I have been researching gears for my 95 Lt1 Formula. I have a stock rearend and want to upgrade to 4.10 or 4.11, but wanted to see what you guys thought about the two choices. I "heard" that 4.11 is a better choice because they are a bit stronger? GM motive seems to be a favorite with many board members but I will look into other brands if anyone suggests so. And finally where have you guys found the best price and them in stock? Thanks for the help guys! -Matt

 

4.10 ratio = 41 teeth ring/10 teeth pinion
4.11 ratio = 37 teeth ring/9 teeth pinion
Given the same size ring/pinion, the set with less number of teeth should be stronger, because the teeth are thicker. Now since you're talking about the stock rear with the 7.625" ring gear, there's not much you're going to do to make it stronger. Yeah, there are articles like these.... http://www.highperformancepontiac.co...ferential.html
http://www.highperformancepontiac.co...ild/index.html
.....and threads on message boards such as this one.....
http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486663
.....that suggest you can improve the strength of the 7.5"/7.625" 10 bolt, and to some extent, you can. However, no matter how much you weld the axle tubes, brace the housing, replace stock axles, etc.....the smaller gear set and differential just will not sustain the shock loads of an M6 for any extended amount of time.
That's why I've only been to the drag strip with my car once in the past 9 years.....and that was on street tires and the stock slipping clutch, which probably saved the rear.....and I never ever-ever-ever pop the clutch. That's why I'm upgrading to a 9" rear.....so I can drive my car like it's meant to be driven once in awhile without seeing the mushroom cloud that was my 10 bolt rear develop just behind me.

 

Thanks for the heads up supernaturalta... from what I have seen/heard 4.11 seems like the best route to go. Now which brand AAM Gm, Motive, richmond is another question, along with best price and availability of where I can get them at the current time. Also I need to know if I need anything else besides the gears like an "install Kit" and etc?

 

bump anyone???

 

I've had 3.42, 3.73, 4.10 and 4.56 gears in a 10 bolt, I broke all of them except the 3.42's. The ring gears are just weak, you'll break teeth off the pinion or ring gear and that's all she wrote, with an M6 like I have it isn't even worth it to put money into a 10 bolt.

Save money, bite the bullet and get a 9" or S60.