Got my 4.10's installed.

[xmetallicaxguitaristx]

This is copied from my thread @ FTV6

All I can say is whoever was thinking about it.. DO IT. So worth it. Pulls so much harder because it's in the power band instantly. My stall actually raised. Before it was 2800, now I can get it to 3000 or so.

I barely have traction in first gear from a roll, and that is with BRAND NEW tires (Michelin sports. They have really good grip) with my old tires I would have raped the tires in first gear.

I'm glad I didn't go with the 3.73's.

And just for reference I paid $375 final price to have them installed. I provided the install kit. This was the cheapest quote I got around here, and these guys only work on GM/Ford, specializing in F-bodies and Corvettes.. So naturally I went to that place.

[FireEagle22]

Re: Got my 4.10's installed.

Awesome man!!! I'm definitely thinking of doing this upgrade also! Wow I can't believe you can lose traction easily on new tires. Sounds like my kind of mod! lol I have a question for you though man do they make differentials for the 4.10 gear sets? Are you running a differential or are you just peg legging away with that one tire fire? One last question I read on this website that a couple people reported a big drop in fuel economy? Whats your take on this? Cant you just start the car in 2nd or 3rd and fix this problem or shift a lot sooner?

[xmetallicaxguitaristx]

Re: Got my 4.10's installed.

I have a torsen LSD.. I feel bad for someone that puts 4.10's in an open... you would be spinning off every stop.

[ssms5411]

Re: Got my 4.10's installed.

What brand of gears did you go with? Also did you use a paddle kit on it? I went with GM Motives 3.73's from 3.42's and it was a nice jump in rpms on the stall, mine shifts over 3000 rpms also shifting at 6000 rpms(will work very well with nitrous and a window switch set at 3000 rpms, you'll always be on the nitrous through the shifts). I was going to do the 4.10's, but oh well when I wear out the 3.73's, I'll probably go with 4.10's. I also have a Torsen Diff, I think they are outstanding. Nice job on the 4.10's.

[Rob Bell]

Re: Got my 4.10's installed.

FireEagle22, I don't think it's the shifting and such that hurts fuel ecomony.... It's that the engine is running at higher RPM's all the time which consumes more fuel. I would like to know, though, what the difference is. If it's just a couple MPG, that's nothing. But if it's a huge drop, then well.........

[ssms5411]

Re: Got my 4.10's installed.

With my 3.73's I haven't lost much or any fuel mileage. I still get 22-23mpg city and highway/city 26-28mpg. Now when I'm getting on the gas like going WOT light to light then I've seen as low as 15-17mpg. It's just so tempting to mash the gas all the time.lol

[Rob Bell]

Re: Got my 4.10's installed.

Haha yeah, I guess that's something that would have to be taken into account. A lot of the poor mileage readings are probably because it's too much fun using the extra gas.

[xmetallicaxguitaristx]

Re: Got my 4.10's installed.

Exactly.. Everyone I have talked to said, TECHNICALLY, you will get better city gas mileage because it's less of a load with the higher gears. And on the highway you should lose like 1-2mpg. I haven't been able to test my RPMS yet cruising.

And you lose MPG in the city only because like ssms said, it's too tempting to take off fast.. and it's a lot EASIER now too. Seems like I hit the gas and I am at the top of the gear almost instantly. And like I read somewhere else, you only lose maybe 6-8 MPH off the top end, but who cares cause not many V6's are going to be going that fast anyways. To me it's all about the acceleration. And you don't lose any "top end power".. if anything, it feels more "powerful" in every single gear. Only disadvantage is the gear limited speed drops 6-8 MPH, and your RPMs on the highway will be higher, giving you worse gas mileage. But taking off from stops is actually easier for the car to do, so if you drive in the city a lot, and take it easy, you should actually see MPG GAINS.

[ssms5411]

Re: Got my 4.10's installed.

^ The gear calculator says my 3rd gear at 6000 rpms I would be at 121-122mph and top speed is like 167-168mph with 3.73's. Having Hptuners and a wideband setup I think I'm getting the most out of my fuel mileage. One of these days I'll get a reading of just going the speed limit and not going WOT most of the time and see what my MPG is. It will be hard to do but I'll try and do it.

[FireEagle22]

Re: Got my 4.10's installed.

From Rob Bell:
FireEagle22, I don't think it's the shifting and such that hurts fuel ecomony.... It's that the engine is running at higher RPM's all the time which consumes more fuel. I would like to know, though, what the difference is. If it's just a couple MPG, that's nothing. But if it's a huge drop, then well.........

Yeah I understand that when you are running higher RPM"s your result is higher gas mileage. Thats why I was saying for example lets say you have 3.23 gears and you are always shifting at 3,500 RPM and you are achieving 20 CITY and 29 Highway couldn't you achieve the same mileage by shifting at the exact same 3,500 RPM on 4.10 gears.

[Rob Bell]

Re: Got my 4.10's installed.

Well think about it though, accelerating and shifting are really a small portion of the actual driving time. When you are cruising, be it at 30mph in the city or 80mph on the highway, the engine will be turning faster, so it will use more fuel. One of the reasons today's cars get better mileage is that they have overdrive to slow the engine down at highway speed. Your 4.10 gears are going to be speeding the engine back up. Probably not as bad as if you're not using overdrive though.... but it will speed up some. Maybe a couple hundred RPM? If you stay off the gas it probably won't make much of a difference. I would think the MPG loss would only be 2 mpg or so. But I'm no expert because I have not done it... so take my opinion for what it's worth - nothing haha. Best thing to do is research and find people who have switched (be it any car) and see what their results are.

[xmetallicaxguitaristx]

Re: Got my 4.10's installed.

From Rob Bell:
FireEagle22, I don't think it's the shifting and such that hurts fuel ecomony.... It's that the engine is running at higher RPM's all the time which consumes more fuel. I would like to know, though, what the difference is. If it's just a couple MPG, that's nothing. But if it's a huge drop, then well.........

Yeah I understand that when you are running higher RPM"s your result is higher gas mileage. Thats why I was saying for example lets say you have 3.23 gears and you are always shifting at 3,500 RPM and you are achieving 20 CITY and 29 Highway couldn't you achieve the same mileage by shifting at the exact same 3,500 RPM on 4.10 gears.

And that's the thing.. If you shifted at the exact same RPM, you would get better gas mileage in the city.. Because it is easier for the engine to physically move the car because of the gear advantage.

I barely touch the gas and the car lurches and it's already at 20 mph.