Headers and cam or headers and 4:10 gears?
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Headers and cam or headers and 4:10 gears? I have, thru the forum and looking at others cars taken bits from one and another car and came up with an exterior that I drool over everytime I look at it. Now it's time for performance mods. I don't want to start out to crazy so I have come to the 2 choices above. I already have a Halltech Trap. I was set with the cam and headers but then I had a lengthy conversation with a tuner on the east coast yesterday. He recommended the 4:10's instead of the cam. He has done this combo on many cars and the result has been a car that runs and always start's like stock and gains the TQ where most guy's that just run around on the street use it. I'm a first thru 3rd and shut it down driver. I do not do 160mph on the freeway, atleast not often. His point is that the stock tranny has 2 overdrives that are rarely used and the 4:10's gain gobbs of TQ down low where I am going to use it and with the 5th and 6th gears gas mileage is nearly unaffected making this a better FIRST mod than the cam. What are all your thoughts?
I live in the Detroit area and there are no good vette tuners around that I know of. This is the main reason for wanting to go with the gear first. Does anyone know of any in my area? From what I hear that tuning a cam in these cars can be difficult if they do not have alot of experience. And that our seasons change so rapidly that it may have to be tweaked for weather condition like summer to fall, or is this just not the case?
DROID
I live in the Detroit area and there are no good vette tuners around that I know of. This is the main reason for wanting to go with the gear first. Does anyone know of any in my area? From what I hear that tuning a cam in these cars can be difficult if they do not have alot of experience. And that our seasons change so rapidly that it may have to be tweaked for weather condition like summer to fall, or is this just not the case?
DROID
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From: sofla
This is an interesting dilemna...I think personally I'd have to do a cam, but again, thats my personal choice. I think this is gonna come down to what you really want. The points in favor of the gear swap are all good ones. The only downside I could see is ALOT of shifting around town.
I would rather do a properly matched cam setup to broaden the powerband, thus improving the low-end torque and top end power. This would provide the rush of improved low end acceleration and a wicked top end pull.
Good luck either way....
I would rather do a properly matched cam setup to broaden the powerband, thus improving the low-end torque and top end power. This would provide the rush of improved low end acceleration and a wicked top end pull.
Good luck either way....
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From: Elmhurst, IL (Chicago Suburb)
Originally Posted by droid
I do not think this is a redundant question that has been asked alot. Doesn't anyone have any thoughts to my dilema?
Thanks
DROID
Thanks
DROID
I have had 4.10s on a C5 Z06 and they ROCK, and given your uses for the car you will feel more set in the pants performance from the 4.10s and will not have to open up your engine. Doing headers, intake and 4.10s is perfect safe bolt on mods that will make your vette SCREAM without jeopardizing your warranty
Many guys with M6 trannys have done 4.10s and said this was the best mod they could to do and they ALL LOVE IT!! 
Later on when you can afford a cam throw one in and your done (except for maybe heads)!
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From: Elmhurst, IL (Chicago Suburb)
Originally Posted by David Gordon
4.10s are probably too much if you mod it and race at track. My 3.90s are about right.
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Originally Posted by MTI 427 C5 Roadster
I don't see that he says he has a Z06 or am I missing that. I know I mentioned that I had 4.10s in a C5 Z06 and yes, they are a hand full and traction with street tires was a JOKE but man it was a BLAST!!!
I do have a '03 Z06
DROID
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If your do not plan to add any power adders etc I would do the 4:10s and headers hand down (and a tire). The best seat of the pants/bang for the buck mod on the Vette would be the 4:10s. So take the headers and Gears for the win .
Dave
.Dave
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From: Western Burbs of Detroit
How about the 3.90's in my opinion. 4.10's make 1st and 2nd useless "no traction"
When the money is right go with the 3.73's and a cam. That would be a nice boost in acceleration, and a nice increase in power depending on the cam. Best of both worlds nice gain in acceleration, not much loss in gas mileage. Good luck on your decision.
When the money is right go with the 3.73's and a cam. That would be a nice boost in acceleration, and a nice increase in power depending on the cam. Best of both worlds nice gain in acceleration, not much loss in gas mileage. Good luck on your decision.
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From: Elmhurst, IL (Chicago Suburb)
Originally Posted by 99Fbody99
If your do not plan to add any power adders etc I would do the 4:10s and headers hand down (and a tire). The best seat of the pants/bang for the buck mod on the Vette would be the 4:10s. So take the headers and Gears for the win .
Dave
.Dave
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From: Elmhurst, IL (Chicago Suburb)
Originally Posted by 99Fbody99
If your do not plan to add any power adders etc I would do the 4:10s and headers hand down (and a tire). The best seat of the pants/bang for the buck mod on the Vette would be the 4:10s. So take the headers and Gears for the win .
Dave
.Dave
I agree 1000% percent and just get some good drag radials and the car will be a rocket ship 0 to 130 mph. That being said, when you can afford a cam the G5X4 or MS3 cam would be a perfect compliment to the 4.10 gears and would give you the potential for very low 11 sec time slips and even high 10s with perfect driving and traction and track conditions!!
I thought the Z06 tranny was geared as if 1st and 2nd gave the feel or equivalant of a 3:90 rear when the rear is only a 3:42????? I dont know how true that is but if that was the case I could not see installing something as big as a 4:10.
***This is more of a question on my part, rather than an answer.***
***This is more of a question on my part, rather than an answer.***
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From: Elmhurst, IL (Chicago Suburb)
Originally Posted by mikep2002
I thought the Z06 tranny was geared as if 1st and 2nd gave the feel or equivalant of a 3:90 rear when the rear is only a 3:42????? I dont know how true that is but if that was the case I could not see installing something as big as a 4:10.
***This is more of a question on my part, rather than an answer.***
***This is more of a question on my part, rather than an answer.***
After 3rd gear the M12 Z06 tranny acts like a normal C5 M6 tranny so you loose no top end vs a non-Z06 C5, but man, does that bitch accelerate hared out of the hole with drag radials!! Thread Starter
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I have decided to go with American Racing headers and the 4:10 gear. The input has been mixed for and against but I found a great tuner mechanic that is going to do the headers for $1500 installed and the gear for $750 installed plus $250 for a harden shaft and tune it for free.
DROID
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From: Western Burbs of Detroit
Originally Posted by MTI 427 C5 Roadster
You are right except it the first three gears that are geared lower in the M12 tranny and this makes a 4.10 gear act like 4.81 gear and it is simply bad azz as I have been there and done that!! After 3rd gear the M12 Z06 tranny acts like a normal C5 M6 tranny so you loose no top end vs a non-Z06 C5, but man, does that bitch accelerate hared out of the hole with drag radials!!
After 3rd gear the M12 Z06 tranny acts like a normal C5 M6 tranny so you loose no top end vs a non-Z06 C5, but man, does that bitch accelerate hared out of the hole with drag radials!! Sorry to contradict what you are saying but the only gear that the c5 and c5 zo6 have in common is 4th gear. Every other gear is shorter for better acceleration. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th are all chopped, go check it out. If I remember correctly the c5 in 5th is .75 and 6th is .50 and the c5 zo6 is something like .83 in 5th and .65 in 6th. Not sure on those ratios for 5th and 6th but should be close.
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From: Western Burbs of Detroit
Just found this, actual numbers for gear ratios mm6 VS m12
MM6 1st 2.66 M12 1st 2.97
2nd 1.78 2nd 2.07
3rd 1.30 3rd 1.43
4th 1.00 4th 1.00
5th .74 5th .84
6th .50 6th .56
Ok just wanted to put that out there. I was a little off in my original recollection, but this should straighten things out....only gear in common is 4th 1 to 1 ratio.....
MM6 1st 2.66 M12 1st 2.97
2nd 1.78 2nd 2.07
3rd 1.30 3rd 1.43
4th 1.00 4th 1.00
5th .74 5th .84
6th .50 6th .56
Ok just wanted to put that out there. I was a little off in my original recollection, but this should straighten things out....only gear in common is 4th 1 to 1 ratio.....
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From: Elmhurst, IL (Chicago Suburb)
Originally Posted by droid
I have decided to go with American Racing headers and the 4:10 gear. The input has been mixed for and against but I found a great tuner mechanic that is going to do the headers for $1500 installed and the gear for $750 installed plus $250 for a harden shaft and tune it for free.
DROID
DROID
Align C5,
Thanks for all that factual info and as the old saying goes we learn something new everyday!!