gears beat to death
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: KYLE TX
gears beat to death
It seems as I look over topics, gears are becoming as frequent as exhaust threads. On that note hear are a few questions I have come up with for the more afflicted modoholics. I have granny gears 2.73 and am looking to upgrade. I do not go to the track but do "enjoy" the car often. It is my daily driver thus I am leary of the drivability in stop and go traffic with adding the TC (as well as the added heat meaning possible addition of trans cooler). No other engine mods have been done.
1. What results can I expect (good/bad) from gear only upgrade.
2. What differences will I feel While driving???
3. What is the biggest diff between 3.42 and 3.73? (I also am on the intersate quite often)
4. Would adding TC (say 2800-3200) make a big enough diiference in performance over just the gear upgrade to warrent the additional cost (keeping in mind not looking for improved 1/4 time just the feel of immediate power/throttle responce)
5. If I do the gears only (say 3.42) What kind of tune or programming should be done to get the most out of it.
Thanks for any help with answers or previous threads.
1. What results can I expect (good/bad) from gear only upgrade.
2. What differences will I feel While driving???
3. What is the biggest diff between 3.42 and 3.73? (I also am on the intersate quite often)
4. Would adding TC (say 2800-3200) make a big enough diiference in performance over just the gear upgrade to warrent the additional cost (keeping in mind not looking for improved 1/4 time just the feel of immediate power/throttle responce)
5. If I do the gears only (say 3.42) What kind of tune or programming should be done to get the most out of it.
Thanks for any help with answers or previous threads.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
Originally Posted by BSRRT
1. What results can I expect (good/bad) from gear only upgrade.
2. What differences will I feel While driving???
3. What is the biggest diff between 3.42 and 3.73? (I also am on the intersate quite often)
4. Would adding TC (say 2800-3200) make a big enough diiference in performance over just the gear upgrade to warrent the additional cost (keeping in mind not looking for improved 1/4 time just the feel of immediate power/throttle responce)
5. If I do the gears only (say 3.42) What kind of tune or programming should be done to get the most out of it.
Thanks for any help with answers or previous threads.
2. What differences will I feel While driving???
3. What is the biggest diff between 3.42 and 3.73? (I also am on the intersate quite often)
4. Would adding TC (say 2800-3200) make a big enough diiference in performance over just the gear upgrade to warrent the additional cost (keeping in mind not looking for improved 1/4 time just the feel of immediate power/throttle responce)
5. If I do the gears only (say 3.42) What kind of tune or programming should be done to get the most out of it.
Thanks for any help with answers or previous threads.
1. Results -- good....my Vette acts like a real Vette. Bad...none.
2. Feel -- normal driving...quicker acceleration...more pull. stomp on it...tires smoke!
3. a little RPM difference....more traction issues with the 3.73's
4. Yes, but if you aren't going to the track then do just the gears.
5. You have to change the programming to adjust the PCM for 3.42's or you get a transmission slip code. From there....you should tweak the shift points and rev limiter to better dial-in the 3.42's
A tranmission cooler is good insurance. I have not added one yet, and do not see that much difference in tranny temps.
Good Luck!
Last edited by debmwb; Jul 15, 2005 at 12:37 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Originally Posted by BSRRT
It seems as I look over topics, gears are becoming as frequent as exhaust threads. On that note hear are a few questions I have come up with for the more afflicted modoholics. I have granny gears 2.73 and am looking to upgrade. I do not go to the track but do "enjoy" the car often. It is my daily driver thus I am leary of the drivability in stop and go traffic with adding the TC (as well as the added heat meaning possible addition of trans cooler). No other engine mods have been done.
1. What results can I expect (good/bad) from gear only upgrade.
2. What differences will I feel While driving???
3. What is the biggest diff between 3.42 and 3.73? (I also am on the intersate quite often)
4. Would adding TC (say 2800-3200) make a big enough diiference in performance over just the gear upgrade to warrent the additional cost (keeping in mind not looking for improved 1/4 time just the feel of immediate power/throttle responce)
5. If I do the gears only (say 3.42) What kind of tune or programming should be done to get the most out of it.
Thanks for any help with answers or previous threads.
1. What results can I expect (good/bad) from gear only upgrade.
2. What differences will I feel While driving???
3. What is the biggest diff between 3.42 and 3.73? (I also am on the intersate quite often)
4. Would adding TC (say 2800-3200) make a big enough diiference in performance over just the gear upgrade to warrent the additional cost (keeping in mind not looking for improved 1/4 time just the feel of immediate power/throttle responce)
5. If I do the gears only (say 3.42) What kind of tune or programming should be done to get the most out of it.
Thanks for any help with answers or previous threads.
2. Your car will be more responsive, it won't feel nearly as sluggish.
3. I have had 3.42s and now 3.73 gears. Your engine will be turning 200 RPM more at 70 MPH with 3.73 gears. You will also lose a little more fuel economy. However your car will accelerate better with 3.73 gears.
4. A T/C will give you a much bigger boost in performance than just gears. Only a higher stall T/C will get rid of the dead spots you get like when you go WOT at about 35-45 MPH. The stock T/C and 3.42 gears will not cure this problem. You don't have to be into drag racing to install a high stall T/C. A T/C will greatly improve your cars performance at all speeds. The Yank SS3200 with 3.42 gears makes a great street combo. You get excellent driveability on the street plus a tremendous performance boost.
5. You should have your shift points reprogramed.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
sorry can't help you with the A4 stuff, but I can give impressions of my 4.10s MN6.
First off the car responds much better when hitting the gas. There is no lag just power now.
I have not noticed a significant lost of gas mileage, but that is probably because the manual tranny has that high 6th gear.
For bang for your buck performance the gear change is the best. It was one of my first MODs and still my favorite. Yeah the Headers make the car sound nice, but heck I really did not notice that much more speed compared to what I felt with the new gears. To be honest if I was not doing the H/C package I would never had added the headers.
First off the car responds much better when hitting the gas. There is no lag just power now.
I have not noticed a significant lost of gas mileage, but that is probably because the manual tranny has that high 6th gear.
For bang for your buck performance the gear change is the best. It was one of my first MODs and still my favorite. Yeah the Headers make the car sound nice, but heck I really did not notice that much more speed compared to what I felt with the new gears. To be honest if I was not doing the H/C package I would never had added the headers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,495
Likes: 0
From: Paducah Ky
Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
sorry can't help you with the A4 stuff, but I can give impressions of my 4.10s MN6.
First off the car responds much better when hitting the gas. There is no lag just power now.
First off the car responds much better when hitting the gas. There is no lag just power now.
I just had my 4:10's put in monday, what a difference it makes. Like they say, gears are the best bang for the buck for SOTP feel. You wouldn't be disappointed. 
