3.73 Gears question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 4
From: Wesley Chapel FL
3.73 Gears question
Anyone have experience with 3.73 gears in an A4? Considering buying a car that has them along with headers & Borla Stingers. Got some info from the seller, but wondering what others have to say. Is the drive-ability for a DD still decent with those? How is the interior cabin at highway speeds with those gears & exhaust etc? Weekly routine would be confined to a 6 mile commute but I do a lot of driving on the weekends and trips. Any feedback on your experiences appreciated.
Last edited by lockmart; Aug 18, 2007 at 09:18 PM. Reason: More info on exhaust
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
3.90 gears in an A4 = heaven (for me) 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,383
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From: The real question is; When you turn your car on, does it return the favor..
Cruise-In VIII & IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Do it, that's all I have to say.
Just did AR Headers and 3.73 gears. ECS did the install for me and after the break in the ride back home was great, 150 + miles.... I have GHL Bullets as a cat back system and at crusing speed I was able to talk on the phone no problem. But jump on it and you know it.... WOW Factor.....
Just did AR Headers and 3.73 gears. ECS did the install for me and after the break in the ride back home was great, 150 + miles.... I have GHL Bullets as a cat back system and at crusing speed I was able to talk on the phone no problem. But jump on it and you know it.... WOW Factor.....
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Yes.
Yes.
We all have different tolerance levels. If you want stock like sound at cruise, do not swap from 2.73/3.15 to 3.73.
If, however, you are willing to make some compromises - then just do it. You will love it
Stephen
We all have different tolerance levels. If you want stock like sound at cruise, do not swap from 2.73/3.15 to 3.73.
If, however, you are willing to make some compromises - then just do it. You will love it
Stephen
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 4
From: Wesley Chapel FL
How much MPG loss? Rough estimate? I guess I just need to drive the car first and go from there, it is a 6 hr round trip but I have a feeling it will be worth it. I'm all for more performance and mean sound, but I have limits if it gets too rough.
Last edited by lockmart; Aug 18, 2007 at 09:35 PM.
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 233
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From: Pleasanton CA
I just did went from 3.15's to 3.73's, installed long tube headers and got a dyno tune at the same time. I have an A4 like you do. Looks like the bathroom remodel will have to wait.
Anyway, I was trying to decide between 3.42's and 3.73's, I talked to a couple of guys who went to 3.42's and both wished they had gone up to 3.73's - just not enough difference they said going up just one step.
I went with the 3.73's and boy am I glad!! It really woke up the car and improved acceleration a lot. RPM's are about 300 higher on the freeway at 70 mph and I have to put my foot in it more to keep the car up to speed. It isn't a cruiser anymore, it has more of a race car feel, and with the headers it it sounds mean.
If I drove the car everyday over long distances I wouldn't have done this. I use my wifes' car to go to work and just drive the vette nights and weekends so mileage isn't a concern for me.
Anyway, I was trying to decide between 3.42's and 3.73's, I talked to a couple of guys who went to 3.42's and both wished they had gone up to 3.73's - just not enough difference they said going up just one step.
I went with the 3.73's and boy am I glad!! It really woke up the car and improved acceleration a lot. RPM's are about 300 higher on the freeway at 70 mph and I have to put my foot in it more to keep the car up to speed. It isn't a cruiser anymore, it has more of a race car feel, and with the headers it it sounds mean.
If I drove the car everyday over long distances I wouldn't have done this. I use my wifes' car to go to work and just drive the vette nights and weekends so mileage isn't a concern for me.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,664
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From: Wellsboro Pa
I just went from 2.73 to 3.42 gears and I'm quite happy with the change. I may change my mind after Wayne takes me for a ride in his 3.73's that he just had put in though. Get out of the 2.72's, you'll be happy tht you did!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: The real question is; When you turn your car on, does it return the favor..
Cruise-In VIII & IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
I can tell you this, crusing back from ECS around 150 miles I got around 22.5 miles to the gallon. Some what less then my 3.15's but the performance on the car is amazing. I guess if you want great MPG get a Toyota. Still at 22 MPG it's not that bad but it's a lot of fun when you jump on it.
Bruce, If I take you for a ride in mine you may be going back to see Chris for 3.73's....
But I will you will enjoy it. Hope the weather is with us next week.....
Bruce, If I take you for a ride in mine you may be going back to see Chris for 3.73's....
But I will you will enjoy it. Hope the weather is with us next week.....
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 18,682
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I can tell you this, crusing back from ECS around 150 miles I got around 22.5 miles to the gallon. Some what less then my 3.15's but the performance on the car is amazing. I guess if you want great MPG get a Toyota. Still at 22 MPG it's not that bad but it's a lot of fun when you jump on it.
Bruce, If I take you for a ride in mine you may be going back to see Chris for 3.73's.... But I will you will enjoy it. Hope the weather is with us next week.....
Bruce, If I take you for a ride in mine you may be going back to see Chris for 3.73's....
But I will you will enjoy it. Hope the weather is with us next week.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,383
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From: The real question is; When you turn your car on, does it return the favor..
Cruise-In VIII & IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18,308
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From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
I can tell you this, crusing back from ECS around 150 miles I got around 22.5 miles to the gallon. Some what less then my 3.15's but the performance on the car is amazing. I guess if you want great MPG get a Toyota. Still at 22 MPG it's not that bad but it's a lot of fun when you jump on it.
Bruce, If I take you for a ride in mine you may be going back to see Chris for 3.73's.... But I will you will enjoy it. Hope the weather is with us next week.....
Bruce, If I take you for a ride in mine you may be going back to see Chris for 3.73's....
But I will you will enjoy it. Hope the weather is with us next week.....Don't I get a ride too?
Still on the fence with 3.42 and 3.73's, only because I plan FI later down the line. But if not going FI, definately would go 3.73.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: The real question is; When you turn your car on, does it return the favor..
Cruise-In VIII & IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18,308
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From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
Thanks for the offer, I'll have to take you up on that. Also interested hearing your new GHL exhaust with headers. I'll give you a call while in Carlisle.Don't want to start hi-jacking this thread, so to the OP, you will absolutely LOVE 3.73's, no question about it. That's the best mod for any auto, along with a higher stall TC.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
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From: Rugby North Dakota
Noise wise, I get a little drone AROUND TOWN when I'm between 1,200 - 1,700 RPM - below or above that range and there is NO problem w/ interior noise - carry on a normal conversation
gas mileage wise, see my sig, cause there is head and cam mods, but I'm getting about 20 on the highway
gas mileage wise, see my sig, cause there is head and cam mods, but I'm getting about 20 on the highway