Need more reaction off the line with a 3.8

[R.OConnor]

I need more power off the line with my 3.8 automatic, I was thinking about adding a posi unit and changing the gears. What kind of gears should I get? And what would I be looking at price wise? Is it even a good idea if I want to get a bit more acceleration off the line? I was also thinking about some flowmasters... I wanna get some mods, I just dont know what to get first and how big of a difference each thing will make... any ideas?

[ViperJ]

Well for gears do you do a lot of freeway driving? If you do I would go with 3.73 but if not I would go with 4.10. Prices aren't that bad at check out thunderracing.com for diffrent options

[R.OConnor]

I dont do a lot of freeway driving, I like cruising around town. However, would I not even be able to maintain freeway speeds with a 4.10? (sorry, I know absolutely nothing about drive trains)

[Xenostalgia]

I think 4.10s are a little high for a 6er. I have 3.23's and they kick off pretty quick, look into 3.42's if you want gearing but I'd say add some horsies to your baby and she'll take off quicker. You don't need posi to go quicker either.

CAI/Headers/Exhaust, B&M Shift kit for your auto.

[ViperJ]

Originally Posted by Xenostalgia

IYou don't need posi to go quicker either.

True posi doesn't help you go quicker but as R.OConnor mentioned he want's to be quicker off the line. Posi makes both wheels spin at the same rate even if one is losing traction, although 4th gen Camaros would have limited slip. 4.10's will still let you drive on the freeway but your rpm's will be higher and thats not good over long periods of time, but if you have the manual tranny you will be fine. Also check out http://mods.firebirdv6.com/drivetrain.html for more information because I am not an expert. Xenostalgia was right about building hp also, gears give you pretty good "bang for your buck" though.

[Hypsi87]

3.42 is reall happy on a 3.8 with an automatic.

[Savage Messiah]

Gears do not add power, they just help either acceleration or top-end speed depeding on the raito you get. That being said, you got auto or manual? If auto get 3.42, if manual you can step up to 3.73. 4.10 is real steep for a daily driver. Oh and get limited slip, you will be AMAZED at the difference it makes.

Exhaust - what's your budget? if you're looking for performance... and tone quality even... and your exhaust lasting and not rusting through... steer clear of blowmaster. Magnaflow makes great stuff, Borla does too but they're much more expensive.

[Savage Messiah]

Originally Posted by ViperJ

Posi makes both wheels spin at the same rate even if one is losing traction, although 4th gen Camaros would have limited slip.

And the LSD [limited slip differential] will put more torque to the wheel that needs it more... liek the one that isn't losing traction or the outside wheel when you're turning

[stephenp]

a 50 shot of nos is all you need for a good jump of the line
first mod that is usually suggested when modifying ANY vehicle is the exaust followed by intake and the responses after that depends on wants and needs
weight reduction will send you off the line quicker top out and better handling

[Xenostalgia]

Hypsi was running 12's with his GN with open differential. fyi.

[R.OConnor]

Yeah, I dont get a kick out of going 100 as I get from going 0-40 in around 2 seconds and leaving other people in my dust while maintaining the speed limit

Im not sure how much more of a reaction I would get with a posi, I assume I have an open end? Someone said something about AMAZING reaction... if you could elaborate the difference just a little bit for me.

So now if I did change the gears, how much work/skill am I looking at requirementwise? (note: I do have a shop teacher that is ASE certified in just about everything except A/C units so I could do it with his supervision)

[R.OConnor]

and for exhaust I heard some guy at the chevy place say flowmasters, I dont want something super cheap but I still want good bang for the buck on exhaust

[Hypsi87]

Originally Posted by Xenostalgia

Hypsi was running 12's with his GN with open differential. fyi.

Notice the smoke rolling off of 1 tire only???



best time with no posi 12.68@109

[KaotiKCamaro5]

if you want exhaust, go magnaflow.. best sounding exaust for the V6.. and its relatively cheap.

if you want my opinion, you'll get a much better launch if you invest in a higher stall torque convertor, and get a nice servo to go with it.. do a search on ebay, i think you can get a Corvette servo for like 14 bucks... i think they're supposed to add 50% more applied pressure, for firmer shifts. couple that with a shift kit, and i bet you're killin people before you even invest in performance parts..

[Savage Messiah]

I've heard that the 4l60e has the corvette servo?? idk

Torque convertor would do a lot, but it's a high investment and a little bit of a waste with an open diff

RO if youre stopped and just floor it does your tire spin a little or dig right in and go? With these Falken tires mine would all the time, with the posi it won't for obvious reasons. Also I would fishtail taking a corner at more than like 30-35, now those are no problem just digs right in. You get better traction in a line and in the curves with an lsd.

Again on your car the Flowmaster will sound pretty crappy. Kaotik and Iboth agree Magnaflow is best bang for the buck exhaust. I got my 3" catback for around... $230 I think. And it's stainless unliek Flowmaster (correct me if im wrong here someone) so wont rust through. Mine has a nice deep gurgle to it at idle, isnt TOO too loud normal driving, and roars when you stomp on it. go to www.magnaflow.com and listen to the sound clips there, see what you think. Also it is a straight thru design so it flow much much better than a flowmaster, or anything with chambers.

Changing gears yourself is a very delicate procedure. It's almost like an art lol. You need to get it EXACTLY right, using a micrometer and all that.

Also goign from 3.08 open to 3.42 lsd my gas milage really didnt even change, it went up a little from my exhaust. Anything numerically higher and you will start to effect your milage, thsi is nother reason why 4.10s are not advisable for daily use.