95 auto gear upgrade question...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
95 auto gear upgrade question...
I am thinking about doing a gear upgrade I currently have a 95 auto with 2.59 gears. I understand that the auto has the Dana 36 and that running a 3.73 gear can be the end of the rear end. If you keep it to the street and dont burn much rubber will the dana 36 hold together for quite a while?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
From: OH
Re: 95 auto gear upgrade question... (Punto)
I have 3.73s in the rear and 3K stall. Its a lot of fun, was put in by last owner, held up just fine. I don't think you will have a problem on street tires and not going to the track. As long as you don't have much traction on the back (drag radials/slicks) your probably never going to break it.
I will say 3.73s are not exactly gas friendly. I'm getting a little less then 17mpg mostly freeway. Max of 20mpg freeway only. Less if I stomp on it a lot. But we didn't get Vettes for gas economy really did we?
Not sure how 3.73s without a stall converter, sure others will know. But anything is better then 2.59s!
I will say 3.73s are not exactly gas friendly. I'm getting a little less then 17mpg mostly freeway. Max of 20mpg freeway only. Less if I stomp on it a lot. But we didn't get Vettes for gas economy really did we?
Not sure how 3.73s without a stall converter, sure others will know. But anything is better then 2.59s!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Re: 95 auto gear upgrade question... (rsafier)
I just went from 2.59 to 3.73. It's a completely different car now. If it's a daily driver 3.73 might be a bit much. I am going to the gas pump more since the change. As rsafier said,
But we didn't get Vettes for gas economy really did we?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,991
Likes: 2
From: Hanger 18 Taxachusetts
Re: 95 auto gear upgrade question... (rsafier)
But we didn't get Vettes for gas economy really did we?
I didn't get mine BECAUSE of the MPG but when my truck get 11-12MPG and the Vette gets 18 city it has become my economy car :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,515
Likes: 1,302
From: Windermere FL
Re: 95 auto gear upgrade question... (rsafier)
My situation is a little different as I have an l98. I used the stocker stall for years. Worked great with 3.73. I did go with a 2400 converter when I had the tranny rebuilt. That is even better. I'm sure an LT-1 could do better. Not necessary to change the converter too much work. But if you ever need tranny work just make sure it matches your cam too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,294
Likes: 0
From: Amateur driver on open course.
Re: 95 auto gear upgrade question... (Punto)
I went from 2:59's to 3:54 rear gears. The performance difference was immeasurable. As for fuel mileage, I'm in the same boat as you...I didn't buy it for economy.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 0
From: I Hate Tourists FL
Re: 95 auto gear upgrade question... (95AquaC4)
I went to 3.73 from 2.73 with a Yank 2400 stall TC. I love the difference and I have been driving mine for a little over 2 yrs with a D36 with no problems. As far as gas mileage well thats up to you but I get a little over 18 and 20 on the city/highway respectively.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Re: 95 auto gear upgrade question... (Punto)
Yo! Thanks for all the feedback. I am glad to hear it will hold up. I think the 2.59 is just too low even for the auto. Anyone try a move to something like a 3.33? I called around here and one of the corvette shops was talking me down from 3.73 saying it was maybe a bit much for the street. I have not heard of that ratio on here before but I would suspect coming from 2.59 it may get me a compromise of gas milage and performance...and no...i am not obsessed with gas milage but damn look at the pump these days!
T
thanks again.....I have a quote of 1200.00 installed sound fair?
T
thanks again.....I have a quote of 1200.00 installed sound fair?
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Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
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From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: 95 auto gear upgrade question... (Punto)
Go to 3.73. they will stay together as long as your making close to stock HP.
You'll fine these gears will be very street friendly, I drove them for years with a 2600 convertor and really enjoyed the ride.
Anything less than 3.73 and you won't be happy.
You'll fine these gears will be very street friendly, I drove them for years with a 2600 convertor and really enjoyed the ride.
Anything less than 3.73 and you won't be happy.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
Re: 95 auto gear upgrade question... (Punto)
thanks again.....I have a quote of 1200.00 installed sound fair?
As for ratio selection, analyze your driving habits and your tolerence to high rpms. If you spend a lot of time on the interstates or at speed, you may want to stay conservative. Figure out the rpms it will turn at frequently traveled speeds. Try driving around in 3rd, at speed to get a simulation of what it will be like. For racing, I'd love 3.73s or 4.10s (I race every week), but I wouldn't be happy with those gears cruising at 85 mph, which I do often. 3.45 or 3.54 is the ratio for me. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Newnan Ga
Re: 95 auto gear upgrade question... (Punto)
I have two C4's one had a 2.59 and the other had a 3.07. There was a huge difference in power. I just changed the other to a 3.07 also. I was getting 25 mpg highway on the blue one and a little less on the red one. The blue is my daily driver, so I didn't want to go too low a gear on my driver. I gained a lot of power and didn't loose much mpg. I think both are dana 36's. One other cool thing, the dana 36's are a lot cheaper than 44's because everybody thinks they got to have a 44. I bought my 3.07 off ebay and sold the 2.59 on ebay for a dollar less. So, it only cost me $1. It was used but recently rebuilt. I have had a lot of 3.73's in trucks and personally I don't like to turn that many rpm's on the highway. The 3.07 was a great compromise for me. :smash:
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Re: 95 auto gear upgrade question... (87NassauBlue)
OK so I am new anyone have the time to explain the stall/torque converter everyone seems to have:) I am thrilled the Dana 36 is going to hold up to the gear ratio. I appreciate the spirt of those above rallying me to the 3.73's but I am really starting to sence for me the 3.55 or lower may be a better fit. I will continue to shop around but the # of shops that do vettes in seattle are few. Of the two I have asked one said 10-12 hrs labor $ 600.00 parts. The next said 1200.00 parts and labor. I will just keep asking around.
Thanks,
Tony
Thanks,
Tony
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
Re: 95 auto gear upgrade question... (87NassauBlue)
2.59 to 3.07 is a big difference. My 95 vert has 3.07's my friends 94 has 2.59 no comparison... 3.73 is for a dragster IMO you your into draggin you get 3.73. Go wit hthe 3.07's it's a pretty big jump without going overboard.
