My 98 A4 will not spin on takeoff , but held it to the floor til it shifts to 2nd and felt it break loose very noticeably. Think it shift at 6000 . Didn't try for 3rd .

 

high school stuff.

 

I would do a couple bolt-ons like exhaust and CAI before messing with the rear-end gearing. I had a 99 with 2.73 and I could break the tires loose sitting still and from a roll at about 30mph. I sure miss that gearing. Just seemed to love the highway.

 

That and a tune...could really wake your car up.

 

Does anyone know how you can find out your gear ratio? I have a 2004 A4 and from what everyone's been describing I think I have the Manual diff on the car as it accelerates and breaks the rear wheels very easily from standstill.

 

Read post # 14 to see what your car came with? If you think it's been changed internally, put the car in 3rd, drive at a steady 75mph. If your RPM's are around 3420, you have 3:42's. If they're around 3150, your have 3:15's, etc.

 

Thanks for everyones feedback!I don't necessarily want to burn the tires,considering how much they cost!I liked the 30 mpg i got from MI. to lakes of the Ozarks MO.I just wanted to know if this was normal for this car.Sounds like it is!I do have the BBK Performance cold air induction system,Cat-back Exhaust system,and Diablo Sports Predator software module.

 

This is funny because I remember in the year 2000 my dad had a 1999 pewter C5 auto with performance 3.15 rear. It was at the time the fastest car I have ever been in. I had a 1988 Camaro 5.0 TBI and that had like 170 horsepower. I could light them up and for some reason he could NOT even with AH turned off. We raced once and he absolutely decimated me but I could burn out and he couldn't lol It became a running joke.

 

I had a 99 Camaro Z28 with the same motor, trans, and 2.73 rear gear as the OP, and that car had a very difficult time spinning tires from a dead stop especially with the 275 wide tires I put on it. Heck, even when power braking it would have a tough time spinning them. I'd say your C5 falls into the same category, even being a few hundred pounds lighter than my Camaro that 2.73 rear certainly isn't for tire spinning. Now my C5 on the other hand, with 6 speed and 3.42s, will obliterate tires if rolling in first and the throttle is laid into!

 

These cars actually have excellent traction. My friends old 300zx would spin in first with 200 horsepower, mine won't spin like that even with 400 horsepower and the z06's shorter gearing.

 

You will feel a difference with the 3.42 vs the 2.73, I'm sure you will like it.

 

"brake 'boost'"?

 

Lot's of high school stuff I'd like to relive.

 

Exactly it is not good to spin. I hate hitting third and breaking loose. Scary sh**

 

I responded earlier but it sounds like I'm set up just right then.
I get a squeal for a short time but hooks up nicely.

 

my 2004 is A4 with 3:15 rear. Road conditions and tires make a big difference but in general with Trac off or Competition Mode can spin tires pretty easily. The idea of get up and go is accelerate as hard as possible without spinning tires.

 

Like others have said, you have the 2.73 gears. I have the same in my A4 and had the same in my A4 Z28 and both can sometimes have a hard time breaking loose off the line, but get on the highway and they will make up the difference. Road conditions also play a huge part in this. If you are in a concrete parking lot, you will have to hold the break for a second and break them loose, you wont get much smoke but it will squeal and leave some small marks. Asphalt will make it much easier to spin, especially if its an old road.
I would love to get some 3.15's but I am afraid of what it will do to my highway MPG. I do quite a bit of highway driving. In the meantime, I just made my tires into "homemade slicks" now I can spinmine freely whenever I want! LOL!
Speaking of traction control, I always turn mine off, I hate how aggressively it kicks on and jerks the car (except in the rain of course).

Does anyone know a mod to reverse it and make this stay off unless you turn it on?

 

Yes there is. It's not made anymore and I can't remember the name off the top my head. I have it and you can set it off, competitive mode or on and it will do it every time you start it. I will find the name of someone doesn't beat me to it.

 

 

I have 2.73 gears in mine and it will not spin, as a matter of fact from a dead stop to about 40 mph it's pretty boring. But, if you stomp it in low at 40 mph ... it screams!

And that 28 mpg is pretty sweet.

(If I wanted to smoke the tires I would just get a stick shift. That always works.),