Trying to decide...

ls1_murderer

New Member
Sep 8, 2008
3
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Texas
I'm GUESSING that my car puts about 285hp to the flywheel by now with what I have...it's light, and I'm all over the place in first gear (Maybe my tires are a LITTLE worn lol), but which should I get to ease the fear of racing....

Cold Air intake and 3.73 gears...
The gears could easily win races for me while the intake may be one of those cheap aluminum pieces of crap that someone makes...

But I'm barely hooking as it is...
 
the tire thing has taken care of itself (sort of). I got these polished aluminum black 18*9 rims on the way. Someone told me that they used 3.73s and did n't feel a difference and told me to go for 3.90s. I'm trying to make it fast because a "frenemy" of mine has a 98 Camaro SS auto with aluminum wheels and I wanna beat him so bad....

Maybe I should do both lol. can only afford one though...
 
Where at in Texas? Putting heavier rims on isn't helping the cause though you should install some gears regardless. If near the Houston area, I can get you a cheap install if thats what you fear.
 
I'm GUESSING that my car puts about 285hp to the flywheel by now with what I have...it's light, and I'm all over the place in first gear (Maybe my tires are a LITTLE worn lol), but which should I get to ease the fear of racing....

Cold Air intake and 3.73 gears...
The gears could easily win races for me while the intake may be one of those cheap aluminum pieces of crap that someone makes...

But I'm barely hooking as it is...

Control arms with adj uppers will solve your problems. You will have to dial in the pinion angle, but if you want to dead hook on the street, it will take a bit of R&D.

Take your car to the track if you want to run, more and more enforcement agencies are taking and crushing cars caught racing on the street; it really isn't worth losing your ride over.

If you're going to try and beat your friend at that track, get a set of boots for your car tubed and screwed to some 6 cyl rims.

Either your out there for business or your not and the latter is a waste of time. Excuses don't win races.
 
Biggest help will be to first get some decent tires, then worry about the gears. I have 4:10's in my car. You won't be able to feel any sotp difference between 3:73 and 3:90's. I say if you plan on staying N/A then get some 4:10's.

Ohh and don't even waste your money on a CAI because it won't net you any power gains.
 
Where at in Texas? Putting heavier rims on isn't helping the cause though you should install some gears regardless. If near the Houston area, I can get you a cheap install if thats what you fear.


I'm in waco, but I'm actually from houston. Just tell me when, where, and how much...

no difference in take off from 3.73 eh? That sucks. I mean you always hear people tell these stories about how great they are...
 
I'm in waco, but I'm actually from houston. Just tell me when, where, and how much...

no difference in take off from 3.73 eh? That sucks. I mean you always hear people tell these stories about how great they are...

I like my 3.73s... some times I wish I didn't have them in the 1/4 I'm shifting into 4th before the finish line. However on the road they keep me out of boost until around 65 mph or so and that keeps the fuel economy good with my blower.

If I could do it all over I'd either leave the rear end stock, or I'd go 3.90's so I'm shifting into 4th sooner in the 1/4 but still retain some fuel economy with the S/C.

If you're planning on staying N/A, go 4.10's don't get 18's... and go to the track :)
 
I have 3.73s in my car and I honestly feel with the auto that it was my best option for the track. I'd rather not have to shift into overdrive at full throttle just because of how expensive the rebuild was :rlaugh:

As for the gear install--it can be done anytime. QMS (QuarterMile Solutions) is the hookup for the gears and I promise you can't beat the price unless you and a friend tackle it ;)
 
The difference in gear ratio aslo depends on what you start with. I had an auto with 2.73s. I changed them to 3.73s and it was a completely different car. If you have 3.55s then 3.73s won't be a big difference.

On an 18" rim you will end up with tires with a lot less sidewall. You will get more traction from the same tire with more sidewall - ie a smaller rim. The sidewall will flex under load to absorb the shock where a low profile tire will break loose.
 
2000 Ford Mustang GT
Tremec 5 spd
Ceramic Long tube headers
Offroad H pipe

I cut and pasted this from your profile so I knew what you're working with. It's hard to give advice when no-one knows what you're driving.

The gear advice given above is good as well as the tire advice. 18's won't hook as well as 17's. Without traction power is useless. I also agree with the take it to the track advice.

My sig has my progress in it. I beat a lot of cars with more mods than my car has. Notice no cold air intake.
Cat back would be a good idea to compliment your headers and off road pipe.
But then again, if the guy can drive and hooks, you will lose to an ls1. Lt1 no problem.