F-Body Europe

Once again hitting up all of you gurus out there. As some of you know I've a bad pinion/carrier bearing for a while. Well I'm finally getting off my rump and am going to fix it myself..... I will be replacing both carrier, wheel bearings & seals, pinion bearing and seal, and I think the shims also come with the rebuild pack. Also while I have it all apart I will attempt my first gear change (ever) from 3.23's to 3.73's (all Richmond Gears and Parts) I have never changed gears befor keep in mind. I am just looking for any hints, tips, or tricks to watch out for while doing this. I am also planning on purchaseing a Do it yourself video from Richmond to help me out some. Also a small Q???? Does anyone know if I will have to re-calibrate my speed-o for my new gears??? I asked a genuine Chevy mechanic from my dealer in the states and he said no..... but didn't sound to sure of himself. Like I always say..... any help is appreciated! Thanks once again!

Doesn't Jim Cox know what's going on with a gear swap? As far as the speedo, I know companies sell a kit with gears and a callibrator as well as plain gear kits. I'm not sure though.

Just a recomendation, but go with GM gears. That was the first question the guy that put mine in asked. If they were Richmonds he wouldn't guarentee the install (against noise, and premature wear). There are some subtle differances in the gear cut between the mfg's. He said alot of them go in fine, but...... With that said, he had to reset mine (GM) 4 times. Accel and Deccel are easy enough, but coasting and very light throttle is where he had problems with gear whine.

As far as your speedo, you need a reprogram. Its probably not a huge diff though. Going from 3.42 to 4.10 I gained only about 500rpm at any given speed or gear.

A install kit should have all the shims and things you will need, to include the marking grease.

I looked up and I will only gain about 150 to 200 rpm in each gear... I figure I'll be about 5mph off maybe just a little more than that. Thanks for the info on the Richmond Gears..... I just went off what everyone else says....... that their bullet proof and that I wouldn't have any problems...... but to tell you the truth I was also looking at the GM gears due to a cost difference of about - $75.00. Thanks again for the info.

GM gears are the best. I have Motive Gears. I think they make em for GM. If you go with motive's make sure you get the ones "Made in USA" and not Italy. i hear there is a difference. Mine are and they are quiet as can be.
If you have a automatic, a gear change could throw your shifts off a bit.

Jeff

What do you mean throw them off a little? Thanks for the info about the gears... is there a web site for them?

Your shifts are programed to happen at certain MPH, if you change the gear ratio with out reprograming for it your car will "think" is is going faster than it really is, hence throwing your shifts out of whack.

Thunder racing has a good package with motives, install kit and a programmer for like $500. The HPP+ isnt such a bad thing for slushbox cars.

Hope this helps.