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Old Nov 6, 2005 | 04:39 PM
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I have a 2002 A4 Coupe and am interested in changing the stock 2.73 gears to 3.42

I've done a few searches but can't seem to find everything I would need to do to replace them

I plan on having a shop perform the actual install.

Will the new 3.42 gears fit in the stock 2.73 pumpkin ?

Is there anything else that will need to be replaced other than the gears ? I've read many posts saying to replace the TC and also many saying it's not needed. This car will be strictly for street use, I just want better response time for those moments I want to get on it a little.

Any help or links that you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

I understand the car will need to be tuned after the replacement for the new shift points.

Does anyone know of a good tuner in the Tampa area ?

I'm also planning on adding headers, X-pipe, rear exhaust and a Vararam so I thought I would do it all at the same time and then get a good tune.

Thanks,

Mike
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Old Nov 6, 2005 | 05:53 PM
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look here for a quick primer:
http://mikemercury.home.att.net/342.htm
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Old Nov 6, 2005 | 08:39 PM
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Thanks for the information Mike. Do I need to purchase an entire rear Diff, or can I keep the one I have and get the gears changed out ?
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Old Nov 6, 2005 | 11:40 PM
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You will need to purchase the entire differential (try GM Parts Direct or Fred Bean for pricing of Z06 part, its cheaper than regular C5). Shop charged me only $100.00 more for labor to install Yank converter, so if you are even remotely thinking about it, do it now.
New up shift points should be: 1st to 2nd - 41 MPH
2nd to 3rd - 80 MPH
3rd to 4th - 130 MPH
New down shift points should be: 2nd to 1st - 36 MPH
3rd to 2nd - 79 MPH
4th to 3rd - 118 MPH
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Old Nov 7, 2005 | 01:23 AM
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Originally Posted by mrosa65
I have a 2002 A4 Coupe and am interested in changing the stock 2.73 gears to 3.42

I've done a few searches but can't seem to find everything I would need to do to replace them

I plan on having a shop perform the actual install.

Will the new 3.42 gears fit in the stock 2.73 pumpkin ?

Is there anything else that will need to be replaced other than the gears ? I've read many posts saying to replace the TC and also many saying it's not needed. This car will be strictly for street use, I just want better response time for those moments I want to get on it a little.

Any help or links that you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

I understand the car will need to be tuned after the replacement for the new shift points.

Does anyone know of a good tuner in the Tampa area ?

I'm also planning on adding headers, X-pipe, rear exhaust and a Vararam so I thought I would do it all at the same time and then get a good tune.

Thanks,

Mike
I have everything you need for the swap. Im getting ready to de-mod my car.I have Everything you have listed and more. Headers,xpipe,Bullets,3.42s,stall,and vararam.P.m. me if you want to do all of the above at a drastic discount compared to new.Thanks!!!
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Old Nov 7, 2005 | 06:02 AM
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PM sent...thanks
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Old Nov 7, 2005 | 06:03 AM
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Ok...I'm still a little confused. I have a local mechanic telling me I don't have to replace the entire rear diff, just the gears, is this true ?

Thanks,

Mike
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Old Nov 7, 2005 | 09:22 AM
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It is cheaper and easier to swap to a 3.42 rear. I doubt your local guy can get 3.42's in a 2.73 case.
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Old Nov 7, 2005 | 11:55 AM
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I'm not a diff builder at all. But I do know that you need a special spacer because of the spacing. The best thing to do is buy a ZO6 case built-done new for under 1000 bucks. This way the gears will be not noisey, and you will have the stronger case.

Randy
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Old Nov 7, 2005 | 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Randy@DRM
I'm not a diff builder at all. But I do know that you need a special spacer because of the spacing. The best thing to do is buy a ZO6 case built-done new for under 1000 bucks. This way the gears will be not noisey, and you will have the stronger case.

Randy


one company can put other gears in a 2 series case... and that's DTE. But like mentioned earlier, you can buy a brand new complete carrier with the 3.42 gears for around $1000 (near the costs for swapping gears in an existing 2 series case).
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Old Nov 7, 2005 | 01:31 PM
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Unless you have a shop in your local area KNOWN to do good work on Vette differential, Just use yours as a core and buy one already set up by folks that specialize in Vettes for a living and know them better.
Just my $.02
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