3:15 Performance Diff...what Would You Do?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
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From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
3:15 Performance Diff...what Would You Do?
I have the PERFORMANCE Rear-end, meaning the 3:15 DIFF vice the standard 2:73.
"IF you were going to upgrade what would you do and why?"
"IF you were going to upgrade what would you do and why?"
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth TX
gears
I went from 3:42s to a new DTE differential 4:10s. Huge huge performance difference. Depends what you are looking for really, i wanted performance and i felt 3:42s were too sluggish. Most with autos i think are going with 342s for some reason. I had an auto with 273 and went to 410s with 2500 stall. that was a nice difference too.
good luck
good luck
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by towercontroller
I went from 3:42s to a new DTE differential 4:10s. Huge huge performance difference. Depends what you are looking for really, i wanted performance and i felt 3:42s were too sluggish. Most with autos i think are going with 342s for some reason. I had an auto with 273 and went to 410s with 2500 stall. that was a nice difference too.
good luck
good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
The reason why is because 3.42s are arguably the best option for the A4 in our cars.
Excellent performance, won't kill your gas mileage, engine RPMs reasonable on highway cruising, ability to stick with the run flats if you wish.
Don't get me wrong, 3.73s are a great choice too, but you will give up some gas mileage, and with the runflats traction will be difficult when you get down on it. Highway driving will be a bit louder. Some claim that the increased engine noise at cruising is not that much of a problem with the 3.73s, but that, like most everything else is a matter of personal preference. I have headers, high flow cats, and Corsa Indys. They get loud at high RPMs.
The performance difference between 3.42s and 3.73s is not that great.
Excellent performance, won't kill your gas mileage, engine RPMs reasonable on highway cruising, ability to stick with the run flats if you wish.
Don't get me wrong, 3.73s are a great choice too, but you will give up some gas mileage, and with the runflats traction will be difficult when you get down on it. Highway driving will be a bit louder. Some claim that the increased engine noise at cruising is not that much of a problem with the 3.73s, but that, like most everything else is a matter of personal preference. I have headers, high flow cats, and Corsa Indys. They get loud at high RPMs.
The performance difference between 3.42s and 3.73s is not that great.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Jan 11, 2005 at 02:43 AM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth TX
410 vs 373
Yes, same as above. mainly gas mileage i think, but if dont take out on a lot of trips then it isnt a big deal. I like being fast off the line if i need to be and gas isnt a concern for me
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
I am seriously wondering what the difference is with a 3:15 change to 3:42s would be.
I can honestly see that a nice change would be seen from 2:73s to 3:42s, but I have a 3:15 and wonder if this is going to a big enough gain for me to want to do, vice just moving up to 3:73s.
I respect everyone's opnion on this thread, because it is a huge matter of opnion.
Thanks and please continue with the opnions.
I can honestly see that a nice change would be seen from 2:73s to 3:42s, but I have a 3:15 and wonder if this is going to a big enough gain for me to want to do, vice just moving up to 3:73s.
I respect everyone's opnion on this thread, because it is a huge matter of opnion.
Thanks and please continue with the opnions.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by Dope
3.42s if you are a wuss. 3.73s are a better idea.
Dope
Dope
That is bold here! I appreciate the honesty. I have been really considering the 3:73s and this will more than likely be my very next major mod. I think it will be the best bang for the buck and will give me a great reason to professionally tune too.
Micah
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 2
From: Akron Ohio
Anyone have REAL numbers to back up claims? 3.73s are going to be much more than 3.42s because there are so many 3.42s from M6 cars around. The A4 car I have now came with 3.42s that were added, but I would like to see some facts about the 3.73s and what difference they produce in a real comparason. Anyone?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
From: Southern California CA
Originally Posted by EB20003
The reason why is because 3.42s are arguably the best option for the A4 in our cars.
Excellent performance, won't kill your gas mileage, engine RPMs reasonable on highway cruising, ability to stick with the run flats if you wish.
Don't get me wrong, 3.73s are a great choice too, but you will give up some gas mileage, and with the runflats traction will be difficult when you get down on it. Highway driving will be a bit louder. Some claim that the increased engine noise at cruising is not that much of a problem with the 3.73s, but that, like most everything else is a matter of personal preference. I have headers, high flow cats, and Corsa Indys. They get loud at high RPMs.
The performance difference between 3.42s and 3.73s is not that great.
Excellent performance, won't kill your gas mileage, engine RPMs reasonable on highway cruising, ability to stick with the run flats if you wish.
Don't get me wrong, 3.73s are a great choice too, but you will give up some gas mileage, and with the runflats traction will be difficult when you get down on it. Highway driving will be a bit louder. Some claim that the increased engine noise at cruising is not that much of a problem with the 3.73s, but that, like most everything else is a matter of personal preference. I have headers, high flow cats, and Corsa Indys. They get loud at high RPMs.
The performance difference between 3.42s and 3.73s is not that great.
And the 3:42 differentials are less expensive.
Corvette ***** OG
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,776
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From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '05
CI VI Veteran
Originally Posted by ICaughtVetteFeaver
Anyone have REAL numbers to back up claims? 3.73s are going to be much more than 3.42s because there are so many 3.42s from M6 cars around. The A4 car I have now came with 3.42s that were added, but I would like to see some facts about the 3.73s and what difference they produce in a real comparason. Anyone?
Feaver,
I doubt you'll find any kind of "numbers" 'cause if you're using dyno numbers, you'll get the opposite answer since it seems that guys that have steeper gears get lower dyno numbers than those with the same mods and lower gears.
If you're using 1/4 mile numbers, that's too ambiguous since I doubt there's alot of cars that are identical in mods with nothing more than different gears. And then obviously driving comes into play.
Just my .02
Mark
Supporting Tuner
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
I have 2.73:1 gears and stock stall, Procharger, Stingers, Blackwing and a bunch of other mods.
I'm changing to hardened 3.73:1, hardened shafts and a mild stall (2400-2600 lockup).
If could do all my mods all over again, I would have done gears and stall first, then blower, shift kit, exhaust, intake et al after.
EG
I'm changing to hardened 3.73:1, hardened shafts and a mild stall (2400-2600 lockup).
If could do all my mods all over again, I would have done gears and stall first, then blower, shift kit, exhaust, intake et al after.
EG
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
3.42s if you are a wuss. 3.73s are a better idea.
MPH1972; if you plan on keeping run-flats on your C5, then the 3.42 is well matched to EMT type tires. And that is why I made that same step (3.15 to 3.42).
If I was willing to go to conventional tires - I probably would of gone the 3.73 route.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
I've been mulling the idea of changing from my 2.73 gears and I've got a few questions to toss in here, if you folks don't mind....
How much difference in gas milage is there from the 2.73 to the 3.42? It's my daily driver and I do a good bit of highway driving.
What are the differences in the TC's? What should I be looking for when I choose one?
Thanks in advance...
How much difference in gas milage is there from the 2.73 to the 3.42? It's my daily driver and I do a good bit of highway driving.
What are the differences in the TC's? What should I be looking for when I choose one?
Thanks in advance...
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I'd go with the 3.42's - nice upgrade from the 3.15's and you will still have a very streetable car - good gas mileage included.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
Originally Posted by RaVolt
I've been mulling the idea of changing from my 2.73 gears and I've got a few questions to toss in here, if you folks don't mind....
How much difference in gas milage is there from the 2.73 to the 3.42? It's my daily driver and I do a good bit of highway driving.
What are the differences in the TC's? What should I be looking for when I choose one?
Thanks in advance...
How much difference in gas milage is there from the 2.73 to the 3.42? It's my daily driver and I do a good bit of highway driving.
What are the differences in the TC's? What should I be looking for when I choose one?
Thanks in advance...
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
I think most of the responses here provide good info..let me just add a few reminder for those of you thinking of upgrading gears.
1st - it is a great idea and mod if you make the right selection for your driving application (track, street or both)
keep in mind that you will have to have your computer re-programmed with LS1 edit, or Predator/Hypertech etc... to adjust your shift points and speedo..(for A4 guys)this will cost extra.
If you have a 273, I would upgrade at least to a 342..anything less and it's not worth it. If you have a 315, I would go with maybe 390's or at least 373... 315 to 342 is not worth the $$$ not a big enough jump.
If you go 410's you might as well get new, bigger tires cuz youre gonna need em with that stout a gear
good luck
1st - it is a great idea and mod if you make the right selection for your driving application (track, street or both)
keep in mind that you will have to have your computer re-programmed with LS1 edit, or Predator/Hypertech etc... to adjust your shift points and speedo..(for A4 guys)this will cost extra.
If you have a 273, I would upgrade at least to a 342..anything less and it's not worth it. If you have a 315, I would go with maybe 390's or at least 373... 315 to 342 is not worth the $$$ not a big enough jump.
If you go 410's you might as well get new, bigger tires cuz youre gonna need em with that stout a gear
good luck
