2.73 vs 3.15
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: AR
2.73 vs 3.15
I am looking for some info. I have heard that IF a person should go with an A4 that the axel should be 3.15. Is that something that you guys agree with or not? Just looking for opinions. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,484
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From: Morgan Hill Ca.
Ya go wid what ev-a-floats your boat! 2:73s are nice for that top end and easy on the engine on those long hauls. 3:15s will get you up there a little bit quicker, but you will turn a few more RRrrrrrrr's go-in down the highway.
If you have 2:73s and want to do the quarter quicker, I would skip going to the 3:15 and go straight to the 3:42 or 3:73. or if you have the 3:15 go straight to the 3:73.
The 3:15 will be a couple of tenths quicker than the 2:73, and the 3:42 a couple more than the 3:15 etc.
Gas milage does not suffer that much as these are pretty normal ratios. With the 3:42 and 3:73 you may want to think about adding a higher stall TQ at the same time. It is cheaper to do them both at once than to do one than the other.
If you have 2:73s and want to do the quarter quicker, I would skip going to the 3:15 and go straight to the 3:42 or 3:73. or if you have the 3:15 go straight to the 3:73.
The 3:15 will be a couple of tenths quicker than the 2:73, and the 3:42 a couple more than the 3:15 etc.
Gas milage does not suffer that much as these are pretty normal ratios. With the 3:42 and 3:73 you may want to think about adding a higher stall TQ at the same time. It is cheaper to do them both at once than to do one than the other.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,876
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From: Ghent
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by BlueDragon
Ya go wid what ev-a-floats your boat! 2:73s are nice for that top end and easy on the engine on those long hauls. 3:15s will get you up there a little bit quicker, but you will turn a few more RRrrrrrrr's go-in down the highway.
If you have 2:73s and want to do the quarter quicker, I would skip going to the 3:15 and go straight to the 3:42 or 3:73. or if you have the 3:15 go straight to the 3:73.
The 3:15 will be a couple of tenths quicker than the 2:73, and the 3:42 a couple more than the 3:15 etc.
Gas milage does not suffer that much as these are pretty normal ratios. With the 3:42 and 3:73 you may want to think about adding a higher stall TQ at the same time. It is cheaper to do them both at once than to do one than the other.
If you have 2:73s and want to do the quarter quicker, I would skip going to the 3:15 and go straight to the 3:42 or 3:73. or if you have the 3:15 go straight to the 3:73.
The 3:15 will be a couple of tenths quicker than the 2:73, and the 3:42 a couple more than the 3:15 etc.
Gas milage does not suffer that much as these are pretty normal ratios. With the 3:42 and 3:73 you may want to think about adding a higher stall TQ at the same time. It is cheaper to do them both at once than to do one than the other.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Ya 2:73s are nice for that top end...
.
Last edited by Mike Mercury; Aug 1, 2005 at 10:58 PM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Putting a 50¢ sticker of the U.S. Flag on a $50,000 import does not make one a patriot.
3.73's
Ive had mine for a month now and just got back from a trip to Wyoming(from Phoenix), I absolutely love them! And I am picky.
AZC5
Ive had mine for a month now and just got back from a trip to Wyoming(from Phoenix), I absolutely love them! And I am picky.
AZC5
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 995
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From: Troy MI
If your looking at used cars and aren't going to mess with changing gears on your own, I would try to find one with a 3.15. But if you find a perfect car with a 2.73 you won't be dissapointed either. I believe there were less made with 3.15's because of gas/mileage restrictions. Also most of my buddies that had 2.73 gears switched up to the 3.42(which is the Manual gearing from the factory) and everyone else that had 3.15's switched to 3.73's or 4.10's for more out of the hole!!
I personally have the 3.15 and LOVE IT!!!! Still get mid to high 20's on the Highway!!!
I personally have the 3.15 and LOVE IT!!!! Still get mid to high 20's on the Highway!!!
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Safety Car
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From: Coconut Creek FL
Originally Posted by RocketKing
I am looking for some info. I have heard that IF a person should go with an A4 that the axel should be 3.15. Is that something that you guys agree with or not? Just looking for opinions. Thanks.
I probably get a little less gas milage then the 2:73 does, but hell I bought a Vette- not a Civic so who cares about 5MPG more really? I still get 28MPG on the highway at normal speed. And I can turn 85MPH @ 2500RPM which is not too bad at all!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Nashville TN
I have the 3.15s, but I have driven a couple of 2.73 cars and there is a very feelable difference going to the 3.15s. It makes a bigger difference than you would think! DO NOT buy a 2.73 car without first driving one with 3.15s -- unless you have the money to swap diffs and get a converter.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
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From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
Originally Posted by 1g1yy
I have the 3.15s, but I have driven a couple of 2.73 cars and there is a very feelable difference going to the 3.15s. It makes a bigger difference than you would think! DO NOT buy a 2.73 car without first driving one with 3.15s -- unless you have the money to swap diffs and get a converter.
Chris
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The 3.15 gears will give you better performance. A popular upgrade is to change out either the 2.73 or 3.15 rear end for a 3.42 or lower gear ratio.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Originally Posted by chaase
I test drove an auto w/2.73, and immediately decided that the 3.15's were a required option, noticeable difference in performance.
Chris
Chris
Jut like you... I can tell right-away the diff between the two.
.
here is my web page with some starter info on rear axle ratio upgrades:
http://mikemercury.home.att.net/342.htm
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Roswell Ga
Originally Posted by RocketKing
I am looking for some info. I have heard that IF a person should go with an A4 that the axel should be 3.15. Is that something that you guys agree with or not? Just looking for opinions. Thanks.
Unless you just like the idea of spending about $1500 to upgrade.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
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I recently changed my 2.73 station wagon gears to the 3.42, no T/C change. The gears were GM new z06, warrenty were $1100, labor $500, then a preditor tuner for $400 (you have to do this if you change the 2.73 gears. So it costs quite a bit. So if you have not yet bought your vette, avoid the 2.73 gears. But, if you like highway driving only,and getting great mileage, then the 2.73 are fine. Otherwise, avoid them. When I got my new vette in 03, I had no idea about these. I should have done some research first. Believe what everyone on this post is telling you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,137
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From: Insane Diego Kalifonya Baby
Originally Posted by NCSU SEE 5
What kind of money is involved in making the switch to 3:15's of 3:42's? .
$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.
Last edited by VLVETTE; Aug 2, 2005 at 08:58 PM.
Instructor
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From: Jonesboro LA
Autocrossing
If you even think that you might try autocrossing (and you should because it is a blast) consider the 2.73. With the 3:15, 2nd is too high for autocross courses and I am constantly hitting the rev limiter when driving in 1st. With the 2.73 you would have a bit more top end in 1st while giving a little in initial acceleration.
Most would recommend the M6 for autocrossing but with the A4, you have one less worry.
Typically, I prefer our Miata in Autocross as the C5 is a bit much for my (lack of) talents. So, I really like my A4 with the 3:15, drove it to the USGP and it was plenty of gear.
Most would recommend the M6 for autocrossing but with the A4, you have one less worry.
Typically, I prefer our Miata in Autocross as the C5 is a bit much for my (lack of) talents. So, I really like my A4 with the 3:15, drove it to the USGP and it was plenty of gear.
