Gears and Tune vs. Supercharger

[gadini]

Been driving a 2003 MM Black/Black for about 8 mos. all stock except for K & N filter. Being that it is a daily driver (60 mile total commute) and has 52K on it, I'm looking to take the next step... after viewing this site for awhile, I've narrowed it down to 2 options: 4.10s and XCal2 tune or supercharger. I intend to drive this car the full 150K or so it was designed to achieve, but like to "get after it" occasionally. The gears and tune are less invasive to the pocket book (about $1200) than the SC. Other than that, I don't want to overly strain the engine/transmission. How will each affect driveability/performance? Whats the best option for just wanting to "haul ass" on the hwy every once in awhile? Comments appreciated.

[Marauderjack]

WELCOME gadini!!!!!:beer:

Tune and gears = maybe 25 RWHP??:cool:

Blower only = 150 or more RWHP!!!:bows:

As long as you don't just constantly flog it and do burnouts your engine and drive train will hold up just fine with any of the blowers currently available as long as you keep up with fluid changes!!:beer:

I have almost 170K miles on my car.......the last 85K or so with the ProCharger!!:beer: BTW, I get about 19 MPG around Beaufort (50/50 city/highway) and 21-22 MPG strictly Highway at 75+ MPH!!!:bows:

Marauderjack:burnout:

[sailsmen]

Define your goals.

If your goal is to run 14.5 then a tune and gears.

If your goal is to run 13.0 then S/C.

If your goal is to not "strain" the engine then tune and gears.

A S/C will add 150-200 RWHP.

An off the shelf Tune will add ~20 RWHP. The shift points is the biggest diff w/ a tune.

[Taemian]

WELCOME gadini!!!!!:beer:

Tune and gears = maybe 25 RWHP??:cool:

Blower only = 150 or more RWHP!!!:bows:

As long as you don't just constantly flog it and do burnouts your engine and drive train will hold up just fine with any of the blowers currently available as long as you keep up with fluid changes!!:beer:

I have almost 170K miles on my car.......the last 85K or so with the ProCharger!!:beer: BTW, I get about 19 MPG around Beaufort (50/50 city/highway) and 21-22 MPG strictly Highway at 75+ MPH!!!:bows:

Marauderjack:burnout:

Gearing doesn't add or subtract horespower. Lidio's tune is good for 20 hp MAX unless you've got a 100+ octane program. Comparing a $1000 to a $6000 option is like bringing a knife to a gunfight.:shake:

[xopher]

Find someone nearby with 4.10s and a tune. Take a ride and ask them to get on it, or take it up and feel the accelaration and downshifting in 3rd gear. I finally got the tune for 3.55s yesterday, and the switch to 4.10 gears and a 4.10 tune will mate well and give the car much better accelerator reaction. 4.10s and a tune will let you screw around a little bit, but the supercharger will dominate and entirely change the car.

If you want to just put the hammer down every once in a while and have the car respond to your accelerator inputs, 4.10s and a tune are fine. If you want the back tires to break loose all the time, then supercharge.

[ctrlraven]

Like others have said it really depends on your goals.

If you just want a quick ride without breaking the bank then an intake, tune and 4.10 gears will do you just fine.

Intake, Tune, colder spark plugs, GM coil-on-plug connectors, 180 degree thermostat, 4.10 gears and if you want some rumble throw on some Magnaflow or Flowmaster mufflers oh and removing the 2nd set of cats can net you some sound and a little better performance.

[Bradley G]

I started with 4:10's and a tune, then the popular supporting bolt ons.
Then I went S/C'ed.
It would have been cheaper to have a plan, that I stuck to.

[sailsmen]

5/14/2003/ Mileage 2,500/ MODS Chip, UD, 4:10, Stat, Plugs/ ET 14.27/ $1,259
3/5/2004/ Mileage 20,257/ MODS Brakes, Cobra Exh, PI TQ, Trans Pan, Built Trans, Dyno Tune, Tires/ ET 13.74/ $5,732
3/25/2005/ Mileage 42,882/ MODS S/C/ ET 12.28/ $7,938

The only parts that were "traded" in were UD.

Prices include Labor and Maintenance items.

[Go Mifuni]

Not to hijack the thread, but if I installed a chip that had a tune for 4:10's and I still had the 3:55's, would it have any negative effects except throwing off my speedo?

[Aren Jay]

basically it is gears vs supercharger. The tune is needed either way.

[Local Boy]

Go Mifuni...Your shift points would be early...

ALOHA

[Go Mifuni]

Go Mifuni...Your shift points would be early...

ALOHA

Yeah. I thought the shifting may be screwed up due to it thinking the transmission was doing something it wasn't, or not doing something it should lol.