MannyZ28

iTrader: (1)

Well....it's almost summer and the mod bug is biting me again. After my initial bout of adding a cam (TR224), headers, LS6 intake, ported the TB, tuning, LCA's, SFCs and adjustable body mounted torque arm, just to name the major mods, I am now thinking of putting gears in the car. It's a 98 6 speed with stock 10 bolt. I just recently regained this thing called "traction" when I put a set of 315/35/17 BFG KD on the back of the car. Since it's cammed, it feels a little sluggish off the line and I have been reading about how people rave what a big difference gears will make.

So here's what you need to know about my driving style:

1. Usually baby the car, never really rev much past 5k rpm
2. Never ever seen the track (bought the car brand new in 98)
3. Reason for gears is to give it some more grunt off the line
4. Currently car has very good traction off the line due to tires and suspension mods. Hooks like crazy with the current 375 rwhp and 367 rwtq.

Main questions:

If I go with the Motive gears that, for example, Thunder Racing sells in a gear change kit for 400 bucks including the rear end cover, fluids, gears, etc.... can I really just do a straight gear swap by just re-using the stock shims?

Since the car is cammed, is a 4.10 or a 3.73 a better choice?

My car is 98, does it have a 2 or 3 series carrier? Can that be identified by any of the option codes?

Am I crazy for putting 4.10s in a stock 10 bolt of a cammed car with traction enhancing suspension mods and big sticky tires? Like I said, no track time for this car, just a weekend warrior in search for more get up and go off the line.

Oh, last thing to mention. My car came with 235/55/16 tires and a steel driveshaft and a 117 mph speed limiter, will that help to identify what series carrier it has? Do I have a Torsen or a Zexel rear end, which is better? And obviously, the car is a Z28, not a SS.

Thanks for any input!

Manny

bene

iTrader: (16)

You have LS1 M6=GM 3.42 rear which is a 3 series carrier.

00BlueTA

iTrader: (8)

I am a firm believer in 4.10 in a camed car, but for what you are useing it for I might consider 3.73. I did alot of track time and street time and would use the 4.10. With 4.10 there will be alot more shifting involved and may be annoying, but you will launch way harder and that it is worth it to me. And 3.73 is not much different then 3.42 and I would hate to wast the money on something you dont feel the difference in.

to-fst-4u

iTrader: (35)

you will probably have to shim it to get the correct backlash.

MannyZ28

iTrader: (1)

Yeah...I guess better safe than sorry. I don't mind all the shifting, I think it's fun. I only drive it on weekends, maybe 30 miles a week, that's all, so it won't get annoying to me.

hazard2k

iTrader: (10)

Just a sidenote, I had 4.10'ss in my car until i broke the ring gear. I had a spare 3.73 set laying around that i installed, and noticed a big difference stepping down gears. I would highly suggest getting the 4.10's! That are much more fun!

staringback05

iTrader: (8)

its not a good idea to use some of the stock internal rear end parts over again when you change gears.....i went with motive 3.73s and a install kit from tsp....reusing parts that are older and strained with newer parts just overall isnt a good idea

MannyZ28

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, I got the deluxe kit from thunder racing and changed out everything, also installed the TA cover with stud kit....the works.

We got the gears set up properly and I broke them in over the weekend. So far all is good. No whining, no other strange noises...and yeah...biiiig difference!

Love them so far!

Manny

00BlueTA

iTrader: (8)

I take it you went with the 4.10's then

Gauge

iTrader: (3)

4.10's or nothin'!

MannyZ28

iTrader: (1)

Yep...4.10s ???!

I know a lot more about gears now then when I posted this thread... Can't believe it wasn't obvious to me what might be the deciding clue as to what a 2 or 3 series carrier is! Duh! And I did have a Auburn...not sure how I came up with Zexel as an alternate choice to the Torsen.

I got the GM gears made by AAM.

turbotko

You will most likely have to re-shim the pinion to get the depth right. I just did motive 3.73's and pulled that damn pinion out 15 times to get the pinion depth just right.....the stock shim wasn't even close.

One thing to remember about 4.10's, the pinion on the 4.10's is tiny and weak and you're also adding more torque multiplication with 4.10's. It's a double edged sword that usually ends in broken pinion/ring gear teeth.

MannyZ28

iTrader: (1)

For me the stock shim was pretty much right on the money. And yeah...I saw the size comparison on the pinion between the 2.73, 3.42, and 4.10...quite substantial if I may say so myself.

But then again, I baby the car for the most time, I never take it to the track and I am trying to treat the rear end as if it were made of glass. The main reason behind doing it though was better driveability due to the loss of low end torque after headers and cam. So far I am very happy with it.

joselt1

for a 98 camaro m6 3 series carrier , can you use the same stock shims if puting motive gear 4.10s ?

therabidweasel

iTrader: (5)

Necrothread

No one can answer this for you, you cannot know until you set it up, but you should not plan on being able to use the old pinion shim...at least not if you want it right/quiet...doesn't matter what brand of gear you use, we're talking 0.002" increments, thats half the thickness of a hair.

tbojbob

You MIGHT be able to re-use your stock shims, measure them, try them and go from there.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Never works out that way in my experience. It would be nice if it did though. I mean you could install them that way, and the car would drive. But for how long and how quietly is anyone's guess.