What are the merits of a short ratio box on a track?, Will it make significant reductions in lap times? Options

[nine14cats]

I've got a stock ratio G50 box in my track car. Currently I'm using 2nd through 4th at Infineon, Buttonwillow, Laguna Seca and Thunderhill. I haven't been to Reno-Fernley yet but will be there later this year.

Would it make a significant improvement in lap times to shorten the gearing between the 2nd through 5th gearsets and take advantage of the 5th I'm not using? I wouldn't do it during the season, as I'm still getting used to the car and my RPM' (and speeds) entering turns should go up as I gain more experience in the car. But I just don't see getting into 5th pretty much at all on any of the tracks....

Thanks,

Bill P.

[nine14cats]

Hi James,

That was my thought, that by regearing I could take advantage of the box at the main 4 tracks I run. The 2nd to 3rd RPM drop is a tad too much in my opionon, the 3rd to 4th feels right, and the 4th to 5th is non-existent due to the OD gearing.

My thought was to shorten up 3rd, 4th, 5th with some more even spacing. Hayden at WEVO gave me a nice little gearshift spreadsheet and he gave me gear ratios for my 914-6 WEVO box that took advantage of the 3.6L's torque but kept the shifts in the meat of the power band. 5th became usable at the longer tracks and the cars top speed gearing was set ~146MPH. My current gearing is much higher than that in 5th right now. I was pulling 131MPH in 4th gear last weekend.

Just doing research.....keep the comments coming....! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap56.gif)

Bill P.