Question for you superchagedZq8

[Joe]

Hey whats up??? Well I see in your signature that you have 3:73's, right now my truck has 3:08's, but my 3:73's will be here tomarrow, anyway, my question is this,
What gears did you have before the swap, and how much of a difference did you notice??? Do you like them.
Thanxs tristen I appreciate the responce.
Nick

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

I had the 3.08s as well.

Difference. . . 1st gear is about worthless under hard acceleration, but overall the truck pulls a lot harder. Considering that going from 3.08s to 3.73s is jumping three gear sizes (3.08, 3.23, 3.42, 3.73), the result is immediately evident. Before, if I wanted to pass at more than a leisurely pace on the highway I would need to go into 4th gear -- now I don't need to. . .

Of course, my gas mileage SUCKS now. . . At 70 mph, I see around 2650 rpm in 5th gear. A bit high for fuel economy, but a very nice compliment for performance. Overall, I give the jump 2 definite thumbs up.

How's the Jammer doing for ya?

[Joe]

The jammer is doing good, Well my gears came in today, And I realized that I had forgot to order the install kit, so on top of that, I decided to beaf up the rear some more, and by an auborn posi locker as well. Now I have $900 invested in the rea end in 5 days. This hobby is killing me.

[XxInFaxX]

The jammer is doing good, Well my gears came in today, And I realized that I had forgot to order the install kit, so on top of that, I decided to beaf up the rear some more, and by an auborn posi locker as well. Now I have $900 invested in the rea end in 5 days. This hobby is killing me.


yaye for Griff's! :)

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

This hobby is killing me.
Preaching to the choir. . . Preaching to the choir.

Truck = $14,500 (was stickered for $21,900, but I'm good at working deals -- bought it new)
Mods = $12,000+ and still going. Just got my SSBC Turbo-slotted rotors and pads today. . . Now I just need to invest some TIME (which I don't have right now).

[xtreme canuck]

I had the 3.08s as well.

Difference. . . 1st gear is about worthless under hard acceleration, but overall the truck pulls a lot harder. Considering that going from 3.08s to 3.73s is jumping three gear sizes (3.08, 3.23, 3.42, 3.73), the result is immediately evident. Before, if I wanted to pass at more than a leisurely pace on the highway I would need to go into 4th gear -- now I don't need to. . .

Of course, my gas mileage SUCKS now. . . At 70 mph, I see around 2650 rpm in 5th gear. A bit high for fuel economy, but a very nice compliment for performance. Overall, I give the jump 2 definite thumbs up.

How's the Jammer doing for ya?
hey sup,
what about overall top speed , can you pull further in 5th with 373 than in forth with 308 ? i guess the question is do you get the best of both worlds... a better low end grunt but also have a strong fifth for long wot runs and top speed? nothing better than flying down the four lane surprising someone that wants to run you.

[slowzq8]

If you are running about a stock size tire, right now your truck should do about 120 in fourth and with the new gears it should do like 135 in fifth. So it will be geared a little higher in fifth than it is in fourth now. It will probably feel like quite a bit less power in 5th with 3.73s as compared to stock gears in fourth just because of the overdrive.

[LEADFOOT]

I know it doesn't exactly pertain to your initial question but I've got 3.42's stock and I am about to put some 4.10's in. Should be in a couple of weeks. I will post the out come. Also checking out a comp cam see here Comp cam (http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?Ntt=cca-56-450-8&Ntk=KeywordSearch&DDS=1&searchinresults=false&N=0&target=egnsearch.asp&x=44&y=12) and a tci torque converter see here tci converter (http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?Ntt=tci-242700&Ntk=KeywordSearch&DDS=1&searchinresults=false&N=0&target=egnsearch.asp) In the summit catalog there is Q&A section. A guy wrote asking what cam and torque converter could he use on his 1994 chevy blazer 4.3L V6. Summit replied with this set up. I'm going to call summit to see if it work on my blazer too.

[xtreme canuck]

If you are running about a stock size tire, right now your truck should do about 120 in fourth and with the new gears it should do like 135 in fifth. So it will be geared a little higher in fifth than it is in fourth now. It will probably feel like quite a bit less power in 5th with 3.73s as compared to stock gears in fourth just because of the overdrive.
i guess for the way i like to drive maybe i'll stick closer to the 308's.a truck that has a faster top end but takes all day to get there isn't the answer.
thanks man

[xtreme canuck]

I know it doesn't exactly pertain to your initial question but I've got 3.42's stock and I am about to put some 4.10's in. Should be in a couple of weeks. I will post the out come. Also checking out a comp cam see here Comp cam (http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?Ntt=cca-56-450-8&Ntk=KeywordSearch&DDS=1&searchinresults=false&N=0&target=egnsearch.asp&x=44&y=12) and a tci torque converter see here tci converter (http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?Ntt=tci-242700&Ntk=KeywordSearch&DDS=1&searchinresults=false&N=0&target=egnsearch.asp) In the summit catalog there is Q&A section. A guy wrote asking what cam and torque converter could he use on his 1994 chevy blazer 4.3L V6. Summit replied with this set up. I'm going to call summit to see if it work on my blazer too.
with that list of mods you should just break down and order the wynjammer, it doesn't seem too much more expensive for the gains you will get... of course i'm sure you will still want all of those too.

[Joe]

i guess for the way i like to drive maybe i'll stick closer to the 308's.a truck that has a faster top end but takes all day to get there isn't the answer.
thanks man

Thats what happens with the 3:08's, more top speed, less acceleration, With a numerically higher gear you will have Less top speed and more acceleration.
Which is what I wasnt. The truck moves really good now, execept for my 3rd gear, 3rd is a little sluggish compared to the rest, so in theory, the 3:73, will make my engine not work as hrad to accelerate faster.
Nick

[xtreme canuck]

Thats what happens with the 3:08's, more top speed, less acceleration, With a numerically higher gear you will have Less top speed and more acceleration.
Which is what I wasnt. The truck moves really good now, execept for my 3rd gear, 3rd is a little sluggish compared to the rest, so in theory, the 3:73, will make my engine not work as hrad to accelerate faster.
Nick
YEAH I WAS JUST HOPING THAT MAYBE 5TH COULD GIVE YOU ENOUGH POWER WITH THE LOWER GEARS TO GIVE YOU AN OVERALL SPEED INCREASE BUT I GUESS IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T RUN WITH THE HIGHER GEARS IN 4TH.
THANKS

[ZR1-S10]

Well I'm going with a set of 3.73s. They may lower top speed in favor of acceleration but I'll still pass the 1/4 mile before I top out. What more speed do you need then that?

[xtreme canuck]

Well I'm going with a set of 3.73s. They may lower top speed in favor of acceleration but I'll still pass the 1/4 mile before I top out. What more speed do you need then that?
i guess its all in the way you like to drive...

[slowzq8]

xtreme, i don't quite get your arguement. Why would you ever need to do more than 135 in an s-10. Even with 3.73s you will barely have enough power for that.

[LoRyder]

I'm stuck with the 3.08's as well. I'll probably upgrade in the future, but not any time real soon! I've got enough on the go this spring/summer to keep me busy and in the poor house!

[xtreme canuck]

xtreme, i don't quite get your arguement. Why would you ever need to do more than 135 in an s-10. Even with 3.73s you will barely have enough power for that.
what argument? i'm just asking for opinions...i love running fast , i ran a buddy of mine the other night and 125 mph i was pulling on him. it was great . with the chassis i have it handles the speed fine . i was just asking someones opinion that had the 373's and what they worked like... i'm not arguing with anybody. there is more people starting to run the 1/4 around here and if i do that a few times i might decide to switch gears myself.

[slowzq8]

I didnt mean arguement in a bad way. I just meant that you wanted to stay with 308s. I higher numerical gear will always give you a mechanical advantage, and like I said the 3.73s should be good to like 135 at 5000rpm in 5th. Plus they should get you there faster. Were you doing 125 in fourth? If I remeber right that isn't possible with the 308s. Either way the 3.73s would be better still I think. Just my opinion though. I mean I love speed as much as the next guy, but over 130 is just asking for trouble. I actually want to do a T56 with 4.10s evenutually.

[ZR1-S10]

What's our areo limit? Sooner or later drag will stop us with any gear combo.

[LEADFOOT]

with that list of mods you should just break down and order the wynjammer, it doesn't seem too much more expensive for the gains you will get... of course i'm sure you will still want all of those too.
I want a wynjammer, but right now I can't afford it. Cam and converter are gonna be roughly $600 and some change.

Question, when a cam of any size bigger is installed, does the idle need to be adjusted? And do the valve springs need to be changed?

[slowzq8]

I'm not sure about the idle, prolly depends a lot on the cam. Nobody ever talks about doing it tho. As for the springs, I know that you don't want to go over .470 lift with out cutting the guides down, but I don't know if that is with a stock spring. A lot of aftermarket springs arent a large enough inner diameter to fit down and seat right on the head.

[slowzq8]

As for aero, I think that it is safe to think that there is no real chance of a truck without heavy modifications going over about 140. Just kinda pullin that number outta my ass, but it seems reasonable. I mean new vettes are a lot more aerodynamic and have 500 hp and they say those will do around 190 I think.

[Maximus]

If you plan on installing a bigger cam with that kinda lift "500 for the Comp cam" I would recommend lower gears with a converter with a higher stall.Look at the cam recommendations.Most suggestions of your more aggressive cams will state you need to use a lower gear.If you have a 5 speed I would go 3.73's and if your a auto I would go 4.10's.I went from 3.42's to 3.73's and it made a very noticeable improvement.It was like they should have been there the whole time.They keep the RPM's in the sweet spot when shifting up with less acceleration loss.I also rarely need to drop out of overdrive to pass or to climb a decent hill.I really wish I would have went with 4.10's instead.I have a whole rear with 4.10's I just have not installed yet because of damn gas prices.And to be honest a cam with 500 lift is overkill bro.Anything with more than 470 of lift is a waste.Just my 2 cents on the matter.

[xtreme canuck]

I didnt mean arguement in a bad way. I just meant that you wanted to stay with 308s. I higher numerical gear will always give you a mechanical advantage, and like I said the 3.73s should be good to like 135 at 5000rpm in 5th. Plus they should get you there faster. Were you doing 125 in fourth? If I remeber right that isn't possible with the 308s. Either way the 3.73s would be better still I think. Just my opinion though. I mean I love speed as much as the next guy, but over 130 is just asking for trouble. I actually want to do a T56 with 4.10s evenutually.
it wouldn't do it until i put the wynjammer on but my speedometer won't read past 180 km/h ,my friends car was at 200(125 mph) and i was pulling away in 4th.i was surprised , i really didn't think it would. the jammer extended my rpm range quit a bit ...instead of falling off at 4700rpm it pulls good until 5200. i think i'll give the 3.73s a try later this year.

[xtreme canuck]

so next question ... how hard are the gears to install ? my brother had a set installed and has a whine to it. it is a tempermental job though isn't it? i have never had one a part.

[Sparky2263]

It's not that it's "hard". But replacing the ring and pinion involves proper measurements. First is pinion depth. Pinion depth gauge takes care of that. Out of 50-100 mechanics I know only one other has one (besides myself). 'bout $325 for a new one. Second is pinion pre-load. This is measured with a 0-50 in. lbs. beam style torque wrench. 'bout $50. Then you install the carrier with shims (you have a large assortment, right?) measure carrier pre-load and backlash with a dial indicator. Then you run a pattern check. Pattern not quite right? Then you fall back on the experience of having done well over 100 installs.

Nothing to it. ;)

Now, can it be done w/o any specialized tools,equipment? Yep, but then again, you better have done plenty.

I charge my fellow racers $150 to do most GM rears. They seem eager to get it done at that price.

[Joe]

dont forget about the pinion bearing, I have a special tool to remove the pressed on bearing when trying to use the right crush sleeve.
Nick

[xtreme canuck]

well i enjoy working on my truck but this is one area where once it is done its done...and it won't have to be done again. maybe i'll see if someone around here is used to working on the gears. the last guy that was did a poor job on my brothers and didn't even replace the crush sleeve. i have a buddy that has a book he is going to let me borrow and he said he would give me a hand. at least if i research it i will know the questions and proceedures to ask the mechanic about.
thanks for the info guys

[Sparky2263]

didn't even replace the crush sleeve.

Your brother REALLY needs to get his diff. set up properly. Short gear life is gonna cost more.

[Sparky2263]

dont forget about the pinion bearing, I have a special tool to remove the pressed on bearing when trying to use the right crush sleeve.
Nick

Yup. It's called a bearing press. ;)

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

My 3.73s pulls harder in 5th gear than the 3.08s did in 4th gear. Overall, the truck pulls a lot harder. Another reason is that with numerically higher gears the engine revs higher faster -- and since the S/C is rpm-dictated, you're getting more boost sooner, which is always good.

Going from the stock 3.08s to 3.73s is a good choice, in my opinion. Maybe a lower top end, but 1) most of the racing people do won't involve an extremely high top-end, and 2) (although I'm NOT preaching) going to the truck's top end is dangerous. . .

[xtreme canuck]

My 3.73s pulls harder in 5th gear than the 3.08s did in 4th gear. Overall, the truck pulls a lot harder. Another reason is that with numerically higher gears the engine revs higher faster -- and since the S/C is rpm-dictated, you're getting more boost sooner, which is always good.

Going from the stock 3.08s to 3.73s is a good choice, in my opinion. Maybe a lower top end, but 1) most of the racing people do won't involve an extremely high top-end, and 2) (although I'm NOT preaching) going to the truck's top end is dangerous. . .
thanks for the info. i have been informed that my play money has just about been depleted.. but i think i can slide this by. as for top speed you are definitly right . thanks again