Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

2.73 vs 3.15

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 2, 2005 | 10:52 PM
  #21  
Wisdom's Avatar
Wisdom
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
Default

Before I bought my 2004 coupe, I test drove it. It had the 3.15's. Then I test drove other vettes at another dealership looking for price and options. The 2.73's seemed sluggish. I went back to my original 1st car and bought it. Now, the difference could have been that the dealership that I test drove the 3.15 car let me and my wife do the test drive. But the dealership with the 2.73 cars only let me drive with the 200+ lb salesman. So there was at least a 70-100 lb weight difference between the vehicle loads on the test drives. Would that have made a difference? No idea... But I like what I bought!

- Wisdom
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2005 | 11:02 PM
  #22  
Dark-Knight's Avatar
Dark-Knight
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,133
Likes: 1
From: ~The DARKSIDE Group~
Default

In a A4 I've always liked 3.73 gears for get-up and go without sacrificing street and interstate hwy driving.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2005 | 03:39 AM
  #23  
JadeDragon's Avatar
JadeDragon
Pro
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 620
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles CA
Default

Great thread!

Changing out my '97 A-4's Granny 2.73's is my next mod. Hopefully very soon.

I am still trying to decide between the 3.42's vs the 3.73's. I want the most I can get out of my Vette, not all that concerned about Gas mileage, although I plan a drive to Texas from Los Angeles some time in the next year.

Should I wait to switch the gears until after that long drive? Its not gonna put any undue stress on the engine or anything going a long distance with the shorter gears, will it? Like I said, the extra gas wont kill me, and Id rather have the performance.

Is there ANY downside to going all the way with 3.73's besides the gas punishment? Anybody have an idea on the cost difference vs 3.42's? Will 3.73's still be under 2 grand?

I feel like if Im gonna make the change, might as well go ALL THE WAY, BROTHER!

Thanks! Any advice is most welcome!~~~JadeDragon
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2005 | 07:22 AM
  #24  
byte_me's Avatar
byte_me
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Photogenic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,510
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
Default

Originally Posted by JadeDragon
Great thread!

Changing out my '97 A-4's Granny 2.73's is my next mod. Hopefully very soon.

I am still trying to decide between the 3.42's vs the 3.73's. I want the most I can get out of my Vette, not all that concerned about Gas mileage, although I plan a drive to Texas from Los Angeles some time in the next year.

Should I wait to switch the gears until after that long drive? Its not gonna put any undue stress on the engine or anything going a long distance with the shorter gears, will it? Like I said, the extra gas wont kill me, and Id rather have the performance.

Is there ANY downside to going all the way with 3.73's besides the gas punishment? Anybody have an idea on the cost difference vs 3.42's? Will 3.73's still be under 2 grand?

I feel like if Im gonna make the change, might as well go ALL THE WAY, BROTHER!

Thanks! Any advice is most welcome!~~~JadeDragon
I think the 3:73's may be a little more expensive, the reason being is that they are not a "stock" if you will gear set...thus you would have to buy just the gears and then have them installed into your carrier- also, you having 2:73's your carrier is smaller then a 3:15 carrier so not all places are willing to do the swap do to the size difference. Some threads have been going around on this very topic...3:73 into a 2:73 carrier. The main thing you would notice on the different gears is the RPM's at higher speed...the faster you go, the more the engine spins due to the gears. Right now (with my 3:15's) I can do 85MPH @ 2500RPM's...I hear that would be closer to 3000RPM with 3:73's so this would eat up your gas milage a little bit.

I was thinking about doing 3:42's in my 97- the reason being that you can buy a brand new Z06 rear from Fred Beans with hardened output shaft for a little less then a grand...this beats trying to get someone to install 3:73's into the carrier that I hear is not as easy as it was on a solid rear axel or older vette rear.

Most people will say do the gears, but while you are in there...put in a higher stall torque converter...then you have an animal on your hands!
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2005 | 07:45 AM
  #25  
NCSU SEE 5's Avatar
NCSU SEE 5
Drifting
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro, NC "REALITY IS MERELY AN ILLUSION, ALBEIT A VERY PERSISTENT ONE"...ALBERT EINSTEIN"
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Default

Originally Posted by VLVETTE
$1100 for new Z06 3.42s Used around $500
$400-$500 install
$50-$100 fluids and seals
$100-$500 Tune and set shift points and other parameters.

Any where from $1000-$2000 depending on if you go new or used and the type of tuning you get (setting shift points is a must) Basic, Handheld, Dyno tune etc.
Anyway you do it you wont be sorry my car runs like it should now it gets up and SCOOOOTS!
I went from 2.73s to the 3.42s. Going from 3.15s might not be as an impressive of a jump.
Thanks for the info. Based on those costs I will need to wait a bit. I still have 28 months of warranty to worry about as well.

.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2005 | 08:27 AM
  #26  
StuzVette's Avatar
StuzVette
Cherish your Hopes...
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,074
Likes: 236
From: West Palm Beach FL
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Default

either are rather docile...
...but I would go with 3.15 jsut to have a moderately more responsive launch...

top end...not really affected so much you will realize a difference in 99.9% of your driving experiences...
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2005 | 11:34 AM
  #27  
C5XTASY's Avatar
C5XTASY
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
Default

Originally Posted by NCSU SEE 5
Thanks for the info. Based on those costs I will need to wait a bit. I still have 28 months of warranty to worry about as well.

.
If you're interested, as I've had a H/C package installed in my car, i'll be doing a gear change this Fall/early Winter, before storing the car. I will have a set of perfect 3.15's (entire differential assembly) available, much cheaper than you can buy anything else for. PM or email me if your interested. Would prefer a local pickup, but would consider shipping.
Ed
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2005 | 11:50 AM
  #28  
NCSU SEE 5's Avatar
NCSU SEE 5
Drifting
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro, NC "REALITY IS MERELY AN ILLUSION, ALBEIT A VERY PERSISTENT ONE"...ALBERT EINSTEIN"
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Default

Originally Posted by C5XTASY
If you're interested, as I've had a H/C package installed in my car, i'll be doing a gear change this Fall/early Winter, before storing the car. I will have a set of perfect 3.15's (entire differential assembly) available, much cheaper than you can buy anything else for. PM or email me if your interested. Would prefer a local pickup, but would consider shipping.
Ed
You have Mail!
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 3, 2005 | 11:54 AM
  #29  
Mike Mercury's Avatar
Mike Mercury
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Default

Originally Posted by JadeDragon
Is there ANY downside to going all the way with 3.73's besides the gas punishment?
*exhaust drone on the highway due to the higher RPM's (mostly on cars with aftermarket exhausts).

*car can get out-of-control more easily if the driver doesn't think before mashing the pedal. (only important for those still wanting to drive a "no brainer" car).
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2005 | 02:08 PM
  #30  
C5XTASY's Avatar
C5XTASY
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
Default

Originally Posted by NCSU SEE 5
You have Mail!
Back at you!
Ed
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2005 | 09:37 AM
  #31  
NCSU SEE 5's Avatar
NCSU SEE 5
Drifting
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro, NC "REALITY IS MERELY AN ILLUSION, ALBEIT A VERY PERSISTENT ONE"...ALBERT EINSTEIN"
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Default

Originally Posted by C5XTASY
Back at you!
Ed

Nothing on my end. Might need to use the Forum's PM

Thanks again!
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2005 | 02:22 PM
  #32  
NCSU SEE 5's Avatar
NCSU SEE 5
Drifting
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro, NC "REALITY IS MERELY AN ILLUSION, ALBEIT A VERY PERSISTENT ONE"...ALBERT EINSTEIN"
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Default

Sent you a Forum PM.

Thanks!
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2005 | 05:24 PM
  #33  
RocketKing's Avatar
RocketKing
Thread Starter
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: AR
Default

Thanks for all the information. Looks like 3.15's are the way to go.
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:11 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE