3.42 Gears, A4 upgrade?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 242
Likes: 2
From: Mims Florida
3.42 Gears, A4 upgrade?
I have a 99 A4 with 69k and am planning to change out the 2.73 gears for a set of 3.42's. Should I up grade the transmission while I am there? I don't ever plan on running N2 or a blower but will do H/C , and intake/exhaust. Would like tips from anyone who's been there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
I'm changing my 2.43's to 3.73's this winter. Everyone has told me to ALSO do a torque converter upgrade at the SAME time since your 1/2 way there when you swap rear ends. So, I'm also putting in a Yank SS3200 when I swap carriers.
From what I've heard, you want to do BOTH the rear carrier swap and upgrade your torque converter. Everyone says you'll love it.
From what I've heard, you want to do BOTH the rear carrier swap and upgrade your torque converter. Everyone says you'll love it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 874
Likes: 0
From: Bonita CA
While you have it apart install a Yank SS3200 TC. As far as your stock 4L60E, install a Transgo shift/ programming kit (HD). Your A4 is good for upto 500rwhp. Run it till it dies and then swap it to a six speed or the heavier duty 4L65E. It will bolt on like an exact replacement. You will also want to have your setup reprogrammed with LS1 Edit or simular because your dic will flip-out and throw errors because of your diff. ratio change. Also have your shift points reprogrammed to where you want them and how firm.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 301
From: Bonita CA
Run the tranny until it slips. I did all this stuff to my 00 Vert. Don't do the T/C unless you drag race. Waste of gas and money and produces allot of unecessary heat on the tranny. Forget the shift kit too because it will also shorten the life of your tranny. Contrary to popular belief, slamming into gears is not good for your clutches and other internals. The tune is a must. My 2000 shifted real hard into second gear before the tune and after the 3.42 installation. It will definitly screw up your shifts points and smooth shifting. Andy at A&A fixed me up good with a tune. Really made a big difference.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Originally Posted by 94legaleagle
I'm changing my 2.43's to 3.73's this winter. Everyone has told me to ALSO do a torque converter upgrade at the SAME time since your 1/2 way there when you swap rear ends. So, I'm also putting in a Yank SS3200 when I swap carriers.
From what I've heard, you want to do BOTH the rear carrier swap and upgrade your torque converter. Everyone says you'll love it.
From what I've heard, you want to do BOTH the rear carrier swap and upgrade your torque converter. Everyone says you'll love it.
Higher stall TC's are not for everyone; one size does not fit all when it comes to rear gears and converters.
I retained my stock TC with my 3.42 upgrade; and am very satisfied too !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
you might want to drive a car with ahigher stall TC before you make a decision.
As MIke said, when you're in there changing gears is a good time to do the TC. However the TC you install should be designed to go with the H/C package you intend to install. If you have a good idea of the H/C package you would like to dump in you could send an E-mail to Yank for a recommendation as to what TC would best fit your style of driving and your performance objectives.
I like my setup (see sig ) but I'll be the first to admit it's not for everyone - I could have put in a bigger cam or lower stall TC - but it fits what I wanted.
That's what you have to figure out - what you want from the final package.
As MIke said, when you're in there changing gears is a good time to do the TC. However the TC you install should be designed to go with the H/C package you intend to install. If you have a good idea of the H/C package you would like to dump in you could send an E-mail to Yank for a recommendation as to what TC would best fit your style of driving and your performance objectives.
I like my setup (see sig ) but I'll be the first to admit it's not for everyone - I could have put in a bigger cam or lower stall TC - but it fits what I wanted.
That's what you have to figure out - what you want from the final package.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,154
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From: Murphy TX
Cruise-In II Veteran
If your tranny blows chunks you'll have a bunch of junk in your converter. That's a bummer if you just put in a shiny new ($$) converter. If you think your tranny's near the end I'd lean toward doing rear+converter+tranny now. If you think it may have some life left, wait for it to die - particluarly if the H&C is a ways off. (I've been waiting on mine to puke for almost three years now and it's finally starting to go.) You should count on the H&C putting an end to it (assuming you beat on it a little
) to be on the safe side. Countless stories of A4's packing it in well under the 500RWHP mark. Many, many fewer stories of stockers holding up to big power, though there are some out there.
) to be on the safe side. Countless stories of A4's packing it in well under the 500RWHP mark. Many, many fewer stories of stockers holding up to big power, though there are some out there.
