Change gear, change torque conv. too???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Brownstown MI
Change gear, change torque conv. too???
I was planning on changing rear gear from 2.73 to 3.42 ~ I was told its recommended to change torque converter at same time... is this true? What exactly does the converter do? What else needs to be addressed when changing gear? Does the 3.42 fit into the 2.73 casing? Anyone have this done that can share how much it cost?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
From: Mesa Arizona
3.42's for 2.73's is a nice swap. Typically this swap is the entire assembly, housing and all, not just gears. You will loose a tad of gas mileage, 2, 3, 4, max. depends how you drive but it makes the car very quick. You will love it! The gears and a really good transmission tune will put a smile on your face.
The TC, well that's another story. If you like the feel of a slipping clutch then go for it. Personally I don't like them for driving on the street. Do lots of searches on here and READ, READ, READ! about higher (than stock) stall TC's. You will hear lots of "it drives like stock". All I will say to this is Buyer Beware!
Do a search" Mike Mercury" and read his thread about his TC. This would be the only TC that I would consider for my car. By the way I had a 2800 stall and I hated it so I put the stock unit back in.
If you have a "built" motor which requires a higher than stock idle then you will need one. If not, I would just do the gears for now.
Bob
The TC, well that's another story. If you like the feel of a slipping clutch then go for it. Personally I don't like them for driving on the street. Do lots of searches on here and READ, READ, READ! about higher (than stock) stall TC's. You will hear lots of "it drives like stock". All I will say to this is Buyer Beware!
Do a search" Mike Mercury" and read his thread about his TC. This would be the only TC that I would consider for my car. By the way I had a 2800 stall and I hated it so I put the stock unit back in.
If you have a "built" motor which requires a higher than stock idle then you will need one. If not, I would just do the gears for now.
Bob
Last edited by bcseitz; Jun 4, 2008 at 07:05 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul MN
I was planning on changing rear gear from 2.73 to 3.42 ~ I was told its recommended to change torque converter at same time... is this true? What exactly does the converter do? What else needs to be addressed when changing gear? Does the 3.42 fit into the 2.73 casing? Anyone have this done that can share how much it cost?
The stock converter has a maximum stall speed of about 1400-1600rpm. So imagine when you get on it from a low speed, the converter will slip enough to allow the motor to reach 1400-1600rpm. There isn't much power at that RPM so not much power is getting to the wheels. Now imagine the difference a converter that will allow the motor to spin at 3500-4000rpm under the same senario....lots of power getting to the rear wheels.
I would recommend upgrading to atleast a 2200 rpm unit as long as your going to be in there anyway. With a 2200 rpm unit your only noticable diff will likely be at WOT. I think this is what Mike M. went with.
You can usually find a used 3.42 unit for about $500-$650. You should be able to pick up a new unit for around $1300.
There are basically 2 types of factory 3.42 rearends. 1)The standard rearend that came in all manual transmission vehicles or the 2)SP (shot-peened) unit that came in the Z06s...which is supposed to be a little stronger.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul MN
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
I did a 3.42/Yank SS3200 TC/AR header upgrade to the wife's '02 coupe last year and it was an excellent improvement. I was particularly wary of returning a "sloppy" feeling car to her so I asked a lot of questions and took my time before deciding on the Yank. The car does not feel the least bit loose - in fact, it feels much more responsive than stock. I also tuned it myself with EFI Live by adjusting the shift points, pressures and torque management. Here's a thread on my install.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1753571
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1753571
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
As mentioned when doing a gear swap i would purchase a complete unit rather than installing new gears in your differential--These differentials are very precise units and the tolerances are so close that there is not much room for error--There are many used 3.42 complete assemblies out there that are take-offs from a Z06--I found mine for $600 and it only had 10k miles on it---While the diff is out--only5-6 bolts more get your trans out so it is a perfect time to install a stall converter---If you want something mild and hardly noticable i would get at least a 2400-2600 stall---BUT when you romp on it --it will really come alive !!! I went with a mild 2600 and it works great--One of the best mods you can do to a stock motor to wake it up--The combination of the 3.42 and 2600 stall would be good for at least 1/2 second in the 1/4--------
PS In hindsight i would have gone with a 2800-3000---Still very street friendly but requires more throttle to get it to move from a dead stop--but good for another 2-3 tenths in the 1/4--
PS In hindsight i would have gone with a 2800-3000---Still very street friendly but requires more throttle to get it to move from a dead stop--but good for another 2-3 tenths in the 1/4--
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Laplace Louisiana
Might burn a little more gas,will pull harder from low end rpm but I dont like for every day driver, since you probably wont be driving your vette everyday, up to you. I've always had stalls in my old hot rodes and will be changing to a 3.42 in my c5 this weekend but will not be changing the stall. Tring not to have a lot of traction problems. Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,856
Likes: 242
From: Hillsboro OR
I did the 2:73 to 3:42 swap and installed a Yank 2800 Stall converter. 
The 2800 stall adds a nice kick to launches and it still fels VERY close to stock. I hardly feel the looseness. You'll love the change.
The 2800 stall adds a nice kick to launches and it still fels VERY close to stock. I hardly feel the looseness. You'll love the change.
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