SoCal Rebell
Enthusiast
When I put the 3.54 gear in the Seat Of The Pants feel was much better but no gain in HP. With the full exhaust I gained a dyno certified 31 RWHP and 41 RWTQ in my 2000.
gear change versus headers and exhaust?
- Thread starter SoCal Rebell
- Start date
Paul Hawker
Enthusiast
Do them both... Gears make a huge difference in feel and when augmented with free flowing exhaust the car really comes alive.
If you are interested in gears from Unitrax I have a discount coupon...e-mail me directly.
If you are interested in gears from Unitrax I have a discount coupon...e-mail me directly.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by steelgts:
please advise on what is more bang for the buck as far as track times. should i spend 3-4k on headers and exhaust or will gears show me a better time improvement at the track...... How much is a gear change? and will removing the cats
do anything for me? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thats a bunch of questions !
[ HP / Dollar the best is smoothe tubes + K+Ns.]
Bang-4-Buck, I have always said that NOTHING takes the place of a rear gear swap for seat-of-pants feel. It "feels" like a 15% boost in HP, is warranty-friendly. About $1000-$1100 installed. Parts under $700.......
You said "Track" .... {vs "STRIP"}.......You will SQUIRT off corners faster, and go faster down the short-mid length straightaways. [..needing brake upgrades ]
Adding 35-45 HP w/a header / cat back, plus 12 hours labor, is a great upgrade as well...... but B4B its a rear gear swap. The added HP would help STRIP performance more than track performance, vs a rear gear......but costs thou$and$ more!
Removing the cats MAY cause you runability/idle surge problems, probably gain only 5-7 HP {hi-flows would do that} and make the car MUCH louder and stinky......but run cooler sidesills.
Please allow me to bid for your upgrades? THANKS !
please advise on what is more bang for the buck as far as track times. should i spend 3-4k on headers and exhaust or will gears show me a better time improvement at the track...... How much is a gear change? and will removing the cats
do anything for me? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thats a bunch of questions !
[ HP / Dollar the best is smoothe tubes + K+Ns.]
Bang-4-Buck, I have always said that NOTHING takes the place of a rear gear swap for seat-of-pants feel. It "feels" like a 15% boost in HP, is warranty-friendly. About $1000-$1100 installed. Parts under $700.......
You said "Track" .... {vs "STRIP"}.......You will SQUIRT off corners faster, and go faster down the short-mid length straightaways. [..needing brake upgrades ]
Adding 35-45 HP w/a header / cat back, plus 12 hours labor, is a great upgrade as well...... but B4B its a rear gear swap. The added HP would help STRIP performance more than track performance, vs a rear gear......but costs thou$and$ more!
Removing the cats MAY cause you runability/idle surge problems, probably gain only 5-7 HP {hi-flows would do that} and make the car MUCH louder and stinky......but run cooler sidesills.
Please allow me to bid for your upgrades? THANKS !
Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder
Enthusiast
Up Grade return on investment:
First Upgrade: High Performance driving programs will provide Viper drivers the opportunity to learn how to use the power and handling features of the Viper. Skip Barber offers excellent programs and discounts programs to VCA members. The 2 day high performance driving school is discounted 25% all other programs are discounted 10%.
Mechanical Upgrades:
If you are considering open track use the first upgrade is to the brakes. Higher temp. Brake fluid and Rotor cooling with Porsche deflectors (96-2002).
K&N filters
Exhaust system Headers; high flow carts and cat back. (CDI, Balenger, SVSi, Edelbrock, Borla, HMS)
I changed the stock ratio on my 97GTS, which had Edelbrock Headers and a Borla Cat back, to 3:54’s. In my experience gear change was a waste of money. The lower ratio means more shifting on a road course and autocross which makes car balance more work with no gain.
Call the Parts Rack for pricing, for West Coast installation call Dan Cragin, Ted May, Rich Bontempi, or Apex.
First Upgrade: High Performance driving programs will provide Viper drivers the opportunity to learn how to use the power and handling features of the Viper. Skip Barber offers excellent programs and discounts programs to VCA members. The 2 day high performance driving school is discounted 25% all other programs are discounted 10%.
Mechanical Upgrades:
If you are considering open track use the first upgrade is to the brakes. Higher temp. Brake fluid and Rotor cooling with Porsche deflectors (96-2002).
K&N filters
Exhaust system Headers; high flow carts and cat back. (CDI, Balenger, SVSi, Edelbrock, Borla, HMS)
I changed the stock ratio on my 97GTS, which had Edelbrock Headers and a Borla Cat back, to 3:54’s. In my experience gear change was a waste of money. The lower ratio means more shifting on a road course and autocross which makes car balance more work with no gain.
Call the Parts Rack for pricing, for West Coast installation call Dan Cragin, Ted May, Rich Bontempi, or Apex.
I would agree with Fred Kinder about the gears, as on a road course virtually everyone in Viper Days has stayed or switched back to 3.07 gears. With the ton of torque, less shifting means faster times. You may not have the same " seat of the pants " feel, but times don't lie. An extra downshift and upshift takes time and unsettles the chassis. Before you go with alot of mods , talk to some fellow racers about your aspirations. If you decide to run in Viper Days, along with other track events, you may want to pursue what changes put you in the class you desire, and if too many alterations, place you where you don't want to be. Amazingly, one item was not discussed, that will make you alot faster - tires. I firmly believe that Fred was on the right track when he suggested brakes first, and then you can go from there. Alot of folks have done nothing more than a catback ( Corsa, Borla, Snake-Oyl ) , K&N's , smooth tubes, aluminum flywheel, and brake upgrades ( StopTech, BrakeMan, etc. ). Talk to alot of folks before you jump and make sure you have changes that suit your goals. Enjoy, and driving schools will be a great addition with your added power.
