Changing Gear Ratios
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Denver CO
Changing Gear Ratios
I am going to change rear end ratio on my 2002 C5 A4 from stock 273 to 373. Does anyone have recommendation as to whether to best to change entire pumpkin or less expensive method of just changing gears.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,005
Likes: 38
From: jackson nj
If there is a shop in your area that can do the gear swap and will warranty it's operation, then that would be the best way. If you don't have a shop that can handle the job, then a place like DTE would be your best choice, as they warranty it for noise and operation. If you have the cash and time, I'd buy a 3.15 or 3.42 rear and have that one done, that way if you don't like it you can put back a known piece. That is the only regret I had when I had 4.10's installed....6 times!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
Many here say 3:42 is about as low a gear as you want to go with an A4. You should be able to get a used 3:42 pretty easily since all M6's come with those gears and guys change them out often for 3:90's and 4:10's but to answer your question gear changes in a Getrag rear are very difficult and require someone with specific knowledge with these rears. Therefor most folks go with the complete rear and is what I am doing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 908
Likes: 4
From: TROY MI
I went with the gear change (3.73) and love them. You need to have the 3.15 diff. or the 3.73 gears won't fit. I think DTE can use the 2.73 but they are expensive. All other shops need to use the 3.15 diff. Lot's of people running the 3.73 and are happy with them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
3.73's on a daily driver here, and I wouldn't have it any other way - see sig for mods
Also, you want to swap the ENTIRE pumpkin - VERY few shops in the USofA can correctly install the gears and not end up w/ a whiner.
Also, you want to swap the ENTIRE pumpkin - VERY few shops in the USofA can correctly install the gears and not end up w/ a whiner.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 17,681
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From: Central Jersey
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Since you are starting with a 2.73 rear I would suggest going to a brand new Z06 complete carrier. That way its pretty easy to have a shop just swap the complete carriers. You will then need someone to do the trans tuning for you.
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