A4 Gears and SC
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,325
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From: You can't get there from here NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
A4 Gears and TC
OK. I've been infected with the bug, and want to get gears and a TC for my 03 A4 coupe.I'm pretty much settled on 3.42's, and really can't see going to anything else. What kind are best? Should I get a used C5 6spd or a ZO6 pumpkin which is 3.42 I believe( they don't seem to be that much cheaper used with shipping costs, and you don't know what you're getting), or buy a new one? If new, are DTE best, or are any others recommended?
TC kinds? I've seen alot of people say to go with 3000, or 3300 for this set up.They go from 2800 to 3500? What is the difference in drivability in these different TC's.Do the higher ones shift harder? I am NOT A RACER, I just want something with some good power when I want it, but I DEFINITELY DO NOT WANT TO SACRIFICE DRIVABILTY, and add higher noise levels when cruising.
All help and input will be greatly appreciated, cause I only want to do this once, and right.
TC kinds? I've seen alot of people say to go with 3000, or 3300 for this set up.They go from 2800 to 3500? What is the difference in drivability in these different TC's.Do the higher ones shift harder? I am NOT A RACER, I just want something with some good power when I want it, but I DEFINITELY DO NOT WANT TO SACRIFICE DRIVABILTY, and add higher noise levels when cruising.
All help and input will be greatly appreciated, cause I only want to do this once, and right.
Last edited by Ralphyboy; May 5, 2007 at 06:06 AM. Reason: wrong terms
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport TN
I have Andy's P1 kit w/ the C5 3.42 which I bought from Corvette Garage in Tx via internet. I just had my tranny upgraded at RPM transmissions and I asked if it made a difference in buying a z06 pumpkin vs the C5. They said it really didn't matter, so that might help u out. My car is still a DD and no sacrifice of drivability for me.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 21
From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
You might want to edit your post to change "SC" into "TC" for TorqueConverter. Just a little confusing.
I'm also going with 3.42 and a higher stall. Stock is somewhere around 1600-1800. I'm going to something like 2400-2600 because I also plan on going Forced Induction by adding a SC (that's SuperCharger ) If you plan on adding lots of power later, don't go too high on the stall and gears, otherwise it will sacrifice drivability-every time you step on the gas you'll be tearing the tires to shreds.
If you don't plan on heavily modding, go with somewhere around 3000.
Don't know how handy you are with the wrenches. I'm very handy, know my way around an engine, and wouln't do this by myself. Since your in NJ, there are a lot of places to do the swap that are really cheap. ECS and Cartek come to mind. For the cost of buying a new Z06 3.42 carrier, they only add like 200 bucks for the install and can do it in a few hours while you wait. 200 is worth more to me than my time to do that install. But if you do decide to do it, get CajunDudes install instructions.
I'm also going with 3.42 and a higher stall. Stock is somewhere around 1600-1800. I'm going to something like 2400-2600 because I also plan on going Forced Induction by adding a SC (that's SuperCharger
) If you plan on adding lots of power later, don't go too high on the stall and gears, otherwise it will sacrifice drivability-every time you step on the gas you'll be tearing the tires to shreds.If you don't plan on heavily modding, go with somewhere around 3000.
Don't know how handy you are with the wrenches. I'm very handy, know my way around an engine, and wouln't do this by myself. Since your in NJ, there are a lot of places to do the swap that are really cheap. ECS and Cartek come to mind. For the cost of buying a new Z06 3.42 carrier, they only add like 200 bucks for the install and can do it in a few hours while you wait. 200 is worth more to me than my time to do that install. But if you do decide to do it, get CajunDudes install instructions.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
From: Cranford NJ
OK. I've been infected with the bug, and want to get gears and a SC for my 03 A4 coupe.I'm pretty much settled on 3.42's, and really can't see going to anything else. What kind are best? Should I get a used C5 6spd or a ZO6 pumpkin which is 3.42 I believe( they don't seem to be that much cheaper used with shipping costs, and you don't know what you're getting), or buy a new one? If new, are DTE best, or are any others recommended?
SC kinds? I've seen alot of people say to go with 3000, or 3300 for this set up.They go from 2800 to 3500? What is the difference in drivability in these different SC's.Do the higher ones shift harder? I am NOT A RACER, I just want something with some good power when I want it, but I DEFINITELY DO NOT WANT TO SACRIFICE DRIVABILTY, and add higher noise levels when cruising.
All help and input will be greatly appreciated, cause I only want to do this once, and right.
SC kinds? I've seen alot of people say to go with 3000, or 3300 for this set up.They go from 2800 to 3500? What is the difference in drivability in these different SC's.Do the higher ones shift harder? I am NOT A RACER, I just want something with some good power when I want it, but I DEFINITELY DO NOT WANT TO SACRIFICE DRIVABILTY, and add higher noise levels when cruising.
All help and input will be greatly appreciated, cause I only want to do this once, and right.
We are very close to you. Shoot me a PM if you have any questions or if you just want to stop on by. We'll show you around the shop.
Max
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport TN
I should add that at RPM I just had a level 5 A4 installed w/ a 2800 Vigilante converter. Absolutely love it and can't wait to test this setup at the dragstrip w/ my drag radials in a couple weeks.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 358
Likes: 96
From: Hattiesburg MS
I have a setup similar to what you are talking about, 3.42 gears and a Yank SS3600. My A4 coupe is my DD and I definitely wanted a comfortable drive. I did the gears first and the TC about 6 months later, which i don't recommend I had to do a lot of work twice. When I did the gears, driveability was fine, really like stock with more get up and go off the line. I did ALOT of reading before I chose the 3600 stall TC, like you I did not want to sacrifice any driveability but I wanted to be able to tell a difference in power. The TC was a more noticeable change than the gears, in a good way. The only difference in driveability is that you will run higher RPM's below 40 mph, then the TC will lockup and it will be exactly like stock. However, a hard start from a stand still and the back tires will definitely break loose. 
Something to think about, with 3.42 gears you will need a tune or you will through codes and with a high stall TC you will need a tranny cooler. I am very happy with 3.42 gears and a 3600 TC, if i had it to do over I would not do anything different.
good luck
Something to think about, with 3.42 gears you will need a tune or you will through codes and with a high stall TC you will need a tranny cooler. I am very happy with 3.42 gears and a 3600 TC, if i had it to do over I would not do anything different.good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,506
Likes: 5
From: West Michigan crew Mich
CI 7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08 & '12
Love my 3.73s and Vig. 3200 t/c. I don't race I just wanted more umph from the get go. I got that and then some
Long hi-way trips no problem I lost some gas mileage but I still get better than my wifes 6 cyl. suv
Its a whole lot more fun to drive
Long hi-way trips no problem I lost some gas mileage but I still get better than my wifes 6 cyl. suv Its a whole lot more fun to drive
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
I originally went with the 3.42 gears and a 2800 TC on a H/C modified C5 - good combination! When I had the stroker motor installed I kept the gears but went to a 3200 stall for the bigger cam motor. So, you might figure out where your going with your C5 and just do the upgrade once.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,325
Likes: 0
From: You can't get there from here NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I have a setup similar to what you are talking about, 3.42 gears and a Yank SS3600. My A4 coupe is my DD and I definitely wanted a comfortable drive. I did the gears first and the TC about 6 months later, which i don't recommend I had to do a lot of work twice. When I did the gears, driveability was fine, really like stock with more get up and go off the line. I did ALOT of reading before I chose the 3600 stall TC, like you I did not want to sacrifice any driveability but I wanted to be able to tell a difference in power. The TC was a more noticeable change than the gears, in a good way. The only difference in driveability is that you will run higher RPM's below 40 mph, then the TC will lockup and it will be exactly like stock. However, a hard start from a stand still and the back tires will definitely break loose. Something to think about, with 3.42 gears you will need a tune or you will through codes and with a high stall TC you will need a tranny cooler. I am very happy with 3.42 gears and a 3600 TC, if i had it to do over I would not do anything different.
good luck
Something to think about, with 3.42 gears you will need a tune or you will through codes and with a high stall TC you will need a tranny cooler. I am very happy with 3.42 gears and a 3600 TC, if i had it to do over I would not do anything different.good luck
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport TN
Not sure a tune would change that delay between 2/3. Even after all my upgrades and a Transgo shift kit, I still notice that little delay while the A4 "thinks" about going into 3rd after I manually shift it.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,325
Likes: 0
From: You can't get there from here NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Thanks for all the info guys.I don't see going for heads and a cam in the future for me, so I guess it's just gears and a tc.I got an invite from a member here in NJ who has pretty much what I want in his car. His friend who is a GM mechanic has a car that is similar too ( higher stall), and they suggested I take a ride and see what each one is like first hand.This is why I love this place! I may be going to Etown for the Challenge this weekend to drive them and see. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
Let it shift automatically and it will be shifted electronically, are you faster the the speed of light?
And no I'm not busting your chops, check the service manual by shifting manually you over ride the electronics.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 2
From: Palm Desert CA
I have a setup similar to what you are talking about, 3.42 gears and a Yank SS3600. My A4 coupe is my DD and I definitely wanted a comfortable drive. I did the gears first and the TC about 6 months later, which i don't recommend I had to do a lot of work twice. When I did the gears, driveability was fine, really like stock with more get up and go off the line. I did ALOT of reading before I chose the 3600 stall TC, like you I did not want to sacrifice any driveability but I wanted to be able to tell a difference in power. The TC was a more noticeable change than the gears, in a good way. The only difference in driveability is that you will run higher RPM's below 40 mph, then the TC will lockup and it will be exactly like stock. However, a hard start from a stand still and the back tires will definitely break loose. Something to think about, with 3.42 gears you will need a tune or you will through codes and with a high stall TC you will need a tranny cooler. I am very happy with 3.42 gears and a 3600 TC, if i had it to do over I would not do anything different.
good luck
Something to think about, with 3.42 gears you will need a tune or you will through codes and with a high stall TC you will need a tranny cooler. I am very happy with 3.42 gears and a 3600 TC, if i had it to do over I would not do anything different.good luck
