4.10 For Better Mid-Range?
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From: West Lafayette, IN
4.10 For Better Mid-Range? Hi Guys,
This is one of my first posts here, so "hi". <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
I've only had my SS a litte over a week, so I haven't really had the opportunity to get familiar with the LS1 yet (I had a V6 Camaro prior to the SS), but already I'm finding myself craving more mid-range power.
As I expected, the top-end is great, but I've been really surprised with how little pull there seems to be below 4,000 RPMs.
Such being the case, my question is this: What's the best mod I can do to get (or at least feel) more mid-range power and torque? I don't have the money for a cam (nor do I want to get that involved just yet), so I was thinking the Thunder Racing 4.10 Gear Package ( http://www.thunderracing.com/index.c...yid=1066#T1126 ) may be my best bet.
What do you all think? I don't foresee having the opportunity to buy "expensive" mods very often, so I'd like to go ahead and do the gears now if that would make the biggest difference.
Oh, and my car is a stock 99 SS.
Thanks In Advance,
Josh
<small>[ April 14, 2003, 02:52 PM: Message edited by: Josh ]</small>
This is one of my first posts here, so "hi". <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
I've only had my SS a litte over a week, so I haven't really had the opportunity to get familiar with the LS1 yet (I had a V6 Camaro prior to the SS), but already I'm finding myself craving more mid-range power.
As I expected, the top-end is great, but I've been really surprised with how little pull there seems to be below 4,000 RPMs.
Such being the case, my question is this: What's the best mod I can do to get (or at least feel) more mid-range power and torque? I don't have the money for a cam (nor do I want to get that involved just yet), so I was thinking the Thunder Racing 4.10 Gear Package ( http://www.thunderracing.com/index.c...yid=1066#T1126 ) may be my best bet.
What do you all think? I don't foresee having the opportunity to buy "expensive" mods very often, so I'd like to go ahead and do the gears now if that would make the biggest difference.
Oh, and my car is a stock 99 SS.
Thanks In Advance,
Josh
<small>[ April 14, 2003, 02:52 PM: Message edited by: Josh ]</small>
Re: 4.10 For Better Mid-Range? A good set of 4.10 gear will give you that "Umph" your looking for. But you will have even more traction problems on street tires, and will have to invest in one of a few different devices that will change your tuning for the new gears. Otherwise your speedo will be off, and you get an ABS and BRAKE warning lights.
My best advice to you is a good set of drag radials (BFG or Nitto)
Check out the free mods on LS1.com Too look at some ways to get more horsepower out of the car for next to nothing out of your wallet.
And finally, more involved mods, like gears, rearend cover with stud girdle, and custom programming.
Welcome to the wonderful of modding an LS1. I started out in 1998 with a brand new SS. I was happy if it ran high 12's. Now I am looking for some 10's this year. More addictive then Herione, and more expensive.
My best advice to you is a good set of drag radials (BFG or Nitto)
Check out the free mods on LS1.com Too look at some ways to get more horsepower out of the car for next to nothing out of your wallet.
And finally, more involved mods, like gears, rearend cover with stud girdle, and custom programming.
Welcome to the wonderful of modding an LS1. I started out in 1998 with a brand new SS. I was happy if it ran high 12's. Now I am looking for some 10's this year. More addictive then Herione, and more expensive.
Re: 4.10 For Better Mid-Range? putting traction aside for now, a lesson in car theory...
Engine TQ/HP gets mutiplied by the transmission and the rear end, and results in effective drivewheel HP/TQ - which is what actually moves the car. Numerically higher gearsets will always result in more effective power.
This is precisely why some weak engines and some big heavy cars are quite 'quick' - because of effective HP to the wheels after the multiplication. Look at the M5...its second gear is almost identical to our first gear, so through gearing, a heavier car that makes the 335 RWHP (yes, the 400 Hp M5 puts down 335) is actually faster off the line than our lighter fbodies - that have more low end torque.
So the old saying that torque is what moves you leaves one little bit out - gears. Effective torque is what moves you.
Unless you plan on trapping over 115 MPH anytime soon, get the gears.
BTW, I just bought the TR package (good deal IMO), but am still waiting for my cousin to install them. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_images/icons/tongue.gif" />
Engine TQ/HP gets mutiplied by the transmission and the rear end, and results in effective drivewheel HP/TQ - which is what actually moves the car. Numerically higher gearsets will always result in more effective power.
This is precisely why some weak engines and some big heavy cars are quite 'quick' - because of effective HP to the wheels after the multiplication. Look at the M5...its second gear is almost identical to our first gear, so through gearing, a heavier car that makes the 335 RWHP (yes, the 400 Hp M5 puts down 335) is actually faster off the line than our lighter fbodies - that have more low end torque.
So the old saying that torque is what moves you leaves one little bit out - gears. Effective torque is what moves you.
Unless you plan on trapping over 115 MPH anytime soon, get the gears.
BTW, I just bought the TR package (good deal IMO), but am still waiting for my cousin to install them. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_images/icons/tongue.gif" />
