Would a different set of gears make a noticeable difference?

NatRT10 · Mar 24, 2004

After driving my '95 only a few hundred miles since I bought it, I'm already getting the feeling that it needs better acceleration. I honestly feel that my 2002 Z06 would've cleaned this cars clock. And I can't have that! I think a lot of it has to do with the 3.07 gears. You guys are the experts and I need advice on what ratio gear to choose. I don't even know Mopar gearing options. I've seen mention of 3.55's, but is there a better alternative? Something a little steeper for even better acceleration? Damn I'm really beginning to wish I would've waited and bought a Gen 2.

RedGTS · Mar 24, 2004

3.55's would make a very noticeable difference. Many people think gears are the best "bang for the buck" mod out there. I've heard of a few people running 3.73's, but 3.55's seem to be by far the most common alternative ratio. BTW, Roe's soon to be released s/c for the Gen. I's would make an even more noticeable difference.

Dr Roof · Mar 24, 2004

3.55's would make a very noticeable difference. Many people think gears are the best "bang for the buck" mod out there. I've heard of a few people running 3.73's, but 3.55's seem to be by far the most common alternative ratio. BTW, Roe's soon to be released s/c for the Gen. I's would make an even more noticeable difference.

what he said!

Call Jon B at www.partsrack.com he can give you the comparison and great deal!

ACELLR8 · Mar 24, 2004

355's would make a big differance in seat of the pants feeling as far as acceleration goes, I don't think it would be wise to go much steaper than that. If you are planning to do the Sean Rowe Super Charger I would keep the stock 3:07's.
I do believe his kit is available already and that he may be taking orders for it.
Pick up some headers, get a 3" exhaust, get rid of the cats and you should be pushing some where around 410 RWHP 480 RWTQ. This is what Lauri's (REDENUFF 93) car put down, with the same set up and nothing more. If you need a guy in the area (lebanon) he can do all your custom exhaust work and pretty cheap to, has done mine and Lauri's car, let me know. The Gen I's are big torque cars!! The stock exhausts on the Gen I's are the big power killers or restrictors.
As for the Gen II, I have been driving the 01 GTS and while it is noticebly quicker than my Gen I was before the total engine build, and heads / cam setup. To me it is just not as much fun!! Give me a call some time you can take it for a spin and see what you think of the Gen II vs your Gen I. The differance is so marginal (50 hp) and can be made up pretty easily. Your 02 Z06 probably would have whooped up on your stock Gen I, same power but more weight in the viper.
Ed

YouWish · Mar 24, 2004

3.55's would make a very noticeable difference. Many people think gears are the best "bang for the buck" mod out there. I've heard of a few people running 3.73's, but 3.55's seem to be by far the most common alternative ratio. BTW, Roe's soon to be released s/c for the Gen. I's would make an even more noticeable difference.

Click to expand...

what he said!

Call Jon B at www.partsrack.com he can give you the comparison and great deal!

Dr.Roof: Not to hi-jack the thread but I just bought some eradispeed rotors from John and he said you have gotten tons of compliments on them. Do you have any pictures? I am expecting mine in the next week or so. Thanks!

onerareviper · Mar 24, 2004

If you a HP '*****', forget about gears. Save your money for the Roe twin screw blower ($7,500). That will put you in the 600 RWHP ballpark.

NatRT10 · Mar 24, 2004

If you a HP '*****', forget about gears. Save your money for the Roe twin screw blower ($7,500). That will put you in the 600 RWHP ballpark.

I'm just concerned about reliability with a supercharger. I don't know how well a 29,000 mile Gen 1 engine can hold up under boost. I don't even know if the car had the head gaskets replaced with the newer ones. I wonder how I can find that info without crawling under the car and trying to look? God, the last thing I would need would be to have to pour money into it to get fixed.

XS TORQ · Mar 24, 2004

Dan Cragin at DC performance has a great deal on complete rear ends w/ your choice of gears. Check on this site in the "New Products and Suppliers" section, under "Viper Differentials".
You cannot go wrong w/ Dan Cragin or JonB at PartsRack.

From Dan's post:
Good used units (3.07) $750
Performance units (choice of ratios) $850
(exchange)

I have 3.54 in my Gen I, as well as full exhaust (419 HP), and it goes pretty good. I think you will find that almost everyone wants more HP after a while. I have been thinking about heads and cam, or Roe blower. Head gaskets are not an if, but most likely a "when". Have a dealership check your Vin # and they may be able to tell you if they have been replaced.

RX VIPER · Mar 24, 2004

On a naturally aspirated engine the 3:55's rock! I just sold mine and went back to the 3:07 with the Roe s/c. I love the s/c, but I miss the 3:55's.

Simms · Mar 24, 2004

Are 3.55's that much of a no-no with a Roe s/c? I don't care about going 190, I'd rather get to 150 quicker.

RedGTS · Mar 24, 2004

Are 3.55's that much of a no-no with a Roe s/c? I don't care about going 190, I'd rather get to 150 quicker.

No, not really. The conventional wisdom is that with that much torque you become traction limited, particularly in 1st, and the drag racers usually don't like them because they can cause the need for a shift into 5th before reaching the traps. Both these points have merit, but then again 1Tony has them and ran a 9.85 with them, by using a 28" tall slick (which reduces the gear ratio some). I also have them on my Roe blown car with 19" Pilots, and I do have significant traction issues in 1st and at times in 2nd. At speeds of 30 mph and above, however, I like them a lot better than stock and 5th is now a very useable gear. If you're not going to drag race much and either aren't worried about pulling holeshots from a stop on the street or are willing to run BFG drag radials or something sticky, they may be just what you're looking for.

Simms · Mar 24, 2004

Thanks RedGTS! Good points.

onerareviper · Mar 24, 2004

Yep. RedGTS is spot on...

If a blower is not your thing, then 100% do gears! You will love them! I recommend the 3.73's. A little bit steeper than the 3.55, but not too much. 4.10 would be the next step up, and 99% feel these are too steep. Therefore, 3.55 or 3.73's sounds like what the doctor ordered. Don't forget you will need to connect a speedo recalibrate box. Around another $100 give or take.

Do a search on 'gears' in the 'title only' and you will find tons of links and information.

scottgf · Mar 24, 2004

Hey NatRT10,
I have heard, as others have stated, the 355's are very big bang for the buck. I think I will be installing these on my 94 in the future.
BTW, How do you like your 350Z?...I am thinking of getting one, or maybe a WRX. I worked for Nissan dealers for over 20 yrs, but dont now, and havent been to test a new 350.
Cheers,

dancojax · Mar 24, 2004

took out a 3.73 after about 5 viperdays sessions - was too low (high?) and went back to stock.
3.73 was new, and has new seals - for sale.

FRANK · Mar 24, 2004

I'm just concerned about reliability with a supercharger. I don't know how well a 29,000 mile Gen 1 engine can hold up under boost. I don't even know if the car had the head gaskets replaced with the newer ones. I wonder how I can find that info without crawling under the car and trying to look? God, the last thing I would need would be to have to pour money into it to get fixed.

[/QUOTE]

So you don't want to crawl underneath to find out? Come on fella the most fun is working on these cars and getting involved. Crawl under there and check to see the tabs on the head gasket that stick out. If they look newer and are a black metal steel shim type, you have the new gaskets. If the gasket tab looks corroded or missing or flaky, you have the originals in there.

Daffy Duck Viper · Mar 24, 2004

I'm just concerned about reliability with a supercharger. I don't know how well a 29,000 mile Gen 1 engine can hold up under boost. I don't even know if the car had the head gaskets replaced with the newer ones. I wonder how I can find that info without crawling under the car and trying to look? God, the last thing I would need would be to have to pour money into it to get fixed.

Click to expand...

So you don't want to crawl underneath to find out? Come on fella the most fun is working on these cars and getting involved. Crawl under there and check to see the tabs on the head gasket that stick out. If they look newer and are a black metal steel shim type, you have the new gaskets. If the gasket tab looks corroded or missing or flaky, you have the originals in there.

Yeah! Get your ^$$ under there, boy! Heh-heh.

NatRT10 · Mar 25, 2004

So you don't want to crawl underneath to find out? Come on fella the most fun is working on these cars and getting involved. Crawl under there and check to see the tabs on the head gasket that stick out. If they look newer and are a black metal steel shim type, you have the new gaskets. If the gasket tab looks corroded or missing or flaky, you have the originals in there.

Yeah I know, but the car's all the way downstairs in the garage and then I'd have to jack it up, get out the jackstands...ooooh the thought makes me soo tir...zzzzz. Just kidding. I talked to Chuck Tator and he told me to do the same thing so I'll get off my butt and go down there and check tomorrow.

NatRT10 · Mar 25, 2004

Hey NatRT10,
BTW, How do you like your 350Z?...I am thinking of getting one, or maybe a WRX. I worked for Nissan dealers for over 20 yrs, but dont now, and havent been to test a new 350.
Cheers,

As a daily driver I love it. I test drove the WRX as well and almost bought one, but after I drove the 350z I never went back to the Subaru dealer. It's pretty quick for a V6. A little quicker than the regular WRX and it looks much better. But that of course is subjective.

joe117 · Mar 25, 2004

Getting back to your first post on this,
Your 2002 ZO6 and your gen1 Viper are very close in performance.
I don't think there is going to be enough difference so you could sit in your Viper and remember how fast your ZO6 was when you owned it.
There really cant be more than a few tenths between them.

I did go to the 3.55 gears, it was a good thing for drivability and 6th gear is now useable at a lower speed.

FE 065 · Mar 25, 2004

After driving my '95 only a few hundred miles since I bought it, I'm already getting the feeling that it needs better acceleration. I honestly feel that my 2002 Z06 would've cleaned this cars clock.

I thought my '94 RT/10 was a dog too (seat of the pants wise..), but it'd run high 12s stock. The acceleration etc is different than a small block. Kind of like comparing an 11sec Harely to an 11sec small block. One's all torque , the other is screaming it's head off.

JWVIPER · Mar 25, 2004

It is amazing how fast you get used to it. I guess that is why the last cruise I was at I think 8 of the 16 or so Vipers had SC's. BTW my 95 has just smoothies and high flow cats, always beat my neighbors Z06, he usually launchs better but 1-2 2-3 shifts Im gone... Tracked it once all sub 12.9 sec runs with the best 12.62. I need launch practice. WIll be changing headers and gears in due time.

Makara · Mar 25, 2004

Getting back to your first post on this,
Your 2002 ZO6 and your gen1 Viper are very close in performance.
I don't think there is going to be enough difference so you could sit in your Viper and remember how fast your ZO6 was when you owned it.
There really cant be more than a few tenths between them.

I did go to the 3.55 gears, it was a good thing for drivability and 6th gear is now useable at a lower speed.

When I still had my Gen I, I took it to the track and raced a few 2002 ZO6s. I didn't lose a single race to them. Maybe the drivers of the vettes sucked, I don't know. I definitly pull on the ZO6s harder with my Gen II but the Gen I still managed to pull out ahead.

SJT97GTS · Mar 25, 2004

I have 3.73's and love them! Some people prefer 3.55's. If the Viper isn't already fun enough to drive for you, get some 3.73's -- it gets better!

NatRT10 · Mar 25, 2004

I think I'm leaning toward 3.73's. I don't plan on taking the car to the track much, so shifting into 5th before going through the traps won't bother me at all. I really think that's what this car needs to make it 100% fun to drive. That and a new exhaust.

BYW, I'm sure I could take a lot of people driving their Z06. Most people don't know how to drive them the way they should be. I just meant that I'm sure I could turn a better time myself in my Z06.

NatRT10 · Mar 25, 2004

took out a 3.73 after about 5 viperdays sessions - was too low (high?) and went back to stock.
3.73 was new, and has new seals - for sale.

I just sent you an email. Thanks for posting!

joe117 · Mar 25, 2004

I think you will find that the 3.73 is a little too much. The 3.55 does the job. I have the sticky Kuhmos and with the 3.55 I still need to take care in first gear.

I never had a 3.73 and I've never driven one, I'm just basing this on the change to 3.55 from stock. 3.55 is enough.

And about the ZO6 comparison, I didn't say you couldn't beat them. I only said that there really isn't but a few tenths difference. You are not going to be able to say, "I remember the ZO6 I had 6 months ago was faster". Side by side you can tell, six months later, I don't think so.

sbkim · Mar 26, 2004

Who has best prices on 3.55?

NatRT10 · Mar 26, 2004

JonB sent me the write-up comparing 3.55's to 3.73's and I'm pretty much sold on the 3.55's. They seem like the perfect gear for what I'm looking for. This should solve a lot of my problem. Thanks for all the input fellas!

JonB · Mar 26, 2004

Who has best prices on 3.55?

Compare apples - apples. You get what you pay for, in your 80K car, with 500 lb-ft of TQ....

PartsRack can provide a 3:55 Ring-Pinion for $195. But only if you will sign a waiver, releasing us from liability when it fails. We dont recommend or carry it. Is that the 'best price' or just the 'lowest price' ?

But if you want hardened gears, further hardened w/ Cryogenic stabilization, then polished for less friction, wear, and whine, and include a complete rebuild service kit, half-shaft-diffy starps/bolts, bearings, and precalibrated speedo box........well THAT costs a few hundred more. (SRT-10 is smarter, save ~~$100...No speedo box needed!)

\We think that our complete kit is the BEST VALUE......Please call for more, like Nat did, thanks.

Would a different set of gears make a noticeable difference?

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