Rear Pinion Gear

[GAHDOOSH]

So my friend spent the better part of the last hour bragging about how is mustang is way more tail happy than it was previously because he upgraded his "Rear Pinion Gear"

Is this an option for me?
Is it something I can install myself?
It is something that is cost effective?
Is it something that I should be doing at all?

Thanks for the advice!
GAHDOOSH

[xsurferx]

I believe he means he changed out the gearing in the rear end of the car. Yes it is an option, I have no idea how expensive it is for a V6, and if you want to get up to speed faster but lose some top end then yes go for it.

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by GAHDOOSH

So my friend spent the better part of the last hour bragging about how is mustang is way more tail happy than it was previously because he upgraded his "Rear Pinion Gear"

Is this an option for me?
Is it something I can install myself?
It is something that is cost effective?
Is it something that I should be doing at all?

Thanks for the advice!
GAHDOOSH

He swapped his rear end gears. The V6 manual can use the same gears as the SS so there are several options. 3.73 is a nice upgrade for the V6. It is not something you should try to do yourself. All done it will probably cost about $1200 for parts and labor.

[GAHDOOSH]

That's a big price for no hp gain. Is the dollar to performance increase ratio really worth it on a v6?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ChrisBlair]

In a nutshell, your rear gear ratio is a torque multiplier. It's just math. A higher numeric gear offers the tangible result of improved acceleration and introduction to your power band more quickly.

Back in the day you'd hear of drag cars with 4.11s, or 4.33s, etc, it really means a 4.11:1 ratio rear gear or a 4.33:1 ratio rear gear, etc

Originally Posted by GAHDOOSH

That's a big price for no hp gain. Is the dollar to performance increase ratio really worth it on a v6?

A rear gear swap is probably the single biggest bang for the buck you can get. Do not worship simply at the altar of peak bhp numbers.

Making your car lighter would have no hp gain correct? And yet there are performance gains there.

Personally, before I gained 1 bhp in my '12 SS I would prefer 50 lb/ft more torque. If I ordered two identical cars like yours from the factory, one with a 3.93:1 rear gear and one with a 3.31: 1 rear gear, the 3.93:1 rear gear equipped car is going to win in a race between the two down the quarter mile the overwhelming majority of the time.

[Evergreen6]

Originally Posted by GAHDOOSH

That's a big price for no hp gain. Is the dollar to performance increase ratio really worth it on a v6?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Going to a lower ratio (numerically higher) rear gear setup will give you some extra snap off the line. End result is you pull harder and quicker (traction permitting) from a start. In normal driving, you'll roll slower in 1st gear in traffic at idle, and all gears will feel shorter than they used to.

The downside is that your cruising RPM will increase and fuel mileage will be decreased overall.

[gpskinzhut]

The analogy I always use is a multispeed bicycle. Start off in a higher gear (this is equivalent to a numerically lower gear on a car). It's slower to get started but you'll have a higher top speed. Put it in low gear, much easier and faster to get going, but you'll top out quicker. No change in the power output, just how it's applied.

[JCunningham]

its one of those if you need to ask have a pro do it. the 3.91 GM AAM gears have been a drop in as far as iv seen from my own and on here but. I pulled my diff and alto gether i was in it for less then $700 to take my diff in and have the gears installed with a new pinion bearing and seals.

[maddoggyusa]

It's probably not a bad upgrade for the V6. The speedometer will be off unless done at the dealer. You could have it tuned for some extra power and they can retune Speedo also, but warranty might be voided.

Doesn't the 2LS auto have some oddball diff? I think that car you can't find gears for... But you have LT so I think you're good.

[Evergreen6]

Originally Posted by maddoggyusa

It's probably not a bad upgrade for the V6. The speedometer will be off unless done at the dealer. You could have it tuned for some extra power and they can retune Speedo also, but warranty might be voided.

Doesn't the 2LS auto have some oddball duff? I think that car you can't find gears for... But you have LT so I think you're good.

The 2LS... what I've been told is the carrier is different and none of the standard gear upgrades will actually fit. The whole carrier has to be replaced ($$$$)

In stock form, it has a 2.92:1 ratio.

[GAHDOOSH]

Yeah I imagine the highway drone will be pretty horrific. I have the NPP tho so I may create a wireless switch for the fuse box in the trunk and see what rpm it kicks in at and try to aim the gear ratio below the opening point.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GAHDOOSH]

Originally Posted by gpskinzhut

The analogy I always use is a multispeed bicycle. Start off in a higher gear (this is equivalent to a numerically lower gear on a car). It's slower to get started but you'll have a higher top speed. Put it in low gear, much easier and faster to get going, but you'll top out quicker. No change in the power output, just how it's applied.

Well put sir


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MYBADSS]

I had the 3.91 gears put in my SS L99. Total cost was $1400. All done by my Chevy dealer so original warranty is still good. It decreased my 0-60 time by 20%. It is an unbelievable change in how fast it is now. Best bang for your buck out there. The 3.91's aren't too excessive, and the drivability is still good.

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by GAHDOOSH

That's a big price for no hp gain. Is the dollar to performance increase ratio really worth it on a v6?

Originally Posted by ChrisBlair

In a nutshell, your rear gear ratio is a torque multiplier. It's just math. A higher numeric gear offers the tangible result of improved acceleration and introduction to your power band more quickly.

A rear gear swap is probably the single biggest bang for the buck you can get. Do not worship simply at the altar of peak bhp numbers.

This. Horsepower is simply a measurement of engine output, not actual performance. Line up a completely stock V6 Camaro and a stock V6 Camaro with 3.73 gears and even though they would show the same numbers on a dyno the car with the 3.73s would stomp the completely stock car. That is because it has a 15% gearing advantage resulting in an equivalent torque gain of 41 lb.-ft. of torque.