I need "documentation" for justify'g stage I to hubby..

[jbr927]

:help:

I want to do the Stage 1. Hubby wants to know what the "Pros & Cons" are... We have gotten some concerning feedback about the gears & gas mileage. If any, all of you could fill me in on your experiences.

I had planned on talking to Dennis today and didn't have any luck getting through. I will try again Wednesday, but it's tough @ work to make outgoing calls.

The sooner I can sell that this is the right idea for what we/I want out of the MM; the sooner I can place the order!!!

Thx - you all are a true blessing!!!

Jacki

[BillyGman]

all I can tell you is that I first switched to the 4.10 gears in the rear end of my Marauder which are the same ones that are included in the Reinhart stage1 package, and I didn't see a big change in gas mileage at all. Infact, I was getting 17MPG around town w/the stock 3.55 gears, and after installing the chip, gear, sparkplugs, and cooler thermostat from Dennis, I was getting 15.5 MPG around town consistently. Now it wasn't until I got extreme and replaced the 4.10 gears w/4.56's that I began to only get 13MPG around town:rolleyes: (but I expected that). With the stage 1 package(including the 4.10 gears) I reduced my quartermile times(according to the "G-tech" GPS device that I use) .50 seconds from the bone stock set-up. It wasn't a huge difference that I felt as soon as I got behind the wheel though. It's a difference that I only noticed if I got into a little race with someone on the way to work who I had raced before. The one difference that I noticed as far as the way my car felt, is that the chip made the transmission shift harder, and therefore it was easier to chirp the tires going into second gear(however I still usuallyhad to shift manually to do that). I hope this helps you. But you cannot get the gears w/out getting the chip, since the chip will correct the speedometer error that the gears would otherwise create, as well as correct the shift points at wide open throttle that the gears would also throw off.(But keep in mind that Dennis's chip will correct those things, as would some other chips, however NOT all chips will make those corrections);)

[Murader03]

Jacki:

See my post listed as stage 1. It was to have ben a reply to your post, but didn't come out that way. Must have hit the wrong button!

[martyo]

Jacki:

If you can't convince him, just get a new husband. It's that simple.

[BillyGman]

Originally posted by martyo
Jacki:

If you can't convince him, just get a new husband. It's that simple.

Yeah, for a woman who's a performance car fanatic, maybe I'll volunteer:D

[martyo]

Originally posted by BillyGman
Yeah, for a woman who's a performance car fanatic, maybe I'll volunteer:D

Get in line Billy, I was here first! :D

[LincMercLover]

:shake:

[MAD-3R]

Down boys, down.

Sorry for the lack of manors that some of our members displayd here. For the most part they are good guys.

The Stage one kit will more then likely IMPROVE your gas milage, IF you can keep your foot off the floor. THe gear differance isn't that great for the size of the tires and weight of the car, and the program that Dennis offers improve the shift points and acceleration so that you get to cruising speed faster and spend less time accelerting/

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by MAD-3R
Down boys, down. Sorry for the lack of manners that some of our members display here. For the most part they are good guys.

The Stage one kit will more then likely IMPROVE your gas milage, IF you can keep your foot off the floor. The gear differance isn't that great for the size of the tires and weight of the car, and the program that Dennis offers improve the shift points and acceleration so that you get to cruising speed faster and spend less time accelerting/

I agree with Mad, Jacki. If you calculate the potential of Reinhart's Stage I kit, in theory you should enjoy an improvement in MPG. Making the drive line more efficient requires less effort from the engine, and you get better performance from less gasoline.

However, here's the rub (there is always a rub witht his car), you'll enjoy the improvements so much, you won't stop poking the throttle, and that will reduce the MPG benefits of the Stage I kit. Best to think of it as "smiles per gallon." Nonetheless, you will not lose any serious MPG over the OEM rating.

Jeeze Louise...You guys are sad. I've been wearing a skirt for years, and y'all haven't flirted with me!

[Dr Caleb]

Originally posted by SergntMac
I've been wearing a skirt for years, and y'all haven't flirted with me!

We've seen pictures of your drumsticks :)

[martyo]

Originally posted by SergntMac
I've been wearing a skirt for years, and y'all haven't flirted with me!

Don't give me too much chocolate in Hershey or you never know what will hapen!


:lol:

[Petrograde]

Originally posted by martyo
Don't give me too much chocolate in Hershey or you never know what will hapen!


:lol:

Yuck Marty! :puke:

BTW .... HAPPY FREAKIN' BIRTHDAY!

[Dennis Reinhart]

You guys are NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by Dennis Reinhart
You guys are NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep...And it's mostly your fault!

[Constable]

Everyone has done the pro's & con's for you already, so here's a HUGE freakin PRO:

15.15 @ 94 mph stock

14.19 @ 97.7 mph with ONLY stage 1. On a cool day, my tires will scream in terror off the line, EVERY 2nd gear shift (3/4 to full throttle) results in a nice loud bark. EVERY 3rd gear shift is rock solid. I honestly cannot believe the chip & 4.10's has made as much of a difference as it has. Oh yea, 22 mpg!!!

[Marauderman]

From drumsticks to nuts--next we'll be getting all squirlly here from all these bits and pieces......

[Smokie]

Jacki I will provide a slightly different point of view, I have the Reinhart programming, the Denso plugs and the stat. My mileage is 17 mpg city/24 highway. I have the stock rear end, and my car burns rubber from dead start (no brake pedal) at will, manual 1-2 shift breaks rear loose and 2-3 gets a chirp. The shifts are all rock solid. I have no doubt that the gears will make the car launch faster, so I guess it depends on what your goals are. Either way what Reinhart has to offer is fantastic and gears or not you will be very happy with results. :D

[Ross]

Heck, Sarge, I bought you a beer in Ennis and even winked at you, but I guess I'm too short for you! :alone: :lol:

[jbr927]

ROFL!!! You all have made waht was a very long day much better.

New question from Hubby - the shifting being "harder"? How does this effect the trans? It was mentioned to me about some QC issues from the factory w/ trans, does the change in how the car shifts set me up for other costly issues? I know theres always a risk with any car, changes or no changes. Just wondering if there's any info either way...

O' re: get rid of hubby? He spoils me rotten, sometimes he has has to say no or maybe first, but in time he comes through for me.

We are concidering waiting through winter to make changes. I've been driving big 4x4's for the last 8 years. I think I need to get use to this as is before I add more power.

Snow tires and wheels are mounted, just waiting for me to give up the car for a day to switch.

Thx for ALL of the support :)

Jax

Ross: Noticed Fellowship of Christian Cowboys, one of the best teachings I experienced was @ Quarter Horse Congress last year. Trully life changing.

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by jbr927
New question from Hubby - the shifting being "harder"? How does this effect the trans? It was mentioned to me about some QC issues from the factory w/ trans, does the change in how the car shifts set me up for other costly issues?

jbr:

The main enemy of your transmission is heat. By firming up the shifts, the clutch packs don't have to slip as much while the trans makes up its mind what gear it wants to be in, so there is less wear on the clutches and less heat generated. This will actually prolong the life of the trans vs. the stock programming. The issues that some have had with things breaking are related to poor QC on the as-sembly line, or sub-standard parts supplied by a vendor (to Ford). It is highly recommended that the fluid and filter be changed more often than the owner's manual calls for, and if you plan on doing anything more than the Stage 1 mods, add a trans cooler. Dennis sells one now, and I am going to order it right after I get back from Hershey...

[cyclone03]

Originally posted by Smokie
Jacki I will provide a slightly different point of view, I have the Reinhart programming, the Denso plugs and the stat. My mileage is 17 mpg city/24 highway. I have the stock rear end, and my car burns rubber from dead start (no brake pedal) at will, manual 1-2 shift breaks rear loose and 2-3 gets a chirp. The shifts are all rock solid. I have no doubt that the gears will make the car launch faster, so I guess it depends on what your goals are. Either way what Reinhart has to offer is fantastic and gears or not you will be very happy with results. :D


I second all of the above.
I also have a trans cooler on mine.
The most noticable change is how the Trans/car behaves with the new programing,the trans now "feels"more stick like,it holds gears longer,and is not so quick to down shift.When you"tip" into the throttle the car accellerates,pulls,without a down shift.Plus it has the power to pull the gear.If you put it to the floor the downshifts still come.
Something I find fun is to roll up to about 35-40mph then nail it and just spin the rears up to about 60mph.
Childish?Hell yea,but fun.Mine does that without a gear change!

[CRUZTAKER]

Jacki: Check your PM'S

-Barry

[Ross]

Jacki--- it's great to see someone else who goes to Cowboy Church at rodeos, ropings, horse events, etc. Maybe I'll send you a tape or CD of Christian songs I've written and recorded. Unfortunately, Sarge's bagpipe band wasn't available for the accompaniment! If you and hubby can be down in Houston in March, my wife and I will take you to the HUGE Houston Rodeo. BTW, you won't need those snow tires to drive in Houston!