Which gears and converter?

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May 19, 2005 | 09:54 PM

RonnieLS1

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 1,044

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From: Ft Lauderdale Fl

Which gears and converter?

I have a 2003 A4 coupe with dynatech headers. Should I install 3:42's with SS3200 or 3:73's with SS3600. How much more will I gain in the 1/4 with the 3:73's and SS3600. I plan on installing a slightly aggressive cam in the near future. I dont want to kill my gas mileage either.

Thanks Guys

May 19, 2005 | 11:35 PM

Mitch C

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 2,743

Likes: 3

From: Davie Florida

Since you are going to install a fairly aggressive cam definately go with the SS3600 & 3.73 gears. I ran the Yank ST3500 (nearly identical to the SS3600) & 3.73 gears in my car. The combo gave me great performance and driveability. I averaged 23.1 MPG on a 400 mile trip with this combo.

BTW if you think you are going to get really serious about drag racing you might want to take a look at the SS4000. This converter can put down 1.5 60 ft times with good traction.

Last edited by Mitch C; May 19, 2005 at 11:50 PM.

May 20, 2005 | 09:10 AM

Face

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 5,294

Likes: 2

From: Suffolk, Long Island NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch C

You should go with at least a SS3600 and 3.73's. A SS3800-4000 and 3.73/3.90's are a hot setup for the strip, and are still streetable. The later will take more than a half second off your times with traction.

May 21, 2005 | 03:00 AM

WALLstAL

Race Director

Joined: Aug 1999

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From: GARDENA Ca, State Of Konfusion

St. Jude Donor '05

My choice would be the 3.73's with the SS-3600. I just wish the SS-3800 had been out when I made my move. How much will you gain, a lot!!

May 21, 2005 | 11:18 AM

XTrooper

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 1,791

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From: NE PA

You should absolutely go with 3.73 gears, especially with that converter.

May 21, 2005 | 12:15 PM

billiardcue

Racer

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 455

Likes: 11

From: Roanoke VA

What about a combination of a Yank SS3200 with 3.90 gears?
I have 3.42 gears in the car now with the SS3200 and a set of 3.90 gears waiting to be installed and would prefer to keep the converter.
The motor has a cam in need of more gear.

May 21, 2005 | 12:46 PM

Vector

Pro

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 749

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From: Las Cruces New Mexico

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonnieLS1

All the racers have chimed in - If your concerned about gas mileage, I bet you are going to be doing more than just racing. Others will shout me down but I went with a 2800 and 3.42 gears. Good cruiser and accerleration - And yes, all the higher stall TC's and gears will beat me at the track (with comparable mods) - the two or three times a year that I go. Just food for thought!
And, by the way, plan on spending some money on better tires for traction also - run flats aren't going to make it any longer.

May 21, 2005 | 08:20 PM

C5magic

Advanced

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 99

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Quote:

Originally Posted by billiardcue

You would gain more performance by swapping the T/C for one with more stall (SS3600 or SS4000). Once you have a good high stall T/C you don't gain nearly as much by going to higher numerical gear. I swapped an ST3500 for a TSC4200 and it made a big difference in performance with my 3.73 gears. In your case no doubt 3.90s will help but a bigger T/C will really wake your car up even with your present 3.42s. The SS4000 with 3.90s would really be an awesome combo.

Last edited by C5magic; May 21, 2005 at 08:26 PM.