Just wondering what kind of luck you all have had with different gear ratios. I think the 3.07 is a little too much top end speed for what I do. not planning on too many 180 mph cruises. I was thinking a 3.73 and was wondering what kind of highway speed that will get me. I have used that gear in other cars and loved it but wasn't sure how the v10 would like that. Any suggestions on a more off the line gear. Thanks
Gear ratios
- Thread starter dru282
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Greg 99ACR Red and Silver
Enthusiast
3:73 is too much gear. 3:45/3:55 gears place you squarely in 4th gear at the end of the quarter mile and are right sized for the car.
I have 3:45s while many owners use 3:55s. The new Gen 5 uses 3:55 gears and their rpm effectiveness is higher than Gen 2 cars. Gen 2s run out of breath at 5500 rpm.
3:07s and the 6th gear ratio were mostly for fuel economy and that is why many folks drive around in 4th or 5th around town. Hope that helps.
I have 3:45s while many owners use 3:55s. The new Gen 5 uses 3:55 gears and their rpm effectiveness is higher than Gen 2 cars. Gen 2s run out of breath at 5500 rpm.
3:07s and the 6th gear ratio were mostly for fuel economy and that is why many folks drive around in 4th or 5th around town. Hope that helps.
slitherv10
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I hve the 3:55's on mine and find it very effective for around town. On the highway you would need fifth gear over 80 miles and hour. i do anyway.Where as on my stock 3:07 car i can stay in 4th until around 80miles/hr
72hemi
Enthusiast
I have 3.55's in mine and absolutely love them. Great gear for around town and 6th is actually usable below 80 mph.
Solid Red 98
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I just got 3:54's put on my car, and it really changes the feel of the car, and puts it on par with other streetables in terms of shifting. I have 19" wheels on the rear, so the actual ratio is a tad taller than stock. You do lose some of that, "warp factor" feel around town, and I always felt like I was driving at stall speed off the freeway. Now I can really enjoy my exhaust knowing that I am not grossly speeding. I am still breaking it in, though, and I haven't really put my foot in it yet, we'll see. Fun so far.....
SNKBYT
Enthusiast
I have 3.73s in a Gen 2. They are great for an unmodded or slightly modded car, (under 525hp or approx 475rwhp). Top of 4th in the 1/4 mile. A great
SOP seat of the pants feel. 6th gear is usable at highway speeds vs 5th. I ran an 11.7 with these gears on street tires. P-zeros.
if you going to mod above 525-550 with a S/C or Turbo you will want to go with 3:55 or less. 3:45 if they are still available or 3;31s. More HP =less gear. I have tried 3;45, and 3:55 in a gen -2. My opinion and experience.
SOP seat of the pants feel. 6th gear is usable at highway speeds vs 5th. I ran an 11.7 with these gears on street tires. P-zeros.
if you going to mod above 525-550 with a S/C or Turbo you will want to go with 3:55 or less. 3:45 if they are still available or 3;31s. More HP =less gear. I have tried 3;45, and 3:55 in a gen -2. My opinion and experience.
JAY
Enthusiast
Good point SNKBYT , what if your running more Horsepower , and 7500 Redline . Thanks 
dave6666
Enthusiast
I have 3.73's and a blower. 20's make for an effective ratio of 3.45. Love it.
HobokenViper
Enthusiast
I have 3.73 in my Gen IV and have to admit that it's too much for me. I get about 11 mpg average with it, and it gets unruly and out of control far too easy. Kinda wish I had 3.55 or stock 3.07 back on it as it would suit the car better and make it more enjoyable to me. Some may disagree with me, but I think this is too high given the 600+ hp that my car has.....
moparracing
Enthusiast
you'll have to deal with a speed calibrator box when you change gears, something to keep in mind.
dave6666
Enthusiast
new gears > having to put speed cal on 
vancouver-gts
Viper Owner
To make your desision even more difficult I'll throw my 0.02 in. Have 4.10 [ not planning FI ever] in my GTS and like it a lot. Going through all gears in town like did in the past with my 4 speed cars. Paying the price only in city driving albeit not much more than if had 3.73. And yes, you'll need a Unitrax or similar calibration box regardless what gearset you're going with.
SoCal Rebell
Enthusiast
3.55 on my 2000, great bang for the buck
If you look back you have two posts saying that both gears are peaking in the quarter mile. It depends on how fast you are. My car has 3.55's and traps about 130 mph and that is right at 6000 rpm with a 26" tire. In other words, my car could not use the 3.73 gears. Both sets of gears make the car more fun and both gears make 5th and 6th gear usable. My car has had the 3.07's. 3.33's and now the 3.55's. IMHO the 3.55's are the best combination with a 26" tire.
SoCal Rebell
Enthusiast
With 3.55s you definitely have to throw 4th in the 1/4 mile. I believe you can get away with topping out 3rd with the stock 3.07s.
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It seems 3.55 also allows you a little more room for hp increases. The 3.73 seems to top it out a little more. maybe go with 3.55 it sure seems by the look of it most go with that and it must be for a reason. Thanks for all the input
dru282:3159915 said:
I think it might be harder to get off the line(launch) with the 3.73 or 4:10's. These vipers are hard enough stock to get off the line for most people and i think that a lower effective 1st gear would make matters worse. Havnt experienced anything but the 3.07's myself so maybe others can chime in on my comment.
Very few vipers can finish the 1/4 in 3rd gear. With 3.07 gears and a 26" tire, 3rd gear is only good for approx 115 mph.
Paul Hawker
Enthusiast
All the gear ratio's have their fans, but in your car 3:55 you will be Goldilocks.
dave6666
Enthusiast
Are you planning on drag racing the car? I don't see that in your original post, and all the current advise seems to suggest you are a drag racer.
uvbnbit
Enthusiast
I have a 3.73 gear set. Make offer.
I am not a drag racer just want my car fast off the line. Don't need a real high top end. Always had good luck with 3.73 in my old cars but they weren't vipers. Uvbnbit let me know what you will take for them. A new set is around $400 with all the stuff to go with it. Let me know maybe we can work something out. You may make my decision easy. Thanks again
vancouver-gts
Viper Owner
What's great about having 4.10's [ I'm not a drag racer,lol ] when you are going uphill before an intersection with red light on, you can pace yourself crawling [ like being in low gear in a Jeep ,haha] without slipping the clutch at all. I have no problem launching in first gear but you have to feather it or it will hop badly or, you can start in second gear city driving,using all gears all the time.
In this video my son starting in second gear with slight hop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J6MBMMFdi0
In this video my son starting in second gear with slight hop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J6MBMMFdi0
Martin2000GTS
Enthusiast
Agree with Snkbit!!
I had 3.73's in my Gen 2 for 8 years and never regretted installing them one bit (with the stock HP). I recently went with forced induction and went back to 3.07's and even with 130+ rwhp increase id like to go with a 3.55.
I dont think there is any real answer what is "better" its all about what you want and your driving style, if you go on any of the VCA cruises in your area see iff someone with a different gear set will let you try out their car to see if you like it.
The pull in 2nd - 4th gear with the 3.73's was awesome!
Martin-
I had 3.73's in my Gen 2 for 8 years and never regretted installing them one bit (with the stock HP). I recently went with forced induction and went back to 3.07's and even with 130+ rwhp increase id like to go with a 3.55.
I dont think there is any real answer what is "better" its all about what you want and your driving style, if you go on any of the VCA cruises in your area see iff someone with a different gear set will let you try out their car to see if you like it.
The pull in 2nd - 4th gear with the 3.73's was awesome!
Martin-
dave6666
Enthusiast
Agreed. Even with my 3.73's being diluted a bit with my 28" tall tire, it is way more fun now.
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