Gear upgraded, 3.08 to 4.10

[EnzoColorado]

I just upgraded the gear in my Suburban from 3.08 to 4.10! Still need to go to a speedo shop to get the speedometer calibrated. First drive today, it's feels quite a bit more responsive though it's funny to see 95 mph on the speedo while still on the freeway entrance ramp. Can't wait until next camping trip in September to New Mexico to see how much better it tows.

[RCMAN46]

dodge guy wrote:

RCMAN46 wrote:
After first gear you may not find much difference.

The 4.1 gives nearly the same gear ratios as going down one gear with the 3.08 after first gear and you lose the overdrive.



3.08 4.1 Equlivant

2.97 3.95 1st
2.31 3.08 2nd
1.57 2.09 3rd
1.18 1.57 4th
1 1.33 5th
0.75 1.00 6th

Note how close the gear ratios above first gear are.

Not even close! Each ratio becomes more efficient at towing a heavier load. Dropping a gear does nothing!

You do not see the same numbers that I do.

6 th gear with 4.1 is the exact same ratio as 5 th gear with 3.08.

4 th gear with 4.1 is also exact same ratio as 3 rd gear with the 3.08.

The others are very close except of course 1 st gear which is almost never used beyond 5 mph.

The 6 speed auto with a torque converter has more than enough torque in first gear regardless the axle ratio.

[dodge_guy]

RCMAN46 wrote:
After first gear you may not find much difference.

The 4.1 gives nearly the same gear ratios as going down one gear with the 3.08 after first gear and you lose the overdrive.



3.08 4.1 Equlivant

2.97 3.95 1st
2.31 3.08 2nd
1.57 2.09 3rd
1.18 1.57 4th
1 1.33 5th
0.75 1.00 6th

Note how close the gear ratios above first gear are.

Not even close! Each ratio becomes more efficient at towing a heavier load. Dropping a gear does nothing!

[RCMAN46]

After first gear you may not find much difference.

The 4.1 gives nearly the same gear ratios as going down one gear with the 3.08 after first gear and you lose the overdrive.



3.08 4.1 Equlivant

2.97 3.95 1st
2.31 3.08 2nd
1.57 2.09 3rd
1.18 1.57 4th
1 1.33 5th
0.75 1.00 6th

Note how close the gear ratios above first gear are.

[Harold_Fairbank]

In my 6.0 Chevy truck I changed the 3.73 gears to 4.56 while also having a tune performed by PCMforLess.

The truck felt like it lost half its own weight. Seriously, the change in power at take-off was simply unbelievable.

My towing mpg actually increased as I was now in the powerband and I could just cruise down the highway. Starting off from a stop was drastically improved (my truck is a manual) and the truck feels as quick now towing the trailer as it did before with NO trailer.

[larry_barnhart]

We changed our 1990 chev van from the 3.42to the 4.10 because we bought a 22 ft TT. Doing the speedometer ratio change the man burned up every guage in the dash. It made the 350 engine tow with out having the pedal to the floor.

chevman

[ktosv]

Go big or go home right? That is a huge step in gear ratios. I am curious to see your feedback after your camping trip. For what you are towing that should tow with realative ease considering I have been happy with my 3.42, even with towing in the mountains of Pennsylvania.

[kw_00]

dodge guy wrote:
Since you need to get the speedo addressed, why not get a custom tune from Black Bear? That will really wake up that 5.3 especially with how well it will change the shift strategy!

Bingo! Could not have said it better myself. I have the EFI Live tune and love it. The tune is worth the time and investment to look into it.

[dodge_guy]

Since you need to get the speedo addressed, why not get a custom tune from Black Bear? That will really wake up that 5.3 especially with how well it will change the shift strategy!

[AJBert]

No real need to go to the "speedo shop". A very basic tuner will allow you to change the gears for probably less than a shop will charge you and take less than ten minutes.

BTW, you will LOVE the difference while towing! However, expect you daily driving mileage to drop considerably.

[GordonThree]

Nice! How hard was it to find a shop to do the work?

Don't forget to update your signature 🙂

[73guna]

That will make a huge difference.