Wondering About A Gear Swap In The LS?

Sikness

Sikness

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Ive been searching and havent seen alot of info about swapping the gears in the LS, i see that alot of you have 4.10s which is what i would like to run. Wondering how much is involved and about how much did you spend to do it? I have 3 project cars right now and can't spend alot doing gears in this one. I have a 03 LS8 auto. Anyone got any info or a link?? :D
 
looks like alot of work and fab to make it happen. this thing is SOOOO slow off the line, even in daily driving it lacks bigtime. im used to geared beasts though lol. wish this had more low end torque power =-(
 
Well its a 4000 pound luxury vehicle, not built for speed.
 
Sikness said:
...i see that alot of you have 4.10s which is what i would like to run.
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I think you are confused. Very few have swapped gears. It is easier on the 1st Gen. For you and the Gen 2 you have to swap in Gen 1 axles and differential, then move forward. You can also use the Gen 1 axles and an 8.8 rear, requiring a little more fabrication but opening up the aftermarket options.
 
unless you swap the entire diff, case, mounting and driveshaft (swapping in a mustang 8.8" setup) - you cannot swap gears to anything that an LS didn't already come with.

The swaps that are more common are 8.8" LSD into the LS stock carrier - but using the stock LS gearing.
 
Quik LS said:
unless you swap the entire diff, case, mounting and driveshaft (swapping in a mustang 8.8" setup) - you cannot swap gears to anything that an LS didn't already come with.

The swaps that are more common are 8.8" LSD into the LS stock carrier - but using the stock LS gearing.
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Right, but to really clarify Mustangs are really solid axle 8.8s so a IRS 8.8 diff is needed, meaning Cobra or as I used and as far as I know the same as Cobra, MarkVIII diff.


With good fab skills between me and ILLS, and his good welding skills, I remember being $1500 in or so. Without the skills or means to do the needed fabbing.....cost is hard to say. Finding someone to take it at a shop on with little more than posts on here about mine that it works well will be hard.


Having the only 4.10ed LS around.......priceless.



As far as I know anyway.
 
So how hard is it to do in a 1st gen? I have a 02 LS I would like to do something with. Whats the factory gear in these anyways?
 
I'm on my way to doing it..115 into the case, about 430 for gears and LSD, and 300 for ds.. Ohh, and 50 or so for metal for brackets..
 
pektel said:
You will remain the only one with 4.10's... I'm going 4.30's :D
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i think your taking that "dont fear the gear" a little too far there;) lol

awe fukc it, no one ever goes over 100 mph anyway right
 
Eh, I have other means of transportation for long drives. The LS will be retired to "toy" status in June.

And, I actually downsized from the 4.56's I was originally planning on. Sully was telling me that 4.30's would be a better option, since that would put you near the top of 4th gear at the traps. 4.56's would require another shift.
 
1LoudLS said:
there is a couple of different options, i believe its between 3.31 and 3.51
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Actually, stock gears are either 3.31 or 3.58 in the automatics. Generally gen 1's were 3.31's (some early model 2000's had 3.58's IIRC), and gen 2's were all 3.58's. I don't recall what the manual gen 1 ls's gear ratio was.
 
pektel said:
Eh, I have other means of transportation for long drives. The LS will be retired to "toy" status in June.

And, I actually downsized from the 4.56's I was originally planning on. Sully was telling me that 4.30's would be a better option, since that would put you near the top of 4th gear at the traps. 4.56's would require another shift.
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that will definitely be interesting, i have always said, "if your gonna go, go BIG"

pektel said:
Actually, stock gears are either 3.31 or 3.58
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yep, thats the ticket
 
FASTLLS said:
Well I just don't want to be spinning through 3rd.. lol

Plus, I think 410s are 50 cheaper than 430 IIRC..
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DR's plus locker whould help out as much as possible.

As far as the price difference between gears - $50 is not a deal breaker to get what I want.
 
pektel said:
Eh, I have other means of transportation for long drives. The LS will be retired to "toy" status in June.

And, I actually downsized from the 4.56's I was originally planning on. Sully was telling me that 4.30's would be a better option, since that would put you near the top of 4th gear at the traps. 4.56's would require another shift.
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Yup, Richmond 4.33's here, thanks to Jason [02LSE96LSC91SE84TC] for the inspiration, and questions answered. ;) I don't like FRRP cause their made by Motive gear, but Richmond's have a little bit of a whine, FRRP'S are quiet though for everyday driving just cause their cut a little different. Car turns 2750-2850 at 70-75 on the highway, jumped about 300-400 rpm after swapping the rear axle.
 
pektel said:
Eh, I have other means of transportation for long drives. The LS will be retired to "toy" status in June.

And, I actually downsized from the 4.56's I was originally planning on. Sully was telling me that 4.30's would be a better option, since that would put you near the top of 4th gear at the traps. 4.56's would require another shift.
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4.30s vs. 4.10s will only be a few hundred rpm different on the highway, 4.56s a few more.


I can't imagine needing a shift to 5th with 4.56s. That would be a very good reason not to do them. But I'm FAR from red line with 4.10s, can't see 4.56s pushing it that much up.
 
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