Gear change
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 623
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From: SpringHill Florida
Gear change
Currently own 99 coupe with stock everything 3:15 rear.
I am going to replace complete rear and rebuild or replace automatic.
Will 3:42 gears be ok or should I consider another ratio? I drive this car 69 mi. each way to work 4 days a week. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I am going to replace complete rear and rebuild or replace automatic.
Will 3:42 gears be ok or should I consider another ratio? I drive this car 69 mi. each way to work 4 days a week. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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
I've been asking about this kind of thing too, and I posted a thread last week about gears and a TC. The consensus from actual vendors who install these things is that a 3.42, and a 3000 TC is about ideal for most people, giving you better torque and acceleration, yet maintaining driveablity.Some people want to go higher, but with an A4, I'm not sure it is a good idea especially if it is your DD. I'm saving my money, and will probably get the 3.42's, with a 3000TC sometime this summer. However, you may not notice that much difference though between a 3.15, and a 3.42 from what I've read here.Are you sure you've got a 3.15, since you say the car is stock? I thought the stock A4 was a 2.73, unless it was ordered with an optional 3.15.
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 643
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From: New York
I've been asking about this kind of thing too, and I posted a thread last week about gears and a TC. The consensus from actual vendors who install these things is that a 3.42, and a 3000 TC is about ideal for most people, giving you better torque and acceleration, yet maintaining driveablity.Some people want to go higher, but with an A4, I'm not sure it is a good idea especially if it is your DD. I'm saving my money, and will probably get the 3.42's, with a 3000TC sometime this summer. However, you may not notice that much difference though between a 3.15, and a 3.42 from what I've read here.Are you sure you've got a 3.15, since you say the car is stock? I thought the stock A4 was a 2.73, unless it was ordered with an optional 3.15.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,145
Likes: 1
From: Bradenton FLORIDA
We are right in your backyard....give us a call & we will discuss in-depth your options & the plusses & minuses. You can also drive our shop C5 with 3:42's and a Yank TC to see if that is what you want to achieve.
813-628-0080 www.RevXtreme.com
813-628-0080 www.RevXtreme.com
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,154
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From: Murphy TX
Cruise-In II Veteran
I like 3.73s myself. If it were me driving that much (and I'm assuming highway) though, I would probably want to keep the 3.15s. Are you planning to stick with the stock converter or no? You might consider a small converter and keeping (or refreshing) your 3.15s, kinda depends on what you are trying to accomplish with the gear change.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 623
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From: SpringHill Florida
I developed a chatter when pulling out of a driveway or parking space after the car is parked for an hour or so. I am assuming with the 111k mi on the tranny and the rear it might just be time to replace.
The fluid and additive change did not improve things and actually is more noticeable now. The reason I am looking at the 3:42 is because a new rear is available to me for 1300.00 and I figured i probably couldn't get it repaired for that much.The tranny needs to be gone through also as it sometimes takes more time going from 1st to 2nd and then will hit really hard. I am open to rebuilding and will explore costs. I would like a little more oomph out of it if possible.
The fluid and additive change did not improve things and actually is more noticeable now. The reason I am looking at the 3:42 is because a new rear is available to me for 1300.00 and I figured i probably couldn't get it repaired for that much.The tranny needs to be gone through also as it sometimes takes more time going from 1st to 2nd and then will hit really hard. I am open to rebuilding and will explore costs. I would like a little more oomph out of it if possible.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
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From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
I too will be going to 3.42's in the very near future with my Vette from 3.15's!
With the 3.15's your getting pretty good gas mileage! With the 3.42's it willl not be a drastic change but when you go over 3.42's and the distance you are driving you will suffer with gas mileage!
The 3.42's will give your Vette some serious POP! Here is a chart that was sent to me for the RPM'd VS. GEAR Ratio's so you can see where you will be at cruising speeds!
Hope this helps!
Thanks,Matt
With the 3.15's your getting pretty good gas mileage! With the 3.42's it willl not be a drastic change but when you go over 3.42's and the distance you are driving you will suffer with gas mileage!
The 3.42's will give your Vette some serious POP! Here is a chart that was sent to me for the RPM'd VS. GEAR Ratio's so you can see where you will be at cruising speeds!
Hope this helps!
Thanks,Matt
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,145
Likes: 1
From: Bradenton FLORIDA
Matts got it right. The 3.73's are to much for the higway....3.42's give the best of both worlds w/out the fuel mileage suffering much. A 3200 stal TC will shave .5-.7 seconds off your 1/4 mile times vs a stock TC. You will need to add a tranny cooler as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: You can't get there from here NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
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From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
Currently own 99 coupe with stock everything 3:15 rear.
I am going to replace complete rear and rebuild or replace automatic.
Will 3:42 gears be ok or should I consider another ratio? I drive this car 69 mi. each way to work 4 days a week. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I am going to replace complete rear and rebuild or replace automatic.
Will 3:42 gears be ok or should I consider another ratio? I drive this car 69 mi. each way to work 4 days a week. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
EDIT: Stock means as it left the factory, an A4 w/3.15's is still stock
Last edited by chaase; May 16, 2007 at 05:35 PM.
Love my 3.42
Pro
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From: Littleton NC
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,154
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From: Murphy TX
Cruise-In II Veteran
Here's overall ratios in each gear for each type tansmission (ignoring TC slop for the auto):
Code:
Trans 2.73 3.15 3.42 3.73 3.90 4.10
--------------------------( A4 )---------------------------
3.06 8.35 9.64 10.47 11.41 11.93 12.55
1.62 4.42 5.10 5.54 6.04 6.32 6.64
1.00 2.73 3.15 3.42 3.73 3.90 4.10
0.70 1.91 2.20 2.39 2.61 2.73 2.87
--------------------------( MN6 )--------------------------
2.66 7.26 8.38 9.10 9.92 10.37 10.91
1.78 4.86 5.61 6.09 6.64 6.94 7.30
1.30 3.55 4.09 4.45 4.85 5.07 5.33
1.00 2.73 3.15 3.42 3.73 3.90 4.10
0.74 2.02 2.33 2.53 2.76 2.89 3.03
0.50 1.36 1.57 1.71 1.86 1.95 2.05
--------------------------( M12 )--------------------------
2.97 8.11 9.36 10.16 11.08 11.58 12.18
2.07 5.65 6.52 7.08 7.72 8.07 8.49
1.43 3.90 4.50 4.89 5.33 5.58 5.86
1.00 2.73 3.15 3.42 3.73 3.90 4.10
0.84 2.29 2.65 2.87 3.13 3.28 3.44
0.56 1.53 1.76 1.92 2.09 2.18 2.30
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: SpringHill Florida
Thanks everyone for the input I am having conversation with Revextreme about costs and options.I should be going with the 3:42 but am wondering if the TC change is necessary,can it be left stock?.I will have the tranny rebuilt at the same time.I don't race this car as I have an ElCamino for the 1/4 mile dash. FYI Revextreme worked on my car last year and they do run a nice shop.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
Thanks everyone for the input I am having conversation with Revextreme about costs and options.I should be going with the 3:42 but am wondering if the TC change is necessary,can it be left stock?.I will have the tranny rebuilt at the same time.I don't race this car as I have an ElCamino for the 1/4 mile dash. FYI Revextreme worked on my car last year and they do run a nice shop.