New gears for LS1
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
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New gears for LS1
I'm new at this so help me out please. I have a 2003 LS1 automatic. I believe the gears are 2.73. Can I change these for 3.90's or 4.10's on an automatic for some extra kick off the line?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
Cruise-In 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Heeeeeeeelllll yea. Just finished puttin' my 4.10s in my M6 today. You'll have to replace the whole carrier, unless you get DTE to build it for you. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,294
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From: Suffolk, Long Island NY
What speed do you cruise on the parkway. 4.10's and 3.90's are too much for most. 3.42's and 3.73's seem to work the best for street or street/strip A4's. While the rear is out, it's also a good time to upgrade the converter. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,137
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From: Insane Diego Kalifonya Baby
Most people with the A4 myself included up grade to the 3.42s these can be had for about $1100. A TC is an option but not required. Now if you go to higher gears than that you're wanting a little more than just a street car. They are more expensive and you probably want to look into a TC and beefing your drive train up and installing a tranny cooler. I guess it depends what your into. I don't race I got the 3.42s, Vararam 2B, and a LS1 edit Dyno tune. It is necessary to have the shift points changed, a dyno tune is just a finer tuning but not really a must. I am more than happy with the performance. It will smoke them off the line and when she shifts out of 2nd at about 75-80 she puts you back in the seat. 
Last edited by VLVETTE; Feb 17, 2005 at 09:46 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
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From: Davie Florida
Originally Posted by Face
What speed do you cruise on the parkway. 4.10's and 3.90's are too much for most. 3.42's and 3.73's seem to work the best for street or street/strip A4's. While the rear is out, it's also a good time to upgrade the converter.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by Face
What speed do you cruise on the parkway. 4.10's and 3.90's are too much for most. 3.42's and 3.73's seem to work the best for street or street/strip A4's. While the rear is out, it's also a good time to upgrade the converter.
as well. You are making a smart move by getting rid of the 2.73s. They should never have been offered in the Vette.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,250
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From: Katy TX
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Originally Posted by Cajundude
Heeeeeeeelllll yea. Just finished puttin' my 4.10s in my M6 today. You'll have to replace the whole carrier, unless you get DTE to build it for you.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,550
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From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
Cruise-In 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by dadsturn
Hey cajun, you mentioned you were going to do this on our last run, hows it feel, sound. Curious is there is a whine. You havent required a neck brace yet have you?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,250
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From: Katy TX
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Originally Posted by Cajundude
Nothing so far. No noise whatsoever. Drove it to work today to make the breakin go quicker. Haven't really gotten on it yet. So far there really isn't that much of a difference besides I can actually use 6th gear in Houston now. I haven't brought the car above 3K yet so no neck brace required, yet.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,791
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From: NE PA
Originally Posted by Ken1234
I'm new at this so help me out please. I have a 2003 LS1 automatic. I believe the gears are 2.73. Can I change these for 3.90's or 4.10's on an automatic for some extra kick off the line?
, but I wouldn't go any deeper than 3.73 gears in your A4 car. See signature.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
Originally Posted by Ken1234
Great info. Like I said, I just want some more punch off the line. The 2.73 are good for highway and top end, but with the automatic, I felt a higer gear is better. Glad to hear it is.
Thanks
Thanks
Last edited by David426; Feb 19, 2005 at 10:18 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: Bakersfield California
410's
I agree with the board that 4.10's are to much for an A4. On the other hand 4.10 behind a M6 is awsome. Rodney just built me a M6 and 4.10 Diff and I got it in the car 2 weeks ago. It is Quiet, and unbelievable difference. Cruising on the hiway with the.50 6th gear is no prob. A great mod in my oppinion.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,698
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From: Chapin SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Ken1234,
Another thing to consider is that you can probably get a good deal on a used 3:42 gear set. Like many guys I kept my original 3:42s when I switched to the 3:90s.
Another thing to consider is that you can probably get a good deal on a used 3:42 gear set. Like many guys I kept my original 3:42s when I switched to the 3:90s.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Actually the 2.73 is not good for top end at all, in fact its the worst gear to have.
