I just bought a project track Pantera that has 4.85 gearing installed and a 4.22 spare. Could you please explain the differences between the two and your preferences for SoCal open track use with about 600hp?
Thanks,
Matt Merritt
Original Post
I'd like to know these answers too. Sort of sounds like the final drive gearing in the rear differential. I think the final drive ratio is gonna either give you closer gear ratios between all the gears or taller, wider gear ratios.
I checked the latest Pantera International issue on page 9, where they're advertizing a taller 5th gear (0.642) compared to the stock (0.704) and sort of conclude that the lower number is gonna give you both higher top speed and taller gearing in all gears with the final drive ratios you're asking about. I really want to get a taller 5th gear as advertized, and I'm budgeting this for FY-2005, after some other Pantera Priorities. The stock 5th gear is so close to 4th gear already, IMHO, that a taller 5th would make 4th gear more useful. So, if you're topping out rpms on the straights, then go to the lower of the two final gear ratios. Conversely, if you're never able to get close to redline rpm at the end of the longest straight-a-ways, then go to the higher of the final gear drive ratios. And I'd never sell either of the gears, because you may need them later. And I predict, you're gonna become pretty familiar with changing the gears in a ZF. That can't be a bad thing, right?
In a serious racing world, you are gonna be using different gearing for different tracks, just like the Moto-Cross Guys, Formula-1 Guys, Indy Car Guys, and CART Guys. In a competitive racing environment, with big money at stake, everything is a big secret, but in other racing forums, you'll probably be able to make buddies and share notes as to what works best, and of course help each other against the other makes of race vehicles. So, I'd go out to the track or tracks you plan to be running and start making friends with Pantera Guys. You'll probably be really happy to find a very friendly Pantera Guy who will be thrilled to have an ally against the other makes.
Part of the fun, or in big money racing, the big secrets, will be the experimentation. To do this best, you'll be changing only one variable at a time, keeping meticulous notes. Once something gives a better track time and is fully optimized, you'll make a note, leave it there and move on to the next variable, searching for better results e.g. quicker track times. Variables are specific for each track. They include, gearing, tires, shocks, suspensions stagger with sway bar adjustments, aerodynamics-downforce, ride height, front spoilers, etc. and will change with track temperatures and track-by-track, thus the meticulous note taking.
So, have fun, and invite ME to help you test drive your car around the track and make these adjustments whenever you can get track time to race-tune your Pantera.
Best regards and may you win every time,
Ron
I checked the latest Pantera International issue on page 9, where they're advertizing a taller 5th gear (0.642) compared to the stock (0.704) and sort of conclude that the lower number is gonna give you both higher top speed and taller gearing in all gears with the final drive ratios you're asking about. I really want to get a taller 5th gear as advertized, and I'm budgeting this for FY-2005, after some other Pantera Priorities. The stock 5th gear is so close to 4th gear already, IMHO, that a taller 5th would make 4th gear more useful. So, if you're topping out rpms on the straights, then go to the lower of the two final gear ratios. Conversely, if you're never able to get close to redline rpm at the end of the longest straight-a-ways, then go to the higher of the final gear drive ratios. And I'd never sell either of the gears, because you may need them later. And I predict, you're gonna become pretty familiar with changing the gears in a ZF. That can't be a bad thing, right?
In a serious racing world, you are gonna be using different gearing for different tracks, just like the Moto-Cross Guys, Formula-1 Guys, Indy Car Guys, and CART Guys. In a competitive racing environment, with big money at stake, everything is a big secret, but in other racing forums, you'll probably be able to make buddies and share notes as to what works best, and of course help each other against the other makes of race vehicles. So, I'd go out to the track or tracks you plan to be running and start making friends with Pantera Guys. You'll probably be really happy to find a very friendly Pantera Guy who will be thrilled to have an ally against the other makes.
Part of the fun, or in big money racing, the big secrets, will be the experimentation. To do this best, you'll be changing only one variable at a time, keeping meticulous notes. Once something gives a better track time and is fully optimized, you'll make a note, leave it there and move on to the next variable, searching for better results e.g. quicker track times. Variables are specific for each track. They include, gearing, tires, shocks, suspensions stagger with sway bar adjustments, aerodynamics-downforce, ride height, front spoilers, etc. and will change with track temperatures and track-by-track, thus the meticulous note taking.
So, have fun, and invite ME to help you test drive your car around the track and make these adjustments whenever you can get track time to race-tune your Pantera.
Best regards and may you win every time,
Ron