It is my understanding that the 4:10 gears really whine, making the car an almost impossible daily driver because of noise. Also, the gas mileage drops big time. Now I am reading that this isn't true. Are the individuals who are recommending 4:10 gears driving weekend cars or daily drivers? When I went to my local Chevrolet dealer, he said they don't make 3:73 or 4:10 gears for my car, is he not knowledable about the gears for my car or did I ask him the wrong question?

 

If the dealership said they don't make them, find another one. They obviously don't know sh*t about F-body's, or they just don't want to do a gear swap. As far as extra whine, that's BS. The noise depends on the quality of the installation. The only thing bad about 4.10s is that they're slightly weeker than all other gears, basically because the many teeth. Af far as gas mileage, there shouldn't be too much of a difference. RPMs will be higher, possibly annoying, but drivability won't suffer too much, at least not enough to where you wouldn't like the SOTP difference.

 

I'm running Motive 4.11 gears in my car and there is a fair amount of whine from the rear. However, an open cutout and the radio takes care of that. Actually, the whine is really only there between 50 - 65 MPH. After that, it quiets down.

Gas milage? I didn't buy this car to get good gas milage, but I still manage to get 18 MPG in the city.

 

You mention a cutout when running the 4:10s, what do you mean? Excuse the ignorance but I am not familiar with that. I have read a little about it but never knew what they meant, thanks.

 

exhaust cut outs are cheap and simple ways to make some noise and release horsepower trapped in your exhaust. they have a trap door you screw open to bypass the part of exhaust its in front of, so if you mount it after your cat but before your muffler, it will bypass only your muffler when you open it. because of noise ordinances, these are basically illegal. if you want to get fancy with them, look in jc whittley catalogue. they sell ones with an electric solenoid that opens and closes them from the touch of a button in your cab. i do some work for the local police stations, so i put on the electric ones to screw with them.

 

I have a 4:10 I get 21mpg and have some gear whine. You can use 6th gear at any speed above 35 mph if you chose so gas mileage is fine. Plus the car still pull on the expressway in 6th. Unless you run around in too high of a gear gas mileage won't be much diff. I guess I am making the assumption this is a 6-speed car we are talking about. I think nothing of the gear whine it doesn't bother me. A good stereo system in your car should completely eliminate the whine.

Brian

 

Your mpg will drop a little, but nothing horrible.

Depending on what brand of gear you get, some are quiet, some whine. If you still have the stock rear end, I recommend some Genuine GM replacement gears or Motive gears. They may whine a tad, but if installed correctly you won't even hear them with the radio on low. The guy at your dealership is an idiot. Don't take it to them for the work, they will rape you for the install.

 

I'm sure your traction will suffer more than your gas milage. lol

 

With my 4.10's I get 17 city and 27mpg@80mph. I have no noticable whine. Whined a little when I bought it, but after a pinion seal whine was gone. But traction is an issue with the car also lowered 1.5" and no relocation brackets. When I get some DR's and break these I'll problly get 4.10's in a moser 12-bolt.

 

I had traction problems before and after lowering with Sportline kit. After installing some Bilstein HD in back it hooks up much better. Still planning on relocation brackets and trailing arms though.

Brian

 

BF Goodrich drag radials. The answer to all traction problems. My car couldnt break these tires loose doing a break torque in reverse. Easily the best tire for your money. If you get 4.10s get drag radials. Otherwise you will lose time in the 1/4 mile b/c of spinning. And dont get the Nitto Drag radials. They suck, you need to warm em up b4 they get traction. BFGs hook hot cold you name it.