Gear Upgrade?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 2
From: Palm Desert CA
Gear Upgrade?
I'm thinking of upgrading to 3.42 gears on my 2004 CE A4 but have some questions:
1. Most importantly, would this invalidate my GMPP Warranty? If so, could I get it done by the stealership (not a good idea, I know) to be covered? I've heard horror stories about stealership installs but is there any other way around the warranty coverage issue?
2. Is this the best way to go as it is a DD and I do a lot of freeway driving and don't want to compromise my MPG too much.
3. Would I have to upgrade my torque converter?
4. What sort of price would I be looking at, for buying the unit and having it installed? Basically an out-the-door price.
The only other mods that I have are Diablo Predator (standard performance tune), Borla Stingers, Borla X-Pipe, K&N dual air intake, high flow MAF and most importantly the performance hood seal
I only really want to increase the acceleration from 0 - 60 and am not interested in increasing top speed. Had a close call with an M3 and wasn't too happy about it
Thanks in advance for all your feedback.
1. Most importantly, would this invalidate my GMPP Warranty? If so, could I get it done by the stealership (not a good idea, I know) to be covered? I've heard horror stories about stealership installs but is there any other way around the warranty coverage issue?
2. Is this the best way to go as it is a DD and I do a lot of freeway driving and don't want to compromise my MPG too much.
3. Would I have to upgrade my torque converter?
4. What sort of price would I be looking at, for buying the unit and having it installed? Basically an out-the-door price.
The only other mods that I have are Diablo Predator (standard performance tune), Borla Stingers, Borla X-Pipe, K&N dual air intake, high flow MAF and most importantly the performance hood seal
I only really want to increase the acceleration from 0 - 60 and am not interested in increasing top speed. Had a close call with an M3 and wasn't too happy about it
Thanks in advance for all your feedback.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
1. Most importantly, would this invalidate my GMPP Warranty?
Probably; they're looking for a reason to get out of any free service work. Although the MMWA is supposed to protect you; sadly its only as good as the lawyer you pay to get the rights the MMWA is supposed to give you.
The best way to mod but still retain your warranty is to not make it known.
2. Is this the best way to go as it is a DD and I do a lot of freeway driving and don't want to compromise my MPG too much.
3.42 = great all around gear
3. Would I have to upgrade my torque converter?
No; you don't have to. But if you ever consider a converter, then this is the time to have it done.
Heres a mild converter that doesn't need an external cooler and is low priced:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1715694
Probably; they're looking for a reason to get out of any free service work. Although the MMWA is supposed to protect you; sadly its only as good as the lawyer you pay to get the rights the MMWA is supposed to give you.
The best way to mod but still retain your warranty is to not make it known.
2. Is this the best way to go as it is a DD and I do a lot of freeway driving and don't want to compromise my MPG too much.
3.42 = great all around gear
3. Would I have to upgrade my torque converter?
No; you don't have to. But if you ever consider a converter, then this is the time to have it done.
Heres a mild converter that doesn't need an external cooler and is low priced:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1715694
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton, FL
Gears will not void the warranty. As long as the problem was not caused by the gears themselves, warranty will cover the repair.
As for the gears, 3.90s are the way to go if 0-60 is your focus. I lost only 3 MPG, although I think much of that can be attributed to my right foot exploiting the ridiculous amount of fun provided by the new gears. I did install a 3200 stall and definitely recommend doing it at the same time as the gears, though it is not absolutly necessary. Make sure you get a hardened output shaft installed, as the OEM shaft will not last long with the new gears.
All told, my 3.90s, 3200 stall, and hardened output shaft cost approx $3500, labor included.
As for the gears, 3.90s are the way to go if 0-60 is your focus. I lost only 3 MPG, although I think much of that can be attributed to my right foot exploiting the ridiculous amount of fun provided by the new gears. I did install a 3200 stall and definitely recommend doing it at the same time as the gears, though it is not absolutly necessary. Make sure you get a hardened output shaft installed, as the OEM shaft will not last long with the new gears.
All told, my 3.90s, 3200 stall, and hardened output shaft cost approx $3500, labor included.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,933
Likes: 13
From: The Beautiful Inland Empire WA.
If you PM me with your email address, I can send you a chart that has all of the gear ratios, transmissions and what RPM's you will be turning at what speed. (posted below by ukxpat....thanks!!!)
Personally, I went with 3.73's and a 3000 stall. I went from high 20's MPG to mid 20's........but passing sure is more fun and so is 0 to 60....
Personally, I went with 3.73's and a 3000 stall. I went from high 20's MPG to mid 20's........but passing sure is more fun and so is 0 to 60....
Last edited by C6NRED; Sep 6, 2007 at 05:14 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 7,727
Likes: 7
From: Twilight zone
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
While I agree the dealer will look for most anything to void the warranty with,I doubt they would even notice the tag on the diff.
And without driving it ,quite a bit,I doubt they would even have a hunch.
I'd bet you would be ok....Heck, it wouldn't be much different than driving around in "3" all the time rather than "D"
If you broke an output shaft,or torque tube somehow,they might look at the gearing more closely though and may not cover things of this nature
For the most part,my opinion is you should be fine
And without driving it ,quite a bit,I doubt they would even have a hunch.
I'd bet you would be ok....Heck, it wouldn't be much different than driving around in "3" all the time rather than "D"
If you broke an output shaft,or torque tube somehow,they might look at the gearing more closely though and may not cover things of this nature
For the most part,my opinion is you should be fine
Last edited by flynbya2; Sep 6, 2007 at 02:32 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 3
From: Roselle IL
Get the gears and stall, I got 3.42 gears and a 3200 stall in my A-4
Car feels much stronger - not sure on my 0 to 60 times, but they have to be better than stock
The only thing is I kind of wish I went with 3.73 gears though.
Car feels much stronger - not sure on my 0 to 60 times, but they have to be better than stock
The only thing is I kind of wish I went with 3.73 gears though.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
The perfect chart listed right above here!
I went to the 3.42's and man what a difference!
It does not make a difference in the fuel mileage or the RPM's (Well in that it is not huge in the RPM department - what an extra 150 RPM's at 70 MPH!)
What I noticed was a quicker response and harder acceleration on the road as well as on the freeway! One time I thought had I not had the gears it might of been --- well you know!
I say go for it!
You can get a set of used ones like i did for around $500-$600 bucks in the For Sale section here at the forum!
As for the install a shop will probably charge about $300-$400 to do the install!
Just be sure to change the setting to the 3.42's with your handheld tuner before you leave the shop!
Thanks,Matt
I went to the 3.42's and man what a difference!
It does not make a difference in the fuel mileage or the RPM's (Well in that it is not huge in the RPM department - what an extra 150 RPM's at 70 MPH!)
What I noticed was a quicker response and harder acceleration on the road as well as on the freeway! One time I thought had I not had the gears it might of been --- well you know!
I say go for it!
You can get a set of used ones like i did for around $500-$600 bucks in the For Sale section here at the forum!
As for the install a shop will probably charge about $300-$400 to do the install!
Just be sure to change the setting to the 3.42's with your handheld tuner before you leave the shop!
Thanks,Matt
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
and that's the trick you gotta play. Just don't tell any Chevrolet dealership about the mod.
Gears will not void the warranty. As long as the problem was not caused by the gears themselves, warranty will cover the repair.
Sure, there's the MMWA. But it's only as good as the lawyer you pay to legally get your rights under the MMWA.... months or years later.
If a dealer wanted to, they could refuse GMPP warranty work on the entire drive-train (including the engine) because of a rear axle upgrade.
Your choice then is to either hire a lawyer, or drive to another GMPP authorized repair shop and hope they won't be azzes like the last place.
Gears shouldn't void the warranty
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 2
From: Palm Desert CA
