4.3 gears?

[taylor.o1]

Hi everyone this is my first post here!

Right now I have the open rear end that came stock in my firebird. I am going to order a used posi and set of gears at the same time. I am set on using at least 4.10 gears but have found some used GM 4.30s for $147 shiped. I was wondering if anyone has used 4.30s and what they thought about them?

[R6Biker]

What are you using the car for? If you're racing the car at the drap strip every weekend and very little street time, go for the 4.30's. If you're driving the streets more than just to the track, then for the love of god, don't get 4.30's. They will kill your top end, the biggest you need to go for street applications is the 4.10's, they will stick you to the seat but wont completely destroy your top end speeds. Also is the car and automatic or manual. 4 Speed autos with 4.10's, you'll be running high RPMS on interstate speeds, but the manuals are def better for the 4.10's. 4.30's are overkill (unless you are drag racing your car)

[taylor.o1]

I havent been to the stip yet but that is my goal. This is more of a weekend car for me. I never go more 5 min. at 70mph. it is a manual and a calculator told me i would be at 2800 RPM at that speed which i think i could deal with. Could I just start out in 2nd for weekend driving and keep it under 60mph for the most part and be ok?

[R6Biker]

The manual will let you live with the RPMS then, the automatics suck for really high gears. 4.10's are really great gears for our F-Bodies and generally are the popular choice. If you seldom drive freeway/interstate and just want to launch off the line like a son of a gun, and are going to spend most of your time at the track racing, then you could run the 4.30's. There will always be sacrifices but at low speeds I don't think the 4.30's will be something that you wont be able to live with. Problem then gets into your suspension setup and tires, our cars have a bad tendency to wheel-hop. You will run a slightly higher risk of possibly breaking driveline components, but that's the risk with any upgrade. Someone else will probably pop in and give you their opinions as well.

[taylor.o1]

That brings up another question i have. If i used slicks at the drag strip with either 4.10s or 4.30s can i get away with my stock drive train for a while? or am i going to have to push my car off the track after my first launch? If the 4.10s would be any safer I'll go with them.

[R6Biker]

What year is your firebird?

[R6Biker]

btw, tons of people use 4.10's with stock suspension at drags and are fine, I'm sure there are a few with even higher gears around the track here, I was just saying that ideally you would want to upgrade your suspension and tires. Fact is, sometimes you never know when something is going to give out, I've seen some stock cars run some crazy things and take a while before anything happens and other times I've seen other cars break down for who knows what. You really never know when something is going to break. You wont destroy your car running those gears if that's what you're asking, but like I said if you're going to drag race it, suspension is a great plus.

[taylor.o1]

I bought some Hoosier drag slicks. dont really know much about them but i have them for the track, and i have kumo street tires, 275/40/17 for weekend driving. Suspension is going to have to wait for now... my budget will be gone after this posi and gear swap for a while. Its a 2000 with ram air intake and full exaust, and a 50 wet shot. I think ill do a little looking for some cheaper used 4.10s if i cant find any ill just go with the 4.30s and have fun off the line.

[R6Biker]

I'd say that sounds like a decent plan! have fun!

[taylor.o1]

Thanks a lot for the advice!

[R6Biker]

You're welcome, keep us updated on how everything goes.

[Rangersltw]

I am running 4.10s on my car and i love them. Ive got a 5spd and 245s Nitto drag radials, i hook real good on the street. You will def need sticky tires to take full advantage of those gears, or youll be spinning those tires and not getting around that fast.

[taylor.o1]

i dought 4.30s would be that much of a differene from 4.10s... and i have nitrous to help out my top end so i hope i can find a set of 4.30s cheap.... and then ill have to get some drag radials for sure! glad to hear you like the 4.10s!!!

[SnIpEr]

I think you're gonna do pretty damn good. The Hoosiers are gonna be nice on the track, great DR selection!

[taylor.o1]

Thanks! my posi unit is on its way! should be here on thursday and its coming with 3.73 gears so thoes are going straight on craigs list and the classifides here. Im still looking for a cheap set of gears, but i might just end up having to spend $140 or so on them. Im really hoping to get 4.30s becouse the Hoosiers are bigger than my street tires they barly fit!

[Rangersltw]

why would you cheap out on the gears? I look at it as if your gonna spend money on your car, esp on the parts that enable it to move buy something thats gonna last. I have Motive Performance gears for my car.

[taylor.o1]

well i found a guy who put 4.10s in his and now decided he wants 3.73s hopefully i should be able to make a trade with him. mainly i just dont have the money to buy the best of everything so i almost always buy used.

[Rangersltw]

That sounds good. I think you will be more then happy with the 4.10s They are awesome.