Gears which ones
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 560
From: Chicagoland Area
The Richmond gears are probably one of the best gears made. The splines are not that round at all and are almost straight. Although they can be a little whiny, that are very strong and give good bite. GM Motive gears are also good and I think a little cheaper. I know the Richmond gears are like around $190 with the instalation kit. Not sure on the GM Motive ones though. Hope this helps.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 129
From: Pembroke Pines, FL
goto www.gearsrus.com I got Motive Performance from there, no problems
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3
Has anyone done this?
Hello,
Although this is my first post, I have been reading your board now for about 6 month. I own a 1997 Trans Am, M6, so I usually hang out at the Formula Forums, but read as many LT1 related boards as I can.
Anyway, I have thought about doing the ring and pinion gear change, and installing the bearing kit like one from Ratech for quite a long time as I'm getting a lot of noise from the rear end.
I have talked to many mechanics who want to charge upwards of a grand to do this. They have warned me against doing this myself, and none of the guys at the Formula Forums have done this themselves.
Has anyone done the gear change themselves? If so, what would you rate the difficulty level? I'm in the military and have access to an auto hobby shop with lifts and tools and such. Does anyone know of any good instructions out there on the web? Do the gears and install kit come with instructions?
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Cheers
William
Although this is my first post, I have been reading your board now for about 6 month. I own a 1997 Trans Am, M6, so I usually hang out at the Formula Forums, but read as many LT1 related boards as I can.
Anyway, I have thought about doing the ring and pinion gear change, and installing the bearing kit like one from Ratech for quite a long time as I'm getting a lot of noise from the rear end.
I have talked to many mechanics who want to charge upwards of a grand to do this. They have warned me against doing this myself, and none of the guys at the Formula Forums have done this themselves.
Has anyone done the gear change themselves? If so, what would you rate the difficulty level? I'm in the military and have access to an auto hobby shop with lifts and tools and such. Does anyone know of any good instructions out there on the web? Do the gears and install kit come with instructions?
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Cheers
William
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 3,499
From: PORTLAND, OR, MULTNOMAH
I had my mech. do the gears using the RATECH solid pinion spacer and shims.
He charged me 4.9 hours labor plus 14.00 for gear oil, etc.
Total: $360.00 for the install.
Paid $267.00 for GM/OEM Ring and Pinion
$79.00 for bearing kit
$15.00 for Ratech kit.
$225.00 to send my pcm to PCMFORLESS for programming for gears and other stuff, including Lt4 Knock Module.
$7.00 for GM gear additive.
So almost a grand for the whole deal.
I do recommend that you go with GM/OEM gears rather than after market stuff like Motive, Strange, Richmond (only because the OEM stuff is just like the gears you're taking out and they are quieter than most others). JMHO.
He charged me 4.9 hours labor plus 14.00 for gear oil, etc.
Total: $360.00 for the install.
Paid $267.00 for GM/OEM Ring and Pinion
$79.00 for bearing kit
$15.00 for Ratech kit.
$225.00 to send my pcm to PCMFORLESS for programming for gears and other stuff, including Lt4 Knock Module.
$7.00 for GM gear additive.
So almost a grand for the whole deal.
I do recommend that you go with GM/OEM gears rather than after market stuff like Motive, Strange, Richmond (only because the OEM stuff is just like the gears you're taking out and they are quieter than most others). JMHO.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,667
From: SLC, UT
Well.... Seeing I've got a shot Pinion bearing I'm replacing the gears in my rear as well.
I personally want to make sure the rearend can hold up to any abuse I can throw at it, within reason without upgrading to a 12bolt, thus I'm using the TA cover as well...
After shoping and comparing prives EVERYWHERE.... the best deal is from Thunder Racing.. their complete rear-end deal with every part needed for $459. You're NOT going to find a better deal for what you get in the kit.
I'm going with GM Motive 4.10s from Thunder Racing with the TA cover and stud kit.
I personally want to make sure the rearend can hold up to any abuse I can throw at it, within reason without upgrading to a 12bolt, thus I'm using the TA cover as well...
After shoping and comparing prives EVERYWHERE.... the best deal is from Thunder Racing.. their complete rear-end deal with every part needed for $459. You're NOT going to find a better deal for what you get in the kit.
I'm going with GM Motive 4.10s from Thunder Racing with the TA cover and stud kit.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,667
From: SLC, UT
Originally posted by chesee48
ive heard good things bout motive, but u cant go wrong with GM IMO...Thats what im using currently
ive heard good things bout motive, but u cant go wrong with GM IMO...Thats what im using currently
that's why they're sold as GM/Motive
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 3,499
From: PORTLAND, OR, MULTNOMAH
Are you absolutely sure about that? Motive may make the GM aftermarket gears but are the factory installed gears made by motive? Just curijous.
And...I just said that my 4.10s cost $367.00 for the Ring and Pinion, the bearing kit and the Ratech shim kit. Including shipping.
Gears are Genuine GMs.
$459.00 - $367.00 = $92.00. Fuzzy Math?
Plus, I've even seen them less expensive.
And...I just said that my 4.10s cost $367.00 for the Ring and Pinion, the bearing kit and the Ratech shim kit. Including shipping.
Gears are Genuine GMs.
$459.00 - $367.00 = $92.00. Fuzzy Math?
Plus, I've even seen them less expensive.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 3,499
From: PORTLAND, OR, MULTNOMAH
OEM=Original Equipment. Motive is not original equipment. Motive is after market made to OEM specs. Motive usually less expensive, run a little warmer, a tad noisier, and probably don't fit to a tee like an OEM gear will.
Not saying Motive isn't a good gear whether its made in Korea or Mexico or N.J. Just saying that it is not Original Equipment.JMHO
You can get a set of 3.73s for around $600.00 from a GM dealer or get them other places for less than $400.00 including Timken Bearing kit with National seals, a RATECH kit and shipping.
Just trying to get you guys a fair price.
Not saying Motive isn't a good gear whether its made in Korea or Mexico or N.J. Just saying that it is not Original Equipment.JMHO
You can get a set of 3.73s for around $600.00 from a GM dealer or get them other places for less than $400.00 including Timken Bearing kit with National seals, a RATECH kit and shipping.
Just trying to get you guys a fair price.
