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**kristen** · 12-11-2008, 08:45 AM

Re: question about gears

Originally posted by ava1219 View Post

I have an 02 3.8 camaro. im guessing my stock gears (the ones i have now) are 3.08. i would like to get new gears to make my car faster like 3.42s, 3.73s, 4:10s ect. but i really dont know how to do this. is it a computer tuning thing? or simply just buying the gears? or both? and how would i install these new gears? ty to anyone who replys, and yes i know im a noob :(

ok well gears won't make you faster...they will make you get there faster. if your car is an auto and a daily driver i wouldn't go above 3.42's. if it's a stick and a daily driver you can kinda get away with 3.73s if you don't care about mpg. 4.10's are mainly for 1/4 mile cars or weekend cars that really don't mind mpg.

gears are a part that you would replace the the rear end. Then you get your tuned for them since it will throw off your mph.

seems like you don't know much about cars or at least gears(not a bad thing we all start somewhere) but gears can be tricky to install so since this is so early in your game i say that you should take it somewhere to get installed.

hope this helps

**whitdog54** · 12-11-2008, 10:27 AM

Re: question about gears

If your not that worried about a little MPG loss, just go for the 3.73s and have it professionally done.

**Rob Bell** · 12-11-2008, 11:58 AM

Re: question about gears

Supposedly gears are very easy to mess up if you don't know exactly what you are doing. They are something I would take to a pro.

I am considering going from 3.42's to 4.10's. From what I can tell they would increase the RPM's by about 400 in 4th gear (auto). The way I am calculating this is 4.10-3.42/3.42 = .1988 --> Then Current RPM x 1.1988 = New RPM. Does this sound logical? I don't think a 400 rpm increase at, say, 75mph is too big of a deal. Any thoughts?

**EarlR** · 12-11-2008, 12:40 PM

Re: question about gears

Originally posted by Rob Bell View Post

Supposedly gears are very easy to mess up if you don't know exactly what you are doing. They are something I would take to a pro.

Yep, probably not the best place to begin your mechanic training :D

Originally posted by Rob Bell View Post

I am considering going from 3.42's to 4.10's. From what I can tell they would increase the RPM's by about 400 in 4th gear (auto). The way I am calculating this is 4.10-3.42/3.42 = .1988 --> Then Current RPM x 1.1988 = New RPM. Does this sound logical? I don't think a 400 rpm increase at, say, 75mph is too big of a deal. Any thoughts?

Your math is right on. But I would actually think you would notice the difference most in highway driving, with respect to mpg, since that is typically where the taller gearing reaps the most benefit. That's how the Z28s and SSs are getting 30mpg on the highway - with a .5 ratio 6th gear they're only turning around 1700 rpms at 75 mph.

**Rob Bell** · 12-11-2008, 12:57 PM

Re: question about gears

Regarding the highway driving, that does concern to me a little. I do mostly in-town driving but make regular long-distance trips. Usual mpg at 80mph is about 26mpg. That and I hear about increased engine noise from the higher RPM's. But I don't know if 400 RPM's will make that much of a difference. I have not seen too many posts, here and elsewhere, about v6 F-bods and 4.10's. But I've read quite a few posts on v6 mustangs and those who have them seem to love them, and the mpg difference does not seem too bad. It's tempting.

**cam98aro** · 12-11-2008, 02:48 PM

Re: question about gears

Originally posted by Rob Bell View Post

Regarding the highway driving, that does concern to me a little. I do mostly in-town driving but make regular long-distance trips. Usual mpg at 80mph is about 26mpg. That and I hear about increased engine noise from the higher RPM's. But I don't know if 400 RPM's will make that much of a difference. I have not seen too many posts, here and elsewhere, about v6 F-bods and 4.10's. But I've read quite a few posts on v6 mustangs and those who have them seem to love them, and the mpg difference does not seem too bad. It's tempting.

you prolly wont see too bad of a decrease

**ava1219** · 12-11-2008, 02:52 PM

Re: question about gears

would an hp tuner be able to tune for the gear changes? and are hp tuners easy to use?

**Smoke Panther** · 12-11-2008, 06:41 PM

Re: question about gears

Originally posted by Rob Bell View Post

Regarding the highway driving, that does concern to me a little. I do mostly in-town driving but make regular long-distance trips. Usual mpg at 80mph is about 26mpg.

you'd save some gas by just not driving 80 MPH everytime you're on the highway; wind resistance adds up quick. I picked up 2 MPG cruising at 65, as opposed to 75

That and I hear about increased engine noise from the higher RPM's. But I don't know if 400 RPM's will make that much of a difference.

I can't tell a 400 RPM difference in exhaust tone/volume, when driving normally

I have not seen too many posts, here and elsewhere, about v6 F-bods and 4.10's.

**EarlR** · 12-11-2008, 07:16 PM

Re: question about gears

Originally posted by Smoke Panther View Post

you'd save some gas by just not driving 80 MPH everytime you're on the highway; wind resistance adds up quick. I picked up 2 MPG cruising at 65, as opposed to 75

Yeah, but what fun would that be :D

Originally posted by Smoke Panther View Post

I can't tell a 400 RPM difference in exhaust tone/volume, when driving normally

I agree, and I would bet the road noise in our cars at 80 (or even 65) would negate any difference you might detect from the increased rpms. 400 rpms isn't huge, but I would be willing to bet you would see a 1-2 mpg difference from just that. One of the main reasons they put those tall gears in there from the factory is to get the mpg up into the acceptable range for the EPA.

**ava1219** · 12-11-2008, 07:40 PM

Re: question about gears

would an hp tuner be able to tune for the gear changes? and are hp tuners easy to use?

**EarlR** · 12-11-2008, 07:59 PM

Re: question about gears

Originally posted by ava1219 View Post

would an hp tuner be able to tune for the gear changes? and are hp tuners easy to use?

When you say "an hp tuner" are you referring to the HP Tuners software, or one of the handheld tuners like Hypertech (and others) offers? In both of those cases, yes, they will tune for gear changes, but I would consider the Hypertech tuner easy to use, while I believe the HP Tuners requires a little more knowledge (although I've never used it) and experience to use.

**ava1219** · 12-11-2008, 09:05 PM

Re: question about gears

whatever is easier, so the hypertech tuner is what you would suggest? can the hypertech tuner tune for everything? and how much does it cost? ty earl for you're help.

**ava1219** · 12-11-2008, 09:06 PM

Re: question about gears

and ty everyone else that replied.

**Rob Bell** · 12-11-2008, 11:16 PM

Re: question about gears

Smoke, thanks for the listing of posts. Post #'s 3 and 4 on the list were the ones I was most interested in. Like I stated before, my main concerns are mpg and noise.

EarlR, I bet you're right, the road noise is probably much more of a factor than an extra 400 RPMs of engine noise. So engine noise is probably a non-issue. Also, 80mph does suck up some gas. Keeping it at 75 does help.... plus then I don't have to worry about getting pulled over.

From what I have been reading on various sites, mpg doesn't drop that much. Only highway really seems to drop, and city tends to increase, so they can kind of cancel each other out.

I see that SLP Online has a set of 4.10's for $250, and the paddle kit for $175. The dealer estimated $700 for install labor. That seems awfully steep. I'll call around some, but I'm a little leery of taking it somewhere else, I don't want someone screwing up the install by not using the right tools to set backlash and all that. I've already had my PCM tuned by TSP so I can mail that back to them for a free adjustment for the speedo and such.

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