3.42 ???'s

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Dec 5, 2001 | 02:55 PM

revo1059

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 1,004

Likes: 102

From: Buffalo Grove IL

St. Jude Donor '11

3.42 ???'s

Are there any DISadvantages to upgrading to the 3.42's (besides losing gas mileage)? Wear/stress/trans logenvity? WIll I lose top end power? I'm on the fence on this mod.....

Thanks

Dec 5, 2001 | 03:08 PM

WALLstAL

Race Director

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 15,466

Likes: 0

From: GARDENA Ca, State Of Konfusion

St. Jude Donor '05

Re: 3.42 ???'s (revo1059)

You might lose a hair at the top end, but you will never notice it.

The largest disadvantage is that it will hurt your wallet.

Dec 5, 2001 | 03:10 PM

OhSoBlue02

Advanced

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 66

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From: Rowlett TX

Re: 3.42 ???'s (revo1059)

Well, higher gears would put a slightly higher stress on the drivetrain but not enough to worry about unless you're building a 600 rwhp monster hehe. You'd lose a little mileage, and a little top end (run out of gear, not power). Other than that you'd have better acceleration across the board.

I'm planning on going to 3.42's myself when money permits. The difference, numerically, isn't that big really. Someone posted an RPM chart showing 2.73's, 3.15's, 3.42's and 3.73's at the same MPH and the difference is surprisingly small going from say 3.15's to 3.42's.

Dec 5, 2001 | 06:58 PM

BiggieBoy

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 3,123

Likes: 3

From: Orland Park Illinois

St. Jude Donor '06-'07

Re: 3.42 ???'s (revo1059)

I lost about 3 m.p.g @ highway cruzing speed (over 80 MPH) when I switched from my stock 2.73 gear to the 3.42 gears. Along w/ the PL II, its the best mod I've done to my '98 Coupe. Regards---and by the way---Change Those Gears!!!

Dec 5, 2001 | 07:37 PM

Mike Mercury

Team Owner

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 54,204

Likes: 180

From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member

Re: 3.42 ???'s (BiggieBoy)

Quote:

and the difference is surprisingly small going from say 3.15's to 3.42's.

Its an 8.5% change. Not much, yes; but 3.42 is as far as a regularly driven A4 can be taken without having traction issues...

Dec 5, 2001 | 07:37 PM

vstella

Le Mans Master

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 7,294

Likes: 1

From: Coral Springs Florida

Re: 3.42 ???'s (BiggieBoy)

This is the second best mod I have done.Just do it!Be sure you have someone who KNOWS what they are doing to install.

Pics of my Install on my homepage below....

The first was the Transgo Shift Kit:D

Dec 5, 2001 | 08:28 PM

Purerock105

Race Director

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 17,901

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From: Elko, Nevada

Re: 3.42 ???'s (vstella)

vstella,

I have the Powerloader II on order programmed with 3.42's. I'm on the fence with the aftermarket torque converter. I also see that most who DO the 3.42
have one. I don't track the car at all, so I'm not looking to shave a 10th off my quarter mile time. It is REALLY to my advantage to get one? :)

[Modified by Purerock105, 7:29 PM 12/5/2001]

Dec 5, 2001 | 08:33 PM

Mean Green

Team Owner

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 58,783

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From: D*ck ina Box

CI III & IV Vote Ho

CI II, III, IV & V Vet

CI IV Bracket Champ

St. Jude Donor '03-'04

Re: 3.42 ???'s (Purerock105)

well you would track it Mark if you'd come down to Bradenton with us....I don't plan on being a regular racer but will hit the track occasionaly, so I'll change the converter when I do the gears.

if for nothing else, it snaps up the performance of the car and you'll have that "new vette" feeling back :D