Which gear should I run??
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 2
From: Outer banks North Carolina
Which gear should I run??
I have a bone stock 97 with 2.73 gears. I am going to change to 3.42s or 3.73s. I am also going to install a better air intake systom and get a professional tune. The car is mainly a dailey driver but I will also be running a few friday night test and tunes at the local 1/8th mile strip. I will stick with the stock convertor but will be running some street slicks as I will probably have some traction issues [I hope!] Any idea what I should exspect performance wise? both 1/8th and 1/4?
thanks, Dave
thanks, Dave
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,061
Likes: 38
From: Menifee CA
if u gonna drag go all the way, get 410s 
or if you wanna save some $$ get used 342s
i dont see the point of gettin 373s and paying full price for it when u can get a good used pumpkin with 342s for 500-600$
or if you wanna save some $$ get used 342s
i dont see the point of gettin 373s and paying full price for it when u can get a good used pumpkin with 342s for 500-600$
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 3
From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I don't know why GM would ever put 2:73's in these cars. 
As a bare minimum it should have come with 3:42's but I think an optimum factory gear for automatics is 3:73.
If you're going to be racing the car regularly then 3:90's or even 4:11's should be strongly considered. Keep in mind these gears will limit the amount of highway use because you'll be reeving allot higher.
If you swap out the 2:73's for 4:11's and throw on a pair of slicks you better hang on cause you're in for quite a surprise.
As a bare minimum it should have come with 3:42's but I think an optimum factory gear for automatics is 3:73.
If you're going to be racing the car regularly then 3:90's or even 4:11's should be strongly considered. Keep in mind these gears will limit the amount of highway use because you'll be reeving allot higher.
If you swap out the 2:73's for 4:11's and throw on a pair of slicks you better hang on cause you're in for quite a surprise.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,506
Likes: 5
From: West Michigan crew Mich
CI 7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08 & '12
My car is a daily driver and I have 3.73s and love them. Now you might want to rethink the converter to get the most out of the gears
