ok so me and a buddy were having a discussion about gears last night, and he said that when going from, for example, 3.27's to 4.10's, your car will read higher rwhp. now he's not claiming that they actually increase engine horsepower, just that they reduce horsepower loss to the wheels, which gives you a higher rating on the dyno. i disagreed, but didn't have much to base my argument on. so i was wondering if any of you can testify on his behalf, or my behalf, and put this argument to rest. proof (dyno #'s, etc.) would be best. thanks guys!

 

DOES NOT HELP HORSEPOWER,BUT HELPS RPM TO COME UP FASTER..I WENT FROM 3.08 TO 4.30 NO HP GAIN BUT MAN ALIVE SHE SPINS UP QUICKER..

 

Put it this way.. You can get the same basic effect of lower rear gears by putting on smaller diameter tires on the rear wheels,, that will lower the effective final ratio probably not a lot but noticeable.

So does THAT increase actual HP somehow? Umm nope

You're trading top speed for acceleration, simple as that

 

Your friend is a idiot.

 

Gear'ed cars read a little differently on the dyno (than stock cars) because that 1:1 ratio is changed ever so slightly. Bigger gears read a little less.

 

yeah thats what he said. however, when you say "bigger" gears read less, are you saying that 4.10s will read less HP than 3.27s? i only ask bc technically 3.27s are "bigger" than 4.10s

 

That about sums it up...

 

Your friend is trying to suggest there is less frictional drag in a 4.10 gearset than in for example a 3.27, hence "more horsepower" available for the car??

Nope not true. At least not anything more than maybe 1-2 hp difference