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I have a line on a torch red A4 couple for $14,000
Pretty basic, very well maintained, no HUD, interior in really good shape other than you can tell the owner has slide down the driver bolster a fair amount. Cleanest I’ve looked at overall.
My concern is that it has the 2.73 rear end ratio. I’ve been searching for one with the bigger gears based on what I’ve read here.
Does anyone have a strong opinion either way whether I should hold out for the performance rear end instead of pull the trigger on this one? It just doesn’t pull the way I feel like a vette should.
Keep in mind a used 3.42 diff is one of the easier ones to find (so you can have it swapped into the 2.73 car) if you want to upgrade down the road to a snappier setup.
I have a line on a torch red A4 couple for $14,000
Pretty basic, very well maintained, no HUD, interior in really good shape other than you can tell the owner has slide down the driver bolster a fair amount. Cleanest I’ve looked at overall.
My concern is that it has the 2.73 rear end ratio. I’ve been searching for one with the bigger gears based on what I’ve read here.
Does anyone have a strong opinion either way whether I should hold out for the performance rear end instead of pull the trigger on this one? It just doesn’t pull the way I feel like a vette should.
The only other OEM ratio for C5 A4s was the G92 3.15 gear. It will make quite a difference. But if you really want to improve performance, I'd recommend a 3.42 diff. You will probably find swapping the entire diff is most economical. On the other hand, new gears and a different carrier would ensure you're not getting someone else's headache, which usually doesn't happen, but you never know for sure. If youre really into performance, and want the 3.42, try to find a later 3.42 from the C5 Z06, which has the stronger 3 rib case. Not sure why GM didn't make the 3.15 the standard ratio, with the G92 being the 3.42 gear, but it may have had something to do with CAFE. Best of luck to you.....
So, you have not said what the car is for. Weekend cruiser, long distance trips, track car, some of the above? The 3.15 gears are a great compromise for the A4 transmission, good performance from the line, good mileage on the road. Lousy downshift from 3rd to 2nd. I have put 128K on my Vert with A4, 3.15 and Z51 pkgs, and would not change a thing. Just get the gears that match your needs and have fun.
Plan for a evening/weekend toy, maybe once a week to work. Don’t plan on going to a track, just want some spirited driving fun. And when I drove the 2.73 it just didn’t feel like it had the pull I want.
For your use, just go with 3.73 rear gears since you’ll need a different carrier anyway. Later maybe a higher stall converter. The combo would be night and day better.
On the other hand, just buy a car with a manual 6 speed, and change the gear set to 4.10 and you’ll be very happy.
Last edited by vette4fl; Jul 23, 2023 at 10:30 PM.
April 2022, I had a shop do an RPM 3.73 gear and YankSS3200 stall. I kinda wanted a 3600 converter, glad I didn’t because I do an HPDE once in awhile. 3200 converter works fine on a road course with the steep gears. I went from 3.15 to 3.73. Car is definitely faster. You will like it. 1st and 2nd gear just rape face for an LS1 automatic. I’m sure 3.42 gears would be fine too for a street car.
As far as highway driving, 77mph I’m at 2600RPM with a 26.2 inch tire, 305 30 19. Highway mileage went down to about 23mpg, but I didn’t do this for highway mileage, I did it for performance, and I like the way the steep gears make the car feel. Good luck. 14k doesn’t sound to bad.
I appreciate everyone’s feedback. I’d like to just get one with the better rear end, but price seems too good to pass when I could just switch over in the future. Plus it’s one of the cleanest I’ve looked at.
Honestly the best vette to buy is the slowest least modified vette- that goes for any sports car, really. If its got a bunch of mods or go fast performance parts its more likely to have been abused.
Look under it good, basics, frame rails, pinch welds, look for malicious jacking and accidents, check seams, check alignment of panels, pull up trunk carpet, look for vin tags on body panels, headlight alignment, bumpers/door/trunk/hood gaps
The engine, pull the oil cap while its running, look for smoking. Look inside for dark indication of hard black carbon. It should not be too bad or have a bunch of hard deposits. Smell the oil.
Need more tips ask I can provide a more detailed inspection routine
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If all that is stopping you is the rear diff gearing, and the rest of the car is what you want, I would go for it and then plan on making a differential swap at some point.
Also, maybe others will chime in, but I believe a tuner can adjust the shift points in the trans to improve performance too...not sure if it will make up for the 2:73s....
Also, maybe others will chime in, but I believe a tuner can adjust the shift points in the trans to improve performance too...not sure if it will make up for the 2:73s....
A tuner can adjust the shift points, which they will want to have done once they swap out the diff. However, that won't help without a gear swap as the shift points are pretty well tuned for the gearing in the car.
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