342 Gear Vs. 273 Gear
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Lenoir Tn
342 Gear Vs. 273 Gear
I have a 2004 Vert with kooks headers, B&B exhaust and x pipe and Vararam. I'm thinking of changing the rear end gear. I dont race the car. I drive mainley on interstate at around 70mph. Or around town. Will the 342 be to low for hwy driving???? Help??? 
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Arizona AZ
Just beware when you change the rear gear you will need to reprogram. I also somethign about the dealer being able to void your warranty if they can make the case of your gears casuing your problem should you have one that may be related. Just my .02
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From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by sshole
From what i hear on here,The a4 should have came with the 3.42 rear in the first place.It will still go 15x mph and the gear change will help out everywhere,not just from the line!!
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From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by azmusclecar
Just beware when you change the rear gear you will need to reprogram. I also somethign about the dealer being able to void your warranty if they can make the case of your gears casuing your problem should you have one that may be related. Just my .02
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: simpson town Mo
Originally Posted by Mitch C
3.42s are very good for highway cruising. You might also want to consider installing a mild T/C (2800-3200 stall) to go along with your 3.42 gears. A T/C will really wake your car up.
Amen!!!Ive only got 5 more days and mine will be installed!!!Cant wait to see the difference!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
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From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
Does anyone know if a Z06 (3.42) will fit a regular C5 coupe A4 (2.73) ? And if yes, then where I can get a decent price on one. Also whats a good TC to go with to match up with the Z06 3.42 rear for the C5 coupe. Is is important to get the hardened shaft with 3.42 ?
Thanks...
Thanks...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
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From: Davie Florida
Originally Posted by Vette_Fan
Does anyone know if a Z06 (3.42) will fit a regular C5 coupe A4 (2.73) ? And if yes, then where I can get a decent price on one. Also whats a good TC to go with to match up with the Z06 3.42 rear for the C5 coupe. Is is important to get the hardened shaft with 3.42 ?
Thanks...
Thanks...
You can sometimes find a good used unit on the C5 Parts for sale forum. Or checkout the forum vendors and see who will give you the best price. The standard M6 also has 3.42 gears and will work just as well as a Z06 rear for your application.
What stall to select depends on your plans for your car. If it were me I would select the SS3200 & 3.42 gears for mostly street with little to no racing. If I was going to race alot and do mods like H/C I would go with the SS3600 or SS3800 & 3.42 or 3.73 gears.
The hardened shaft is nice to have on an A4 but not manditory like it would be on an M6. Some guys have logged 100s of 1/4 mile passes without a hardened output shaft on their A4s.
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From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by sshole
You are one funny guy!!!!!!!! 
Age is a mental thing and we always can learn from each other. I appreciate your training.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Coconut Creek FL
I am considering this as my next major mod...I currently have 3:15's now...and I can get 90MPH @ 2500RPM's on the highway...not that I am going to be taking long trips to California and back- but what will my milage suffer from a 3:42 change? and how important is it to do a TC when doing this? I don't drag the car all that much (3 times since I have owned it) so I don't want something untamed on the street. I guess I need to understand what a TC actually does...I was under the impression that a 3200 stall would not start the car moving until the rpm's reached that number...is this not the case?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Kennesaw, GA Peach State Posse
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Originally Posted by byte_me
I am considering this as my next major mod...I currently have 3:15's now...and I can get 90MPH @ 2500RPM's on the highway...not that I am going to be taking long trips to California and back- but what will my milage suffer from a 3:42 change? and how important is it to do a TC when doing this? I don't drag the car all that much (3 times since I have owned it) so I don't want something untamed on the street. I guess I need to understand what a TC actually does...I was under the impression that a 3200 stall would not start the car moving until the rpm's reached that number...is this not the case?
I have the same questions with my 2.73. I heard I don't need a TC if I go to 3.42 unless I plan on drag racing the car (which I don't). I would like more info though from those who know. Also curious about how much mileage changes, but this is a pretty minor concern.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
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The TC will "flash" to the stall speed or probably a little higher when you "get on it." A friend has stock '02 with just headers, Z06 titanium system but with 3.73 gears and Yank SS3600. Driving around the car is like a regular vette - get on it and it is a beast!! - much power. The higher str will allow normal driving.
Safety Car
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From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by RobBob
I have the same questions with my 2.73. I heard I don't need a TC if I go to 3.42 unless I plan on drag racing the car (which I don't). I would like more info though from those who know. Also curious about how much mileage changes, but this is a pretty minor concern.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: pawleys island sc
Originally Posted by Korreck
You'll be very happy with just the 3:42 and a required tune. Your milage will drop about 2 or 3 MPG and of course that depends on how you drive it. Mine dropped 4 MPG but I cruise at 85.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Originally Posted by sshole
From what i hear on here,The a4 should have came with the 3.42 rear in the first place.It will still go 15x mph and the gear change will help out everywhere,not just from the line!!