Gear change - reporting on it

[phiebert]

Just got my car back a couple days ago from having the 3.07's swamped to 3.55's. It's a nice change. I have no complaints at all. The car is more drivable if you ask me since it is in the highest torque range more often and at better speeds. You don't get caught flat-footed cruising at 1800 rpm and having a long gear to pull through. I actually use 6th gear now once in a while. I rarely have an opportunity to go above 140 mph but I'm curious what my top end is now. I've had the car up to 177 mph with the old gears. I understand that top speed was realized in 5th gear before, now is it 6th? I'm curious if anyone has the stats on the various speeds at various rpms in various gears and what the differences are between the 3.07 and the 3.55. Please post them if you have them.

By the way, I got the gears from Partsrack and as always was pleased dealing with Jon and everything arrived together and on time. I had a local gear shop put them in and they had no problems at all with them. They had done Dana rear ends on other cars before and said the Viper was no different. So for those of you wondering whether you should do it, I'd say this:

1. The change wasn't as radical as I expected. But then I didn't find NOS radical either!
2. The car is more drivable although you have to shift more often. You'll find yourself in 3rd more often then 2nd in residential areas but you'll find the shifting points feel more natural. At least that was my take.
3. I expect on the drag strip it may mean I have to shift one more time or at least earlier, but I suspect I might be in a better range at the finish line and assuming I don't mis shift, I should be in better shape.
4. It feels like adding about 50 HP because of seat of the pants pull.
5. Under a $1000 all in (parts and labor) and worth it if you like a little more control and pull.

 

[JimDavis MT 97GTS 650R]

Patrick, The gear/speed chart can be found at www.orbitdevelopment.com/viper/gears.asp Just change the differential ratio to your specs and select "manual" then "show gear chart". Have FUN!

 

[phiebert]

Jim, Thanks for the chart, very helpful.

Rascal, the gears are standard Dana Supers. I'm not a gear head but everyone I took the car to when I was shopping around said it was no problem. Except one place that looked at the car and said 'Oh no, we don't touch stuff that expensive in case we do something wrong!' Of course I wouldn't take to a place that went in thinking they would screw it up.

But the place I took it to does a lot of drag strip cars and had changed out rear ends all the time. They took about six hours to do the gears and then I had to do the speedo calibrator after that. It cost me $500 CDN (about 220 pounds) and it seems really solid. People that are afraid of it just look at the Viper and assume it will be different than some other car.

 

[jimandela]

old rascal,
I FEEL your pain!!!
I want the 3.55 gears.
I got a local guy quote of $1,000 for labor!!!
so jon came up with the ship it out to California special.
What a deal around $800; done right !! Awesome!!
I thought finally I can get it done.

WRONG... my vipertech told the dealership my car would sit in the shop for 1 week while the rearend was shipped and he would do other mods, brake pads, wires,etc.
they said no way!!!
car had to go. they did not want to be responsible.
So then I would have to have it flatbed to and from my garage. (more chance for dents or scratches)
To much HEADACHE!!

So if I ever move to town with guys that can swap them in 6hrs.
at a reasonable price. I will get it done.
by reasonable I figured $500 labor $500 parts= good mod.
but $1,000 labor no way!


good luck finding someone... it just didn't work in my area(buffalo NY)

JIM

 

[phiebert]

Jim, why don't you just take it to a transmission shop (especially one that is familiar with Dana rear ends)? I had a few quotes and all were $500 CDN (around $300 US) in labor. That's what they charged me when it was done.

Vipertech, Schmipertech. Vipers have pistons, cylinders, manifolds, gears, etc. just like any other car. Viper owners waste so much money being over charged for work by supposed specialists. I'll bet the guys that changed the rear end on my Viper have done 100 times as many Dana rear ends as any Viper tech, so I would call them more qualified than someone that passed a test but has hardly any, if any, real life experience on the gear swap.

 

[jimandela]

i guess i can try local tranmission shops.
i was shooting for the partsrack special. shipping it.
but cant get it pulled out and put in without hassle.

so if i can find a local transmission shop that will do it.
in 6 hrs or so.maybe?

i guess i will start looking again. but it is tough. you were very lucky. most places i called told me no when i said what kind of car. and that corvette shop that does them all time want $1k and 2 days.

so search continues.. the other option dont ship keep looking for local shop to just do parts.
wish i lived near your local shop $300 and 6 hrs is

thanks
JIM

 

[phiebert]

Jim, you're welcome to come and visit and get your rear end work done while you're here! It's a bit of a drive from New York to Vancouver Island though!

 

[jimandela]

Roadtrip!!

i wish!!

i dont mind a roadtrip that is say within 6hrs
with a 1 day turnaround.. but no one fits that plan.
everyone i talk to wants at least 2 days and big bucks.
That is why i say you hit the lotto on your guy!!!

have a good one
JIM

 

[REDSLED]

Speaking of gear swaps....I just got 3.55's installed two weeks ago. I was charged $395.00 labor plus $45.00 for oil. I dropped off the car at 9AM and picked it up at 3PM. So the car was gone for 6 hours. Figure 1 hour for lunch so the install should be 5-6 hours. If your viper is stock and you wont be modifying too heavily (600 Hp+) and 1/4 mile times aren't an issue you might even consider 3.73's. Although the 3.55's are great SOTP feel I might go with 3.73's on the GTS I will be purchasing very soon. Food for thought