Hello all. Common question for the experienced techies out there; What would your suggested upgrade path be under this specific scenario?

Car as is -> 2010 Base M6 with NPP exhaust; Michelin Pilot SSs, Hotchkis sway bars on soft setting, Billstein HD shocks, Centric HC Rotors, Stoptech Sport Pads), Goodridge G-Stop Brakelines, Vararam SC1R Snake Charmer CAI.

Intended use: Daily driver, a lot of city time, a lot of short highway runs, and occasional countryside driving in Southern FL. Driven relatively fast, but seldom near redline.

Wishlist: more power, with a preference for low end and acceleration over absolute top end. More confident, effective braking at speed. Crisper shifting. Steering feel could be improved; seems a little less linear and direct than previously owned 350z with coilovers adjusted by a good mech who raced Miatas. Improved head unit & bass output from stereo, reduced bass rattle on door.

Money is an object so bang for the buck is the sweet spot. Upgrade steps should probably be limited to roughly $2k per activity. The car is under comprehensive (used/aftermarket) dealer warranty at carMax for 3 more years. Has about 49k miles on it.

For anyone interested in answering I am curious about the path you would take and why in this situation. I have read a bunch of previous similar posts here as a starting point.

 

The quickest way with a ~$2K budget to improve low end acceleration is either 3.90 or 4.10 rear gears. Buy the whole rebuilt assy and install it yourself for $1400 + shipping. Shop labor may add $3-500. Retain your current 3.42 as a backup or return to stock for resale. Add a local dyno tune for $400 or just a speedometer correction for less money. You can always add headers or other power improvements as your finances allow. Be aware of the limits of changes your warranty allows. Chances are that a gear change is OK, but power increasing mods and tuning are not.

 

Hey, thanks HOXXOH. Edited: Read a primer on gearing, it has cleared things up for me on your suggestion. Based on my new understanding the maximum output torque can be increased through gearing; Transmission output torque = Engine torque x gear ratio. Devious action. Will look further into it.

 

I am curious though what is the sensation / driving feel that goes with the gear change? How does it affect traffic driving? Are the shifts dramatically closer together? Is there a significant impact on efficiency / mpg?

 

XOXXOH suggestion is very good and different that what most people will recommend. If you chose to go this route HP Sales in West Palm has a gear swap package for $1995 I can't recommend them, cause I haven't use them for any work. But here is the link to their packages;

http://www.horsepowersales.v12soft.com/custom/

I am also in South Florida and have a similar thread with great information and additional options. Good luck with the project and keep us posted.

 

@ Nelson765; Right on. It looks like the package for $2k is only Camaros, $2.4k for 2010 'vette if I am reading that correctly. Are there any companies known for making higher quality differential parts for the C6? Anything to be avoided or any warnings that go with changing the final gear ratio via differential gear swap?

 

Yes, I realized my mistake shortly after. But it seems like a decent deal at $2400. But I'm new to mods, not really sure if it is a good price or not. That is the only local shop that list the prices for some of their packages. Most local shops won't list their prices on their websites, something that I don't understand, but it makes it very hard to figure out what you should pay for different services. They list some of their services but not the prices, WTF. I've email a shop multiple times asking for prices and I'm still waiting for answers. I tried calling several times and they don't answer. I can only guess that they have so much work that can't take anymore. I even ask for prices of the packages advertised in the website and they still won't answer! It must be a national security secret. We can tell you but we'll have to kill you if we do. LOL

I've a good tip for a small local shop that works mostly on Corvettes and are very reasonable with their prices. I'll be visiting them this in the next few days. PM me if interested and I'll let you know what I find out.