/4 mile drag racing? If thats the case I completely understand, but as far as street use, it makes no sense. I hear people say 4:10's feels like extra 100HP, that may be true if you want to spin like crazy, do you guys see my point? Especially on the higher HP vettes.
2nd gear more uncontrollable. I can't imagine why I hear guys on the forum talk about 4:10's. The beauty of my Corvette compared to these hopped up imports is that I can carry my gear so much longer.
My car is 05' Z51.
Is it only for 1/4 mile drag racing? If thats the case I completely understand, but as far as street use, it makes no sense. I hear people say 4:10's feels like extra 100HP, that may be true if you want to spin like crazy, do you guys see my point? Especially on the higher HP vettes.
Im not a big fan of gearing down a street car. My car makes 522rwhp. Cars may holeshot me off the line but Im usually able to reel em in in short order and go by them with authority. I find that more satisfying anyway. Im on stock Z06 tires and am able to launch pretty good. And when we take long road trips Im not stopping for fuel as fast as hole shot special cars.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
Originally Posted by ALLBlackC6
I dont really understand why people would want lower gear ratio's. I have 453RWHP and 1st and 2nd gear already require throttle control to avoid spinning like crazy, lower gear ratio would only make 1st and 2nd gear more uncontrollable. I can't imagine why I hear guys on the forum talk about 4:10's
When you launch the car hard, do you take off in second gear, knowing that first will spin?
Originally Posted by NYC6
Im on stock Z06 tires and am able to launch pretty good. And when we take long road trips Im not stopping for fuel as fast as hole shot special cars.
). Even if my geared car is reduced to 25 mpg, I can still make it on 2 stops. A 400 mile range is typically longer than I want to drive non-stop these days, but I could do it in my youth if I had to.I think the non-geared car feels more relaxed at 75 mph than my geared Z51, so there is that benefit.
Last edited by Ragtop 99; Nov 17, 2009 at 11:30 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 807
From: West coast CA
However, I don't think anybody in history has bought a 4.10 for that reason.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
A big factor is if your a Z-51 or base transmission. The first three gears are 10 percent lower in a z-51 and 5th and 6th are lower also. So the 4:10's are shorter in the z-51. Because of the lower gears in the transmission. The 3.42's with the base tranny's .5 6th ratio are very high.
Example 92mph is 2k with the base, even with my 3.90's it is still
83 mph. where as 4:10's are only 67 mph at 2k with a z-51. HUGE difference here.
To me as I do more highway driving and 67mph @ 2k I would not like.
390's are great with the base tranny. Allows me a 10.37 first with
still a 1.95 6th perfect for my needs!
Example 92mph is 2k with the base, even with my 3.90's it is still
83 mph. where as 4:10's are only 67 mph at 2k with a z-51. HUGE difference here.
To me as I do more highway driving and 67mph @ 2k I would not like.
390's are great with the base tranny. Allows me a 10.37 first with
still a 1.95 6th perfect for my needs!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 325
From: Houston TX
Rock'n Blue 08 hinted at more of my concern. My car is a daily driver and I drive stop and go traffic, freeways, and interstates. My A6 with 2.56 gears can cruise the interstate at 27 mpg at ~95mph @ 2k rpm. I would like to see mileage numbers and noise level reports from a geared car at a similar speed.
I think gears is a highly individual decision. In my case, I can't see how they would possibly be good for me with how I use my car.
I think gears is a highly individual decision. In my case, I can't see how they would possibly be good for me with how I use my car.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
I also drive on the highway alot, my z51 I could drive cross country if I wanted to, I think 82MPH was around 1800RPM's. The member who stated 4:10's only go 67MPH at 2K RPM's that just wouldnt work for me. So I guess it does just come down to personal preferance, people who like the lower gears are either drag racers or non highway drivers.
I just always heard people answer someone's question about which mods to start with with the answer "gears" feel like 100 HP.
Truth is for someone like me they would make my car almost undriveable.
I just always heard people answer someone's question about which mods to start with with the answer "gears" feel like 100 HP.
Truth is for someone like me they would make my car almost undriveable.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
You might see if there is data from 1/4 mile guys with their 1/8 and 1/4 mph. The H&C and FI guys are pushing near 100 at the 1/8. You could look and see if non-geared cars gain more mph than geared cars on the top half of the track. I wouldn't expect to see that result, but that would give you data to around 130 mph.
Last edited by Ragtop 99; Nov 18, 2009 at 01:30 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
