Supercharge or gears???
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
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Supercharge or gears???
Looking for some real world experience from people who have done one or the other, I'm not doing both...
I have a 2001 automatic with 2.73 gears..
It is tuned so it runs far better then it did factory but as you know it is never enough...
Assuming a $10,000 budget i have come up with 2 options...
1, supercharger, around 8 grand or so installed
2, 3.42 or 3.73 gears, rpm is what i want...while in there rebuild the torgue tube, around 5 grand
my question is, supercharger,,,, will I have any belt issues as far as reliability....Will the 2.73s be fine with the supercharger...????
Gears,,,will 3.42s be enough of an increase or 3.73s.
I know similar subjects exist, but I'm asking for current people who may have had these mods for years...and I'm really just looking for most reliable bang for buck. Thanks
I have a 2001 automatic with 2.73 gears..
It is tuned so it runs far better then it did factory but as you know it is never enough...
Assuming a $10,000 budget i have come up with 2 options...
1, supercharger, around 8 grand or so installed
2, 3.42 or 3.73 gears, rpm is what i want...while in there rebuild the torgue tube, around 5 grand
my question is, supercharger,,,, will I have any belt issues as far as reliability....Will the 2.73s be fine with the supercharger...????
Gears,,,will 3.42s be enough of an increase or 3.73s.
I know similar subjects exist, but I'm asking for current people who may have had these mods for years...and I'm really just looking for most reliable bang for buck. Thanks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
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This is exactly why I wanted to ask these questions, I am concerned about the longevity of the transmission , so thank you for that reply...
I am leaning towards the gears more I think right now, plus I will get to rebuild the torgue tube also, but I would still like to hear about others that have done similar mods to their cars.
I am leaning towards the gears more I think right now, plus I will get to rebuild the torgue tube also, but I would still like to hear about others that have done similar mods to their cars.
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From: Oregon
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When you change the diff. do not forget to transfer the seal plate and don't damage the O-fing around it as they are no longer available. The center seal is still available
Le Mans Master
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From: Pasadena, MD
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
A supercharger is going to be a FAR greater improvement over gears. It's not even close.
As far as belt issues goes it depends if it's installed correctly. All performance mods can have issues.
I think a cam, stall converter and gears would be a better comparison and be similarly priced.
I would go 373s if you go the gear route.
I did 390s in my Z06 and then did a supercharger.
I also had a cammed, stalled 98 Z28 w 373s years ago.
As far as belt issues goes it depends if it's installed correctly. All performance mods can have issues.
I think a cam, stall converter and gears would be a better comparison and be similarly priced.
I would go 373s if you go the gear route.
I did 390s in my Z06 and then did a supercharger.
I also had a cammed, stalled 98 Z28 w 373s years ago.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2022
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A supercharger is going to be a FAR greater improvement over gears. It's not even close.
As far as belt issues goes it depends if it's installed correctly. All performance mods can have issues.
I think a cam, stall converter and gears would be a better comparison and be similarly priced.
I would go 373s if you go the gear route.
I did 390s in my Z06 and then did a supercharger.
I also had a cammed, stalled 98 Z28 w 373s years ago.
As far as belt issues goes it depends if it's installed correctly. All performance mods can have issues.
I think a cam, stall converter and gears would be a better comparison and be similarly priced.
I would go 373s if you go the gear route.
I did 390s in my Z06 and then did a supercharger.
I also had a cammed, stalled 98 Z28 w 373s years ago.
I really want some good low end torque but with good drive ability, not necessarily the fastest thing on the street...thanks for the reply, ill learn more about what i haven't thought about based on everyones replies..
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Pasadena, MD
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
never thought about a cam, it's like anything I guess, it's like where do I stop lol....
I really want some good low end torque but with good drive ability, not necessarily the fastest thing on the street...thanks for the reply, ill learn more about what i haven't thought about based on everyones replies..
I really want some good low end torque but with good drive ability, not necessarily the fastest thing on the street...thanks for the reply, ill learn more about what i haven't thought about based on everyones replies..
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I am definitely looking for a night and day change, is changing the converter necessary, or can I stay with the factory one, what benefits will I get for changing it and is there a negative side as well? Thanks for the repies..
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I can't believe I'm saying this because I obviously build and sell supercharger systems, but I would still recommend the gears. I prefer the 3.42 gears in an auto. We've done a bunch over the years. You could even get a used diff out of a manual car. I'm also not a fan of loose converters. I hear "it drives like stock" all the time. I have to call BS on that one.
The 2001 automatic is much improved over the 97-98 ones. It's not something I'd expect to die by putting power to it.
The 2001 automatic is much improved over the 97-98 ones. It's not something I'd expect to die by putting power to it.
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From: South Hill Wa
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Auto 273 cars are probably the worst with the most cans of worms to open.
No matter what you do the 2.73s are always handicapping. Cam, blower, heads, converter, all being held back.
I am of no real use to you sir. I would be making wholesale changes which I know is very expensive.
The other thing that is a PITA is you can't really make a good gear choice without knowing your long goal.
IMO a N/A gear choice is going to be different than a power adder gear choice.
Something else to consider is you have to be realistic to the use of the car and potential reduced reliability.
No matter what you do the 2.73s are always handicapping. Cam, blower, heads, converter, all being held back.
I am of no real use to you sir. I would be making wholesale changes which I know is very expensive.
The other thing that is a PITA is you can't really make a good gear choice without knowing your long goal.
IMO a N/A gear choice is going to be different than a power adder gear choice.
Something else to consider is you have to be realistic to the use of the car and potential reduced reliability.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 226
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I can't believe I'm saying this because I obviously build and sell supercharger systems, but I would still recommend the gears. I prefer the 3.42 gears in an auto. We've done a bunch over the years. You could even get a used diff out of a manual car. I'm also not a fan of loose converters. I hear "it drives like stock" all the time. I have to call BS on that one.
The 2001 automatic is much improved over the 97-98 ones. It's not something I'd expect to die by putting power to it.
The 2001 automatic is much improved over the 97-98 ones. It's not something I'd expect to die by putting power to it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 226
Likes: 150
Auto 273 cars are probably the worst with the most cans of worms to open.
No matter what you do the 2.73s are always handicapping. Cam, blower, heads, converter, all being held back.
I am of no real use to you sir. I would be making wholesale changes which I know is very expensive.
The other thing that is a PITA is you can't really make a good gear choice without knowing your long goal.
IMO a N/A gear choice is going to be different than a power adder gear choice.
Something else to consider is you have to be realistic to the use of the car and potential reduced reliability.
No matter what you do the 2.73s are always handicapping. Cam, blower, heads, converter, all being held back.
I am of no real use to you sir. I would be making wholesale changes which I know is very expensive.
The other thing that is a PITA is you can't really make a good gear choice without knowing your long goal.
IMO a N/A gear choice is going to be different than a power adder gear choice.
Something else to consider is you have to be realistic to the use of the car and potential reduced reliability.
My long term goal for this car is just a really reliable performance machine that I can still take road trips in and be reliable, break the tires free on command, but as said before not the fastest car out there, just fun and reliable and a noticeable upgrade from what I currently have....
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From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
thanks for your comment, I agree about the 2.73s, not sure if the supercharger and those gears would do the trick but I am sure that would be the night and day change I am looking for..
My long term goal for this car is just a really reliable performance machine that I can still take road trips in and be reliable, break the tires free on command, but as said before not the fastest car out there, just fun and reliable and a noticeable upgrade from what I currently have....
My long term goal for this car is just a really reliable performance machine that I can still take road trips in and be reliable, break the tires free on command, but as said before not the fastest car out there, just fun and reliable and a noticeable upgrade from what I currently have....
As soon as I see road trips I would stop at 3.42 gears.
Speaking from experience I daily drive a LS swapped Ford Ranger with a 4l60 transmission with a 25.5 inch tall rear tire. I started out with 4.11s because that is what the truck came with. It was kind of hilarious and fun at first but unrealistic. Turning like 3k rpms on the freeway. I then went to 3.55s and this manageable but still very buzzy at 70mph. Ultimately went to 3.27s and now I am turning around 2200 at 70mph.
Just something to consider, those extra RPMs can be very annoying when cruising on the highway.
I think you are on the right track finding a OEM 342 diff and slapping that in to start.
I will say that I've heard that changing just the diff on an Auto C5 can be a real chore because the transmission output shaft is very long. ? I don't' have any first hand experience with this though.
Are you going to be doing this work yourself?
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As soon as I see road trips I would stop at 3.42 gears.
Speaking from experience I daily drive a LS swapped Ford Ranger with a 4l60 transmission with a 25.5 inch tall rear tire. I started out with 4.11s because that is what the truck came with. It was kind of hilarious and fun at first but unrealistic. Turning like 3k rpms on the freeway. I then went to 3.55s and this manageable but still very buzzy at 70mph. Ultimately went to 3.27s and now I am turning around 2200 at 70mph.
Just something to consider, those extra RPMs can be very annoying when cruising on the highway.
I think you are on the right track finding a OEM 342 diff and slapping that in to start.
I will say that I've heard that changing just the diff on an Auto C5 can be a real chore because the transmission output shaft is very long. ? I don't' have any first hand experience with this though.
Are you going to be doing this work yourself?
Speaking from experience I daily drive a LS swapped Ford Ranger with a 4l60 transmission with a 25.5 inch tall rear tire. I started out with 4.11s because that is what the truck came with. It was kind of hilarious and fun at first but unrealistic. Turning like 3k rpms on the freeway. I then went to 3.55s and this manageable but still very buzzy at 70mph. Ultimately went to 3.27s and now I am turning around 2200 at 70mph.
Just something to consider, those extra RPMs can be very annoying when cruising on the highway.
I think you are on the right track finding a OEM 342 diff and slapping that in to start.
I will say that I've heard that changing just the diff on an Auto C5 can be a real chore because the transmission output shaft is very long. ? I don't' have any first hand experience with this though.
Are you going to be doing this work yourself?
is there anything I should look for in buying a used 3.42, or should i just stay clear from that and buy new....thanks
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Instructor
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Was the difference noticeable, I am actually on ebay right now the going rate looks to be around $1000 bucks...I know this is a pretty common mod amongst the automatic cars
.
