| Engine and Transmission Discuss Engine, Transmission, and all other performance modifications here. |
11-16-2006, 11:27 AM
|
#1
|
|
AF Regular
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Miami, Florida
Posts: 226
|
Differential gears?
Im going to swicth my gears in the next 3 months and I've been a little confused about this subject for a while. So here are my questions:
Whats the difference between switching the whole differential and just the gears inside? Why would anyone switch the whole thing?
Does changing gears give you any hp?
What size would be best for my car if i want my top speed to be around 150 mph... and have a good take off?
Where to buy gears? and what are the best brands (if any)?
Im welcoming any opinions backed by some logic.
__________________
1998 Trans Am Bone Stock...For Now!
Sold 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 QC Hemi W/ K&N Air Filter, Superchips Tuner.
Sold 1994 Firebird Formula W/ Hooker Headers, Magnaflow Exhaust, Ram Air, Fuel Pressure Regulator.
Quiters don't win, Winners don't Quit.
|
|
|
11-16-2006, 11:58 AM
|
#2
|
|
AF Fanatic
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tenafly, New Jersey
Posts: 4,697
|
Re: Differential gears?
94 formy?
Well what many people do is switch the entire rear to avoid having to pay to get new gears set up / it's a cheaper route, that's what I've done twice now.
What you would want to do is get (I'd say 4.10s, I don't doubt you can hit 150 in a formula with them and you will freaking LOVE them off the line), a good Eaton or Torsen carrier (the two are debated over which is stronger... the eatons are rebuildable whereas if the torsen breaks you need a whole new differential), and get them installed.
Changing gears doesn't give you more HP but strictly affects rate of acceleration. it is one of the most noticable mods you can do to your car.
As for brand, it seems most people go with Motive or Richmond from what I've seen.
__________________
97 Camaro - 2.077 60', 14.745 @ 92.20 - still down, one year later.
194k miles-160* thermo-V8 shocks/springs (V6 rear springs)-3" Magnaflow !cat (3" dynomax bullet) back-SLP CAI-stock boxed LCAs-poly tranny mount and torque arm bushing-custom HPTuners tuning-4.10s/eaton/TA girdle-3.5" alum DS-spohn LCA brackets-prostar skinnies
179.75 RWHP, 204.52 RWTQ
ON ITS WAY: MORE
R.I.P. Andy
87 Benz 190e - DD
01 EX250 - still gotta get my license for this thing
|
|
|
11-16-2006, 12:24 PM
|
#3
|
|
AF Regular
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Miami, Florida
Posts: 226
|
Re: Differential gears?
sounds good...where would i get an eaton with 4.10's already inside???
And can that be done by me? I know i can't change the gears on my own but can i change my differential on my own?
__________________
1998 Trans Am Bone Stock...For Now!
Sold 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 QC Hemi W/ K&N Air Filter, Superchips Tuner.
Sold 1994 Firebird Formula W/ Hooker Headers, Magnaflow Exhaust, Ram Air, Fuel Pressure Regulator.
Quiters don't win, Winners don't Quit.
|
|
|
11-17-2006, 09:56 AM
|
#4
|
|
AF Regular
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Miami, Florida
Posts: 226
|
Re: Differential gears?
Come on guys i know there are a few people in here that changed their diff. Where can i get one of those suckers i really want to start looking for prices so i know how much i need to save. Also what is considered a good price?
__________________
1998 Trans Am Bone Stock...For Now!
Sold 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 QC Hemi W/ K&N Air Filter, Superchips Tuner.
Sold 1994 Firebird Formula W/ Hooker Headers, Magnaflow Exhaust, Ram Air, Fuel Pressure Regulator.
Quiters don't win, Winners don't Quit.
|
|
|
11-23-2006, 09:44 AM
|
#5
|
|
AF Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Claremore, Oklahoma
Posts: 72
|
Re: Differential gears?
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Im3good4u
sounds good...where would i get an eaton with 4.10's already inside???
And can that be done by me? I know i can't change the gears on my own but can i change my differential on my own?
|
My opinion
4.10's + V6 = Crappy Gas mileage and absolutely no top end
I would say go for 3.73's
But it's hard to say not knowing what you use your car for. (Long trips to work, crusing, racing, etc...)
Also a nice 3200 Torque converter for Auto's makes a great upgrade for almost perfect launches.
__________________
Current Mods
Hypertech Powerstat 160F
Flowmaster 80 Series
Pacesetter Headers
SLP Induction Package
MAF Screen Removed
Custom Intake Baffle
Shaved/Smoothed AirLid
Catless
|
|
|
12-01-2006, 03:28 PM
|
#6
|
|
AF Regular
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Miami, Florida
Posts: 226
|
Re: Differential gears?
My car is not a v6... I have an LT1 5.7 liter V8... And right now it is my daily driver to work, but it wont be in a year.
But i just need to know were i can get one of these diffs with 4.10 inside
__________________
1998 Trans Am Bone Stock...For Now!
Sold 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 QC Hemi W/ K&N Air Filter, Superchips Tuner.
Sold 1994 Firebird Formula W/ Hooker Headers, Magnaflow Exhaust, Ram Air, Fuel Pressure Regulator.
Quiters don't win, Winners don't Quit.
|
|
|
12-01-2006, 10:48 PM
|
#7
|
|
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: okc, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,722
|
Re: Differential gears?
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Im3good4u
My car is not a v6... I have an LT1 5.7 liter V8... And right now it is my daily driver to work, but it wont be in a year.
But i just need to know were i can get one of these diffs with 4.10 inside
|
If you go for 4.10, expect a top end of like 90mph. A lot of highway miles will rag out the engine pretty fast.
If you really want all that top end get a 2.73. Thats what i have and with a 350/350 setup it has plenty of pedal left at 120mph. 70mph i can still grab second gear and off the line it still has a fairly decent launch. Im sure sombody with a 3.73-4.10 could launch a little harder, but with a gear like that expect anybody with a 2.73 to blow your doors off on the highway.
EDIT: i havent really pushed mine past 120 because my tires are shit right now, but i used one of those online deals that tells you what your top speed is, and i believe with my current setup it was like 167mph.
__________________
|
|
|
12-02-2006, 05:17 PM
|
#8
|
|
AF Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Elmwood, Illinois
Posts: 43
|
Re: Differential gears?
i have 4:10 gears and i like them. you'll have a great launch, little less top end, but ive had my car to 140 so...
kyle
__________________

1996 Trans am-
lt1 6spd
pacesetter lt's
ory-pipe
160* thermostat
slp fan control switch
4:10grs
cobra wheels
slp intake
hurst short throw
magnaflow catback
Daily Driver-86 4wd danger ranger
|
|
|
12-03-2006, 04:22 PM
|
#9
|
|
AF Fanatic
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tenafly, New Jersey
Posts: 4,697
|
Re: Differential gears?
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by SLPbirdy00
My opinion
4.10's + V6 = Crappy Gas mileage and absolutely no top end
I would say go for 3.73's
But it's hard to say not knowing what you use your car for. (Long trips to work, crusing, racing, etc...)
Also a nice 3200 Torque converter for Auto's makes a great upgrade for almost perfect launches.
|
Your opinion?
So you've owned a 3.8 with 4.10s?
Gas milage is fine (25 mpg is fine with me), I've pegged out my speedometer with room to spare, and have been daily driving it for about 9 months now... city and highway, highway being cruising between 65 and 85.
And at for a torque converter, ye it is pretty much a must have for an auto, but the size stall that will work best is different car to car. It depends on things like powerband and gearing to correctly matcha stall size to a car. For instance, in the 3.8 performance world, 3200 is a tiny bit small, most people seeing the best gains have 3500-4000
__________________
97 Camaro - 2.077 60', 14.745 @ 92.20 - still down, one year later.
194k miles-160* thermo-V8 shocks/springs (V6 rear springs)-3" Magnaflow !cat (3" dynomax bullet) back-SLP CAI-stock boxed LCAs-poly tranny mount and torque arm bushing-custom HPTuners tuning-4.10s/eaton/TA girdle-3.5" alum DS-spohn LCA brackets-prostar skinnies
179.75 RWHP, 204.52 RWTQ
ON ITS WAY: MORE
R.I.P. Andy
87 Benz 190e - DD
01 EX250 - still gotta get my license for this thing
|
|
|
12-03-2006, 06:50 PM
|
#10
|
|
AF Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Claremore, Oklahoma
Posts: 72
|
Re: Differential gears?
Then *note* this...if you dont like the 3200 tq. converter...change the status of your current "Pending 3200 converter"
__________________
Current Mods
Hypertech Powerstat 160F
Flowmaster 80 Series
Pacesetter Headers
SLP Induction Package
MAF Screen Removed
Custom Intake Baffle
Shaved/Smoothed AirLid
Catless
|
|
|
12-03-2006, 06:54 PM
|
#11
|
|
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: okc, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,722
|
Re: Differential gears?
 opcorn:
Yall have fun with them 4.10 gears. Be sure to stay in the far right lane
EDIT: really i need to think about gearing up mine. 273 is good top end but has crappy bottom end. I want somthing between 308 and 373.
__________________
Last edited by hotrod_chevyz; 12-03-2006 at 08:09 PM.
|
|
|
12-04-2006, 08:57 AM
|
#12
|
|
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Posts: 946
|
Re: Differential gears?
yeah they wont give your engine any more horsepower but they will deliver more "umph" to the pavement. its just like downshifting on a bicycle, you dont go as fast but its a hell of a lot easier to pedal. this applies to rear ends in cars. you would probably be fast as hell with 4:10's off the line but youd be spinning a gazillion rpm in top gear on the highway
|
|
|
12-05-2006, 01:43 PM
|
#13
|
|
AF Fanatic
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tenafly, New Jersey
Posts: 4,697
|
Re: Differential gears?
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by hotrod_chevyz
 opcorn:
Yall have fun with them 4.10 gears. Be sure to stay in the far right lane
EDIT: really i need to think about gearing up mine. 273 is good top end but has crappy bottom end. I want somthing between 308 and 373.
|
you do not want 3.08s. 3.42s are not much to desire too... I should know, I had both.
Have YOU ever drven a 4.10 car?
And SLP guy, if you know me I was planning on getting a freak converter off a current 12.1 car... however that is taking too long so I'm getting a TCI 3500 instead
__________________
97 Camaro - 2.077 60', 14.745 @ 92.20 - still down, one year later.
194k miles-160* thermo-V8 shocks/springs (V6 rear springs)-3" Magnaflow !cat (3" dynomax bullet) back-SLP CAI-stock boxed LCAs-poly tranny mount and torque arm bushing-custom HPTuners tuning-4.10s/eaton/TA girdle-3.5" alum DS-spohn LCA brackets-prostar skinnies
179.75 RWHP, 204.52 RWTQ
ON ITS WAY: MORE
R.I.P. Andy
87 Benz 190e - DD
01 EX250 - still gotta get my license for this thing
|
|
|
12-05-2006, 03:56 PM
|
#14
|
|
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: lubbock, Texas
Posts: 660
|
Re: Differential gears?
I wouldnt go with a 3200 stall if ur not heads and cam, LT1's make their power lower there for a higher stall doesnt really benefit u. Something like 2800 is better for u and coming from experience 3.73 is plenty of gear for an automatic, 4.10's are a little overkill for an A4 V8.
__________________

R.I.P. Andy, A great guy and an even better friend.
2000 Z28 A4:
Patriot 226 cam, Comp 918's, Comp Ti retainers, NX 100 shot, Vig 3600 stall, Richmond 3.73's, 2.5in TD's w/ H-pipe & 1-chamber flowmasters, 160* stat, TSP Lid, K&N filter, MSD wires.
BADBOYRACING!!!
|
|
|
12-05-2006, 04:01 PM
|
#15
|
|
Firebird Guy
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Westminster, Colorado
Posts: 6,590
|
Re: Differential gears?
I have 4.11's.
75MPH in 6th gear is 2,000 RPM's.
A little much in an auto 4th gen though.
__________________
1999 Pontiac Trans Am WS.6 #1747
Stock'ish'
|
|
|
|