I went up to Function Tuned today to swap top the 3.3 FD. Let me start by saying thanks Dave and Juan it took about 1.5 hours to do it, very straight forward. Drop the rear section of the APS TD exhaust, loosen the axle bolts on both sides and its 3 bolts that hold the pumpkin up.

I was worried with the slight reduction (about 6%) in TQ multiplication my car would feel "slow"...I know 500+whp cant feel slow but Ive read mixed reviews from forum members, some like it, others feel like the car struggles some up top. Last thing I wanted was for my car to feel like it was ******* out at the top of 4th or 5th. So my impressions....

Today was the warmest day we have had the past 2 weeks, when I took the car out it was around 50-55 degrees, on the way up to FT traction was horrible in 1-3rd gears, so on the highway Id have to start at about 60mph in 4th not to spin. First drive----> I hit it from 2nd gear, and I was highly surprised, it spun but not in the viscious way it usually does (like it does in 1st gear), the car still moved forward instead of going completely sideways, almost like a 70% spin/30% traction-MUCH better here. I can now ease into 2nd with no issues-just peddle it a little. In 3rd now, I have no traction issues, immediately the car rockets forward from a 60mph up to 100mph(stock in 3rd is 88mph) when I grab 4th. I love 4th now as it pulls nasty as hell to 130mph (stock is 112mph). Overall I highly like/recommend this mod, the car doesnt even feel 1% slower to me, even up top in 3rd, 4th or 5th. Even at 45mph in 3rd (thats 25mph under the new redline in 2nd) the car takes off as if the gearing werent longer at all. I highly recommend this to anybody with 500+whp the gearing feels like it should be for our power levels, Im on decent tires-KDW 2's, not even summer compounds, and Im at -2.0 degrees rear camber and my traction now feels like it did before in 80+degree heat. I think in summer time with better compound tires the car will hook from 2nd gear with no issues. 3rd gear highway blasts are just nasty-traction was still good later in the night with temps in the low 40's.

Thanks again Function Tuned for the diff/swap anybody in MD/VA hit them up for anything you need----- www.myspace.com/functiontuned


One quick pic...

 

sounds nice bro.......no go back out and waste all your gas doing what i really wanna do but cant...........

 

Nice, any plans on going down the 1/4 again?

 

Not until after July, Im going on the AKA rally and I want to keep the car in 1 piece until then. I'll go back trying to accomplish my goal after that. It's alot of work and likely $$$ (already cost me 1 tranny!) to brag about a 1/4 number you know...

 

So ... theoretically what is your top speed now? 210? 220 mph? Also ... you should make a new video of that "3rd gear blast" ... I'm curious to see how fast it accelerates.

 

According to the calculator I used it gave me this...

3.3 FD
6600 rpm redline max speed in each gear : 42 69 99 126 160 202
7000 rpm redline max speed in each gear : 45 73 105 133 169 215

I noticed it calculated 3-4mph too high though, as I only saw about 100mph at 7000rpm's in 3rd, and 130mph in 4th but the digi speedo (I never look at analog) was just starting to keep up when I let off so it could be right on...Id say at least 210mph theoretical top speed.

At 60mph with the 3.3 FD in 6th I am at 2100rpm's, should be nice for mileage.

 

True...still have the stock axles in?

 

That's freakin' awesome ... your car is a beast. I remember when your car was N/A and I was jealous of it then. I'm a LITTLE more jealous now considering your cars a tiny bit faster than it used to be ...

 

Yes still stock axles, as I break stuff I'll upgrade

Thanks man. We are supposed to get snow tomorrow here, when the weather clears up I'll post a 3rd and 4th gear blast, 4th from 80-130mph is sweet

 

Yea Bert, good times man! Had a blast zipping around the area. I can't belive how much difference 200 whp makes when you pulled on me that hard! I love my 3.3 FD, and just so all you FI guys know it works even in the low HP numbers (400 to the wheels for me). Bert took mine for a spin while his was on the lift, and he can attest. Any FI should strongly consider this!

 

MPG is going to be better with the lower gearing. I might think about doing this in the near future. I'm glad you are happy with your setup Alberto. Be safe out there.

 

I was low boost man "only" about 130whp more Thanks for letting me drive your car man, 400whp never felt so well planted in my car in these temps....

 

Regardless it was nasty seeing you launch and the car just kick down and take off! Its going to be fun on the Rally man!

 

Awesome to hear Bert! Thats friggin sweet..

 

3.3 = slower... hehehe


it really just depends on many factors if it really slows your car down, i mean theoretically it is slower, but if it keeps you in a gear longer through the traps or keeps you from spinning, then it will make it faster in the real world..



i would just get better tires though

 

Fixed it for you

On the street and if I can stay in 4th on the track, it will be faster, time will prove it...

 

Congrats man! I need to check with them on a gear install as well.

 

good review.. iam in the works of getting someone with a auto to trade me, but iam in no hurry since it was -6 today.

 

Nice write-up!

 

Lets see some videos..