Is there any way to change the drive ratio in a front wheel drive car, like a Grand Am or a Lumina? With a rear drive you change the rear gears - what do you do with front drive?

They also have a ring and pinion gear of sorts, but more disassembly is required to access them, since in most front wheel drive cars the tranny and rear end are combined in the transaxle.

most g.m. transaxle had a couple differant final drive ratios offered. not that easy to change as it's the last thing to come out except on newer 4T60E. also some had differant tooth count on the drive & driven chain sprocket. not as far into the tranny but still need to know what you're doing. best bet is to visit local wecking yard of ck out hollander interchange & see what RPO codes will fit your rig.
bc

Change the front gears.

Actually that's it.

Depending on what actual transaxle you have there are some that were used for 'showroom stock' type racing, those IIRC had a different final. AFAIK thought they were all manual boxes for that.

What are you trying to achieve with the change?

I'm looking for quicker acceleration and a lower elapsed time on the drag strip. NHRA has separate classes for front wheel drive cars and I'v been thinking about building a car for E/FS, which has the highest ET index in Stock Eliminator.

If you haven't already done it, use the smallest diameter front wheel (actually the tire OD) you can find that gives traction.
This not only increases torque multiplication throughout the run (all gears), but improves aero by lowering the nose, and reduces weight transfer.

By using a smaller OD for a front tire,you will have less of a tire contact patch to the ground. Will probably spin more unless you have slicks or sticky M/T drag radials or others.

Wheelie bars really help for traction on FWD cars.

Two cents thrown


MBHD

Yes, I've noticed the prevalence of 28" front wheels on those 9 second Hondas...