thinking about higher gear and free flow exhaust 14 gts

[manfreakca]

Hi what are your thoughts if put in a 3.55 gear and just mufflers no cats on???I have arrow controller but still isn't high enough gear in it!!

[Jack B]

Hi what are your thoughts if put in a 3.55 gear and just mufflers no cats on???I have arrow controller but still isn't high enough gear in it!!

you already have 3.55's

[Matt Dillon]

you already have 3.55's

^^^^^This, if i'm not mistaken ALL Gen. 5's come with 3.55's

[Steve M]

Hi what are your thoughts if put in a 3.55 gear and just mufflers no cats on???I have arrow controller but still isn't high enough gear in it!!

I've got a Gen 4 rear end with 3.07s that would be just the ticket for you. You'd be able to cruise down the interstate in first gear...would that be high enough?

[manfreakca]

well then I need higher 4.07 possibly

[Steve-Indy]

It might help other posters if you stated exactly what you are trying to accomplish.

Your statement "but still isn't high enough gear in it!!" could lead one to think you want a higher ratio rear end for drag racing...such as a 3.73 or higher.

OR, some may think you are wanting a taller transmission gear or lower rear end ratio in order to achieve less rpm per mile, and better fuel economy.

[Steve M]

well then I need higher 4.07 possibly

Be careful what you wish for. I could go on about gears for quite some time, but I'll boil it down to this piece of advice: try before you buy. What works for one might not work for you, and vice versa. It helps if you have a goal in mind to start with, and go from there. You also have the added complexity of things like cruise control and traction/stability control - things can get a little wonky when the PCM can no longer tell what gear you are in due to how that is estimated, so you need to make sure that you have retained all system functionality after the swap, depending on how aggressive you get. A numerically higher gear can also greatly increase the amount of drone you have while going down the highway.

I've been down this road with my Gen 4 - went from 3.07s to 3.55s, and I'm seriously considering swapping back.

[wakeupluis]

I am with you too. I feel this thing is a turd from the take off! "Coming from and old drag racer". Definitely does not feel like it has 600 ft/lbs of torque. It feels like it needs a Higher Numerical Gear to me too. Or actually a lower gear... LOL depends on how you look at it. Would be nice to drive one with a lower gear set in it. What are popular gear sets for our rear ends? I know the viper is not built for the drag strip.....

[Matt Dillon]

I am with you too. I feel this thing is a turd from the take off! "Coming from and old drag racer". Definitely does not feel like it has 600 ft/lbs of torque. It feels like it needs a Higher Numerical Gear to me too. Or actually a lower gear... LOL depends on how you look at it. Would be nice to drive one with a lower gear set in it. What are popular gear sets for our rear ends? I know the viper is not built for the drag strip.....

OK, So What's your Point? WHO ever said they WERE Built for the Drag Strip? SMDH

[wakeupluis]

No point at all. I know it's not built for the dig. Just stating my experience and how I feel the car is geared way high for someone who is used to drag racing a car. Also I know how he feels this car doesnt feel fast on the street. But I gear change should change the characteristics of the cars street feel.

[SilveRT8]

I'm Bolt-ons only and went with the 3.91 rear gears, I really like it as it runs 10% higher rpm than stock 3.55 in any gear. Perfect with the tall .50 sixth gear.

[Stealth78]

Be careful what you wish for. I could go on about gears for quite some time, but I'll boil it down to this piece of advice: try before you buy. What works for one might not work for you, and vice versa. It helps if you have a goal in mind to start with, and go from there. You also have the added complexity of things like cruise control and traction/stability control - things can get a little wonky when the PCM can no longer tell what gear you are in due to how that is estimated, so you need to make sure that you have retained all system functionality after the swap, depending on how aggressive you get. A numerically higher gear can also greatly increase the amount of drone you have while going down the highway.

I've been down this road with my Gen 4 - went from 3.07s to 3.55s, and I'm seriously considering swapping back.

What??? Steve are you feeling okay? Lol! I don't want to add to the confusion for the OP due to the different transmission gears from a GenIV to a GenV, but I could not be happier with my swap from 3:07 to 3:55!

I believe a few people may have done this already but the OP might want to consider leaving the 3:55's and having his transmission redone with the GenIV 1st - 3rd gears. My personal opinion is that the 1st - 4th gears are perfectly spread, combine that with the 2013/2014 5th and 6th gears, now you have a perfect transmission!

[Jack B]

What??? Steve are you feeling okay? Lol! I don't want to add to the confusion for the OP due to the different transmission gears from a GenIV to a GenV, but I could not be happier with my swap from 3:07 to 3:55!

I believe a few people may have done this already but the OP might want to consider leaving the 3:55's and having his transmission redone with the GenIV 1st - 3rd gears. My personal opinion is that the 1st - 4th gears are perfectly spread, combine that with the 2013/2014 5th and 6th gears, now you have a perfect transmission!

The G5 has the close ratio 1-4 gearset, but, starts with a 2.26 1st gear. Couple that with an alum flywheel, this is what gives you the perceived lack of dig.

The G4 has the 2.66 1st, however, that spaced the gears further apart, therefore, not perfect for road racing. I am with you, I love the G4 gear set. I also changed 5th to the .8 ratio. The only problem was the .5, 6th gear, I had to have Arrow change the pcm to gain back my cruise.

[Dan Cragin]

Ive tried several ratio's in the early and late Gen 5's. For those who want to change, the 3.73 works the best. Improves 1st gear and not too buzzy on the hwy.

[Voice of Reason]

I still want to do 3.73 gears, the only thing holding me back is I don’t have the .5 6th ratio and I think it would be needed for comfortable highway cruising. I should price out swapping both...

In terms of max speed in each gear between 3.55 and 3.73 if you have the Arrow controller with its 200 rpm higher redline then it helps make up about half of the difference. Meaning even road racers wouldn’t take a huge hit in speed between stock PCM + 3.55 vs Arrow PCM + 3.73.

Last thought - 3.73s may only be a 5% difference over 3.55s but when you consider how much people are willing to pay to get 5% more Hp going from Stage 1 Arrow PCM/Headers to State 2 Heads/Cam it’s actually pretty economical.

[Steve M]

What??? Steve are you feeling okay? Lol! I don't want to add to the confusion for the OP due to the different transmission gears from a GenIV to a GenV, but I could not be happier with my swap from 3:07 to 3.55!

I'm an engineer with a theory and a limited set of data that suggests 3.55s might not be the best gear set for my application. Thankfully, I still have my old 3.07 differential sitting on my work bench, so I'll be doing some testing to see if I can prove my theory.

I'm thinking the 3.07s with a 5th/6th gear trans swap (0.80/0.63) will give me a car at my current power level that is optimized for the highest trap speeds in the quarter, half, and full mile events while retaining a reasonable highway cruising gear.

Either way, I'm going to find out the only way I trust...get as much data as possible, and control the variables as best I can.

[Steve-Indy]

Steve, I can certainly agree with the gear change...as when you come out of 4th, no more "hitting the wall" in terms of rate of acceleration. "Clinical testing" of any stock 2008 vs. 2010 will confirm same. I know.

[Jack B]

I'm an engineer with a theory and a limited set of data that suggests 3.55s might not be the best gear set for my application. Thankfully, I still have my old 3.07 differential sitting on my work bench, so I'll be doing some testing to see if I can prove my theory.

I'm thinking the 3.07s with a 5th/6th gear trans swap (0.80/0.63) will give me a car at my current power level that is optimized for the highest trap speeds in the quarter, half, and full mile events while retaining a reasonable highway cruising gear.

Either way, I'm going to find out the only way I trust...get as much data as possible, and control the variables as best I can.

Like steve said, do you want to go 80 in 1st gear. Your 60 ft time would be terrible. It might help in the 1/2 mi, but, hurt in the mile.

[Steve-Indy]

The problem in this thread it that the original poster bowed out after the post. To offer any valid advice, we really need to know his/her plans and aspirations for this Viper. We have all types of Vipers and drivers here...drag racers, road racers, and "lake bed racers". One just has to ask the right question...and someone will offer a useful answer.

[Stealth78]

I'm an engineer with a theory and a limited set of data that suggests 3.55s might not be the best gear set for my application. Thankfully, I still have my old 3.07 differential sitting on my work bench, so I'll be doing some testing to see if I can prove my theory.

I'm thinking the 3.07s with a 5th/6th gear trans swap (0.80/0.63) will give me a car at my current power level that is optimized for the highest trap speeds in the quarter, half, and full mile events while retaining a reasonable highway cruising gear.

Either way, I'm going to find out the only way I trust...get as much data as possible, and control the variables as best I can.

At that point I honestly think that you would be best with 3:73's due to the upgraded axle shafts and clutch. That would be a screaming combination for the quarter mile and at a much better RPM range going through the traps. Same combination would be perfect with a .80/.63 5th/6th gear revision for the half and full mile events.

[Stealth78]

The G5 has the close ratio 1-4 gearset, but, starts with a 2.26 1st gear. Couple that with an alum flywheel, this is what gives you the perceived lack of dig.

The G4 has the 2.66 1st, however, that spaced the gears further apart, therefore, not perfect for road racing. I am with you, I love the G4 gear set. I also changed 5th to the .8 ratio. The only problem was the .5, 6th gear, I had to have Arrow change the pcm to gain back my cruise.

At stock power levels I can see the closer ratios being more desirable for road course, but even at my power level now combined with a 6,600 rev limiter I don't ever find myself feeling like I am low on power. I can't even imagine a H/C car, even more so a 9.0L feeling the need for the tighter ratios. Heck with that much usable torque I think a 9.0L would do better with the GenIV transmission.

[Steve M]

At that point I honestly think that you would be best with 3:73's due to the upgraded axle shafts and clutch. That would be a screaming combination for the quarter mile and at a much better RPM range going through the traps. Same combination would be perfect with a .80/.63 5th/6th gear revision for the half and full mile events.

I've thought of a few different options, and here are the drawbacks IMO for going with 3.73s and a revised 5th/6th gear:

- Severely traction limited on the street with street tires (how the car is configured 99% of the time, plus I don't trailer the car to events)
- Extra differential heat, with an already low oil capacity (would need to change diff fluid more often)
- Way too high of cruising RPMs on the highway

With 3.07s and the revised 5th/6th ratios, you'd finish the quarter in 3rd on a 28" tire like I currently run, the half in 4th, and a full mile in 5th, leaving 6th for highway only.

Like I said above, this is just my theory, but I intend to try it and see what actually happens in the real world instead of in the spreadsheet where I play with numbers.

[Jack B]

Steve

With a G5 trans your 60 ft times would suck, you could never make up that time. In your car with the 2.66 1st gear, it makes sense.

[Steve-Indy]

Remember this thread?

http://www.viperclub.org/vca/threads...a-2008.635810/

[Steve M]

Steve

With a G5 trans your 60 ft times would suck, you could never make up that time. In your car with the 2.66 1st gear, it makes sense.

Totally agree...I remember when the Gen 5 details first came out, everyone about pissed themselves when they found out it was coming with 3.55s. The masses cheered...except that most totally overlooked the fact that they had also changed the transmission ratios, still leaving a super long first gear, which is what everyone hated in the first place, and then shortened 6th gear, which led to drone on the highway.

As Steve-Indy indicated above, we're pretty much all pissing in the wind here, and comparing Gen 4 and Gen 5 transmission ratios probably isn't helping. There are many ways to skin this cat...