Gears
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '06
Gears
OK, Christmas is over and I hope you all had a merry Christmas and a safe one
I have a few extra $ from Christmas and I'm thinking of MODS
My A4 with its 2.73 gears seems alwful slow for a vette. I previously put headers, pipes, stal and a different intake system on it. I don't take it to the track just weekends and sometimes to work. What are the pros and cons of changing out to 3.42? How much of a difference will I notice? Any comments or advise is appreciated
I have a few extra $ from Christmas and I'm thinking of MODS My A4 with its 2.73 gears seems alwful slow for a vette. I previously put headers, pipes, stal and a different intake system on it. I don't take it to the track just weekends and sometimes to work. What are the pros and cons of changing out to 3.42? How much of a difference will I notice? Any comments or advise is appreciated
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 30,045
Likes: 4
From: Danville Virginia
Gary, I had ECS install a 3:42 in my 01 coupe this spring. You will need to have the computer reprogrammed for the new gear ratio. This is my favorite mod to date. The car is much quicker off the line. I lost about 3-4 miles per gallon. You will be very happy with the new gears.
Chuck
Chuck
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,359
Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
OK, Christmas is over and I hope you all had a merry Christmas and a safe one I have a few extra $ from Christmas and I'm thinking of MODS My A4 with its 2.73 gears seems alwful slow for a vette. I previously put headers, pipes, stal and a different intake system on it. I don't take it to the track just weekends and sometimes to work. What are the pros and cons of changing out to 3.42? How much of a difference will I notice? Any comments or advise is appreciated
I have a few extra $ from Christmas and I'm thinking of MODS My A4 with its 2.73 gears seems alwful slow for a vette. I previously put headers, pipes, stal and a different intake system on it. I don't take it to the track just weekends and sometimes to work. What are the pros and cons of changing out to 3.42? How much of a difference will I notice? Any comments or advise is appreciated
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,359
Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
Sure you can, provided you have the correct tools and expertise. Most guys opt for the whole unit. It's easy to swap out. Even though I do all my own work, I would rather buy a complete assembly, with regards to a tranny or differential, than tear it apart myself.
wsph
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Bristol Ct.
You will love the difference with the 3.42 gears, My wife gave me Long tube headers, high flow cats, X-pipe and xpipe along with the 3.42 gears, I had it fine tuned , I also had previously done a borla exhaust and vararam . I am getting about 350 hp. to the rear wheel but it really takes off with the 3.42 gears. I can't wait to see what the wife gives me for X-mas next year.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 9
From: Dublin GA
Go with the GEARS!!
If you go ahead and install a stall convertor at the same time, you will not BELIEVE the difference it will make.
FOR and AWAY the best mod for an auto!
You will not mind a small drop off in gas milage, since you'll still get excellent mileage for the performance you'll gain.
I personally wouldn't go with the ring gear install. This could be a major headach if it's not done right, and there are some good deals on rear ends on the forum.
If you go ahead and install a stall convertor at the same time, you will not BELIEVE the difference it will make. FOR and AWAY the best mod for an auto! You will not mind a small drop off in gas milage, since you'll still get excellent mileage for the performance you'll gain.
I personally wouldn't go with the ring gear install. This could be a major headach if it's not done right, and there are some good deals on rear ends on the forum.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 262
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From: Lumberton TX
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 116
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From: Boise Idaho
Let me join in with the 3.42 choir. Sweet! Your car will be MUCH quicker off the line.
Change the entire pumpkin. Break in the gears with OEM lube then change to synthetic after about 500 miles. Since you would be changing the gears it is a good time to upgrade the torque converter.
Save yourself some money and do it all at the same time. I am very pleased with my Yank SS3200 but I understand the Vigilante 2800 is also a very good set up.
Update to your CUSTOM PCM tune. If you haven't got one already you really should. It is perhaps the best bang for the buck after a CAI.
The combo of gears and torque converter should put a big grin on your face and most others in your rear view mirror.
Good luck.
Change the entire pumpkin. Break in the gears with OEM lube then change to synthetic after about 500 miles. Since you would be changing the gears it is a good time to upgrade the torque converter.
Save yourself some money and do it all at the same time. I am very pleased with my Yank SS3200 but I understand the Vigilante 2800 is also a very good set up.
Update to your CUSTOM PCM tune. If you haven't got one already you really should. It is perhaps the best bang for the buck after a CAI.
The combo of gears and torque converter should put a big grin on your face and most others in your rear view mirror.
Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,825
Likes: 221
From: Hillsboro OR
Another vote for the 3:42 gears! I put in a DTE 3:42 and a Yank 2800 stall and WOOOOO-WWHHHOOOOOO!!!. It is a completely different car. You are correct the 2:73 rear end feels anemic. This will completely cure it. 
It is a completely different car. You are correct the 2:73 rear end feels anemic. This will completely cure it.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
back in the muscle car era;some were so good at doing it - that they could swap rear gears (just the actual gears) in 30 minutes. Back then - if you made a small mistake (and for the discussion... lets say this small mistake caused gear whine to develop) it was just another 30 minutes to correct the small mistake.
The C5's rear transaxle design makes it take a lot of labor hours to just get to where you could replace the internal gears. So; you want it done right the first time... by someone that is a professional at changing gears in this unique Getrag manufactured carrier (diff).
You don't want to be R&R'ing the carrier a couple of times - to correct rookie mistakes in swapping out the internal gears.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
oh; and here's a primer on rear diff swapping for the C5:
http://mikemercury.home.att.net/342.htm
and here's an inexpsnsive -no external cooler needed- converter upgrade:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1715694
http://mikemercury.home.att.net/342.htm
and here's an inexpsnsive -no external cooler needed- converter upgrade:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1715694