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Aug 30, 2002 | 05:34 AM

#21

93 ragtop

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 5,713

Likes: 105

From: Manassas VA

Re: Gears... (silver & red CE)

Quote:

I always get a kick out of the 3.73 vs 3.54 debate. I have a 96 Impala SS, it has an iron headed LT1 and the same trans as a Vette. It's my family/work ride. I installed 3.73s in it along with a 2500 RPM converter and a Trans-Go shift kit. How anyone would want 3.54s in an LT1 Vette is beyond me :cheers:

Eric

I went 3.54 for 2 reasons. 1. I got the rebuilt diff. from zip for $759.00 and everywhere else I was looking that sold the 3.73 diff., IE: MAD, Ikerds, etc. was $1295.00 2. After talking to Justin, at Zip, he said the 3.54 holds up a little better then the 3.73. It has to do with the larger pinion gear. Call him and he will be glad to explain it to you.
I dont understand why there is such a debate between the 3.54 and 3.73. There is less then 5% difference in the two. Yes, I would have perfered to have had the 3.73 but not for the price difference and then, what Justin explained to me was icing on the cake. By the way, the 92 LT1 auto Vette that TPIS uses to test with has the 3.54 gear in it.

Aug 30, 2002 | 09:37 AM

#22

silver & red CE

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 3,418

Likes: 1

From: NW Chicago Suburbs

Re: Gears... (Red 86 4+3)

Quote:

...what Justin explained to me was icing on the cake....

Justin also claims you shouldn't have a drain plug in your Dana case because it will weaken it to the point where it will not be strong enough to hold up under load. But if you look at 600HP road race Vettes, they have at least 2 holes for the diff oil cooler. He seems like a nice guy, but when he makes claims like this it makes me wonder. He should speak with the E-town boys who ran over 200 sub 13 second runs on their Dana 36s with 3.73.

Eric

Aug 30, 2002 | 09:26 PM

#23

BACKDOC

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 21

Likes: 0

Re: Gears... (silver & red CE)

OK Fella's The deed is done. I went with the 3.73's and I have an appointment for installation next Thursday. I will keep you posted on the results. One year unlimited mile warranty is not too shabby I guess!
Hey by the way, What about the RPM's at around 65 or so. Anyone have any info for me? :yesnod:

Aug 30, 2002 | 11:11 PM

#24

Hardcorvette

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 3,420

Likes: 0

From: Lancaster County PA

St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10

Re: Gears... (BACKDOC)

Quote:

What about the RPM's at around 65 or so. Anyone have any info for me? :yesnod:

With 3.73's, you should redline line at 70mph. :jester

Aug 31, 2002 | 12:12 AM

#25

BACKDOC

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 21

Likes: 0

Re: Gears... (Hardcorvette)

Always a clown in the bunch! :smash:

Aug 31, 2002 | 02:42 PM

#26

Drewdog

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 6,473

Likes: 1

From: Cleveland

Cruise-In III Veteran

Cruise-In IV Veteran

Re: Gears... (BACKDOC)

you could try this http://www.fordmuscle.com/calculator/rpm.shtml

Aug 31, 2002 | 04:10 PM

#27

EDMGUY

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 779

Likes: 0

From: West Point Utah

Re: Gears... (Drewdog)

what the O.D. of your tire or tire size? :cheers:

Aug 31, 2002 | 05:56 PM

#28

silver & red CE

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 3,418

Likes: 1

From: NW Chicago Suburbs

Re: Gears... (BACKDOC)

Quote:

...What about the RPM's at around 65 or so. Anyone have any info for me?

It's a linear relationship. If you had 2.59, then to calculate the new RPM with 3.73 just multiply the old RPM at 60MPH by 3.73/2.59 or 1.44 to get the new RPM with 3.73. If your old gear is 3.07, multiply the old RPM with 3.07 by 3.73/3.07 or 1.21 to get the new RPM with 3.73.

IMHO, you are adding one of the two most important mods, the other being a looser torque converter. I have a 2,500 stall speed converter in my Impala SS (with the iron headed LT1) and that combined with the 3.73 gear have made more difference than all of my other mods out together. A shift kit is another get mod, esp after adding the looser TC and the lower gears.

Eric

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Aug 31, 2002 | 10:19 PM

#29

BACKDOC

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 21

Likes: 0

Re: Gears... (silver & red CE)

I appreciate your help! I will also consider these other mods. For now I'm looking forward to the new gears and will be back to post the turnout!!!
Thanx fellas! :D

Aug 31, 2002 | 10:53 PM

#30

Hardcorvette

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 3,420

Likes: 0

From: Lancaster County PA

St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10

Re: Gears... (BACKDOC)

Yes, let us know! I also have the 2.59's in my '96. Although it has great off the line acceleration, I'm sure there is room for much improvement. :yesnod:
I was leaning towards the 3.07's but who knows...

Sep 1, 2002 | 12:15 AM

#31

Drewdog

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 6,473

Likes: 1

From: Cleveland

Cruise-In III Veteran

Cruise-In IV Veteran

Re: Gears... (Hardcorvette)

3.73s are my next mod. A whole bunch of my friends have them in their Mustangs and they seem very streetable to me.

Sep 1, 2002 | 10:23 AM

#32

red-y

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 1,407

Likes: 0

From: Houston TX

Re: Gears... (silver & red CE)

[QUOTE]...What about the RPM's at around 65 or so. Anyone have any info for me?

2500RPM at 70MPH :seeya

Sep 1, 2002 | 10:09 PM

#33

Fuzzy Dice

Race Director

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 19,653

Likes: 428

From: Melbourne Florida

Cruise-In IV Veteran

Re: Gears... (red-y)

..I have 3:73's/shiftkit and it's my daily driver...plus I take road trips (last one was 1800 miles)..averaged 24-25 mpg...as for the difference you'll feel, I'm just waitin' for your "Holy Moly !!!" post the day you pick the car up... :D ...good luck