Gear lightening

Whalen3186 · 12-03-2008, 09:26 PM

Approximately how much et is a set of lightened gears worth? Is it worth the extra money to have this done? Thanks

Drew Whalen

FED 387 · 12-03-2008, 10:10 PM

just remember one thing however much weight you remove on a rotating part the engine thinks that it is actually 4 times that amount that it has to overcome---probably not a very significant amount of et but when coupled with weight removal in many parts it does add up to reduced overall et-- any competent machinist can lighten a ring gear---Comp 387

NovaMan · 12-04-2008, 02:13 AM

What do you do? Turn down the OD?

John Mason · 12-04-2008, 12:58 PM

I'd be curious also. On my A/SA Camaro (12 bolt Chevy) I put in a lightened gear set, aluminum spool, rifle drilled axles and lightened axle flanges. 18 lbs reduction in rotating weight for a total difference in ET of -- wait for it ----
NOTHING!
0 in 60', 0 in 330' and so on. Lower HP combo's may see a difference where higher don't.
I think as the distance from the rotational center decreases where weight is removed it has less effect. There seems to be quite a difference in lighter wheels and tires, but look where the weight is being removed.

Ed Wright · 12-04-2008, 10:01 PM

John, I just went through that this summer and saw the same thing you did. Nothing. On top of that I cleaned the right side axle spines out of the spool on the starting line 1st round at the Mid Souths at Memphis. Only good light I've had all year too. Byron Latino didn't mind it too much.

When I tore it down, it also had a tight spot when turning it through, the ring gear flange had developed .007" run-out. It was straight when installed. Don't need any more of that crap.

EMMONS MOTORSPORTS · 12-05-2008, 09:37 AM

I couldn't agree more. IMO, the closer to the center driveline the less 'noticeable' difference. We have not seen an improvement in E.T. One of our stockers had a 12 bolt Posi with stock axles and we tricked it out with the latest and greatest (and expensive, too). It might be worth something when combined with many other factors. It could simply be more reliable.
We do it because everyone else does it and who wants to give up a questionable .005!

EMS

Mike Fuller · 12-05-2008, 08:27 PM

I can perform ring gear machining if anyone isinterested. 313-792-4288

12-03-2008, 09:26 PM	#1
Whalen3186 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 241 Likes: 20 Liked 108 Times in 31 Posts	Gear lightening Approximately how much et is a set of lightened gears worth? Is it worth the extra money to have this done? Thanks Drew Whalen

12-03-2008, 10:10 PM	#2
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,416 Likes: 522 Liked 330 Times in 178 Posts	Re: Gear lightening just remember one thing however much weight you remove on a rotating part the engine thinks that it is actually 4 times that amount that it has to overcome---probably not a very significant amount of et but when coupled with weight removal in many parts it does add up to reduced overall et-- any competent machinist can lighten a ring gear---Comp 387

12-04-2008, 02:13 AM	#3
NovaMan Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 117 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Gear lightening What do you do? Turn down the OD? __________________ ~Pete 1970 Nova

12-04-2008, 12:58 PM	#4
John Mason Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 147 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Gear lightening I'd be curious also. On my A/SA Camaro (12 bolt Chevy) I put in a lightened gear set, aluminum spool, rifle drilled axles and lightened axle flanges. 18 lbs reduction in rotating weight for a total difference in ET of -- wait for it ---- NOTHING! 0 in 60', 0 in 330' and so on. Lower HP combo's may see a difference where higher don't. I think as the distance from the rotational center decreases where weight is removed it has less effect. There seems to be quite a difference in lighter wheels and tires, but look where the weight is being removed. __________________ John Mason 7743 SS

12-04-2008, 10:01 PM	#5
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: Gear lightening John, I just went through that this summer and saw the same thing you did. Nothing. On top of that I cleaned the right side axle spines out of the spool on the starting line 1st round at the Mid Souths at Memphis. Only good light I've had all year too. Byron Latino didn't mind it too much. When I tore it down, it also had a tight spot when turning it through, the ring gear flange had developed .007" run-out. It was straight when installed. Don't need any more of that crap. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA Last edited by Ed Wright; 12-05-2008 at 08:31 AM.

12-05-2008, 09:37 AM	#6
EMMONS MOTORSPORTS Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: League City, TX 77573 Posts: 179 Likes: 85 Liked 106 Times in 23 Posts	Re: Gear lightening I couldn't agree more. IMO, the closer to the center driveline the less 'noticeable' difference. We have not seen an improvement in E.T. One of our stockers had a 12 bolt Posi with stock axles and we tricked it out with the latest and greatest (and expensive, too). It might be worth something when combined with many other factors. It could simply be more reliable. We do it because everyone else does it and who wants to give up a questionable .005! EMS

12-05-2008, 08:27 PM	#7
Mike Fuller Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 948 Likes: 553 Liked 196 Times in 77 Posts	Re: Gear lightening I can perform ring gear machining if anyone isinterested. 313-792-4288 __________________ Mike Fuller 396 STK

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