Originally posted by Y2KSVT:Honestly, I can't see a reason for it unless you're over the 300whp/wtq mark.
Better launching, keep it in 2nd doing the 1/4, fuel economy.
When I see some Zetec F/D people eclipsing my 2.13 60' time on street tires, I'll think twice about it.
Keep it in 2nd doing the 1/4? Are you drunk? Maybe the 1/8 mile!
Fuel economy..... Call me crazy but I don't build my summer/fast car to get awesome gas mileage. Besides, 1-3mpg extra isn't going to change my mind.
Mark
You can keep yours in 3rd doing the 1/4 mile just by adding 200 rpm to your rev limit and running a taller tire.
After doing the math, the taller tire I run now gave me almost the same effective final drive change as if I had changed the diff and kept stock width tires, insofar as launching goes. I needed tires anyway so I got wider and taller rubber and pretty much fixed the very difficult launching issues.
Another problem was the escape cams. They boosted the midrange torque so much with the turbo that it would rip the [censored] out of any tires I put on there whenever I broke 3000 rpm and half throttle....at 6psi. The SVT cams have a much more linear torque curve and allow a much smoother onset of power so that I can modulate the throttle. With both the tire change and going back to my SVT cams I am able to launch a heck of a lot easier now. The Zetec FD was just too expensive with all these other options to get the same effect. Now if I had it for free, then maybe I'd have done it BUT... it still will kill your hole shot where the real problem is traction.
To get the best launch you want to keep the higher ratio final drive and just improve the traction because you are putting more power to the ground that way.
Former owner of '99 CSVT - Silver #222/2760
356/334 wHP/TQ at 10psi on pump gas!
See My Mods
'05 Volvo S40 Turbo 5 AWD with 6spd, Passion Red
'06 Mazda5 Touring, 5spd,MTX, Black
