Help - A4 - 3.42 or 3.73
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Hauppauge NY
Help - A4 - 3.42 or 3.73
All this talk about gears and I still don't know what to do!
I have the 3.15 gears now, and I can't decide if I should go with the 3.42's or the 3.73's.
I know there is a big $$ difference, but I want to make the best decision and do it only once.
Can anyone tell me what the driveability is like with the 3.73's?
I know most of you guys are really into some heavy mods, but I don't plan on doing much more than what I've already done (intake and Exhaust).
I want the car to be more fun to drive. The 3.15's don't even seem to keep the motor in the power band (I can't imagine how bad the 2.73's are).
I use the car alot and I don't want to make it into a weekend only hot rod.
I need to be happy with it all week long (my wife drives it as well and thinks the Tri-flows are too loud).
Please help me make the right decision.
Thanks, Tom
I have the 3.15 gears now, and I can't decide if I should go with the 3.42's or the 3.73's.
I know there is a big $$ difference, but I want to make the best decision and do it only once.
Can anyone tell me what the driveability is like with the 3.73's?
I know most of you guys are really into some heavy mods, but I don't plan on doing much more than what I've already done (intake and Exhaust).
I want the car to be more fun to drive. The 3.15's don't even seem to keep the motor in the power band (I can't imagine how bad the 2.73's are).
I use the car alot and I don't want to make it into a weekend only hot rod.
I need to be happy with it all week long (my wife drives it as well and thinks the Tri-flows are too loud).
Please help me make the right decision.
Thanks, Tom
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 373
Likes: 20
From: NW Indiana
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Help - A4 - 3.42 or 3.73 (bean0820)
If you can afford go for the 3.73's. I had the 3.15's and installed the 3.73's and the drivability is great. I went from a high of 28 mph on highway to 25-26 mpg on highway. The 1-2 shift comes quick along with breaking the tires loose at full throttle on the 1-2 shift. A lot of people told me I was crazy and they were all full of sh__. I kept the stock convertor because I take it to a racetrack more than I go to the dragstrip. When I bought the car I was into drags and not racetrack that is why I got the Auto.
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 373
Likes: 20
From: NW Indiana
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Help - A4 - 3.42 or 3.73 (bean0820)
Yes, Steve Cole(powerloader) did my program for shift points and shift firmness. His programming is top notch if you can wait for it. The auto runs like it should now.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: Help - A4 - 3.42 or 3.73 (bean0820)
I went from 2.73's to 3.73's and am glad I did! :jester I also put in a Sy3500 converter.
This combo gives you the ultimate in acceleration for everyday driving. I never have been into that WOT high speed run thing. I like that drag strip acceleration feel.
Ed Wright programmed my PCM and the trans is much more responsive to throttle position now and it shifts much firmer.
These mods will give you the biggest bang for the buck without going into the motor or putting on power adders and yet you can still drive the car across the country. Makes it a great everyday driver without turning it into an all out hotrod.
You do lose a couple MPG, but that was a small price to pay for the fun I have with the car now. :D Just my .02 worth and experiences. :cheers:
Jim
This combo gives you the ultimate in acceleration for everyday driving. I never have been into that WOT high speed run thing. I like that drag strip acceleration feel.
Ed Wright programmed my PCM and the trans is much more responsive to throttle position now and it shifts much firmer.
These mods will give you the biggest bang for the buck without going into the motor or putting on power adders and yet you can still drive the car across the country. Makes it a great everyday driver without turning it into an all out hotrod.
You do lose a couple MPG, but that was a small price to pay for the fun I have with the car now. :D Just my .02 worth and experiences. :cheers:
Jim
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,154
Likes: 1
From: Murphy TX
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Help - A4 - 3.42 or 3.73 (bean0820)
I think your selection of torque converter is what could make the car a pleasure to drive or unbearable or anywhere in between. Staying with the stocker for a daily driver that doesn't see much strip action is actually not a bad idea.
The trick is to figure out what you *really* want out of the car first, then build for that. You'll be much happier that way. It can get expensive changing your mind on rear ends. :D Call me whipped but maybe you want to get some input from the wife unit on the "what do you want" point since she'll be driving it too. ;)
As a plug for the 3.73s, remember that there's more than just a gearing difference between the two units. The 3.73s are beefier. :smash:
The trick is to figure out what you *really* want out of the car first, then build for that. You'll be much happier that way. It can get expensive changing your mind on rear ends. :D Call me whipped but maybe you want to get some input from the wife unit on the "what do you want" point since she'll be driving it too. ;)
As a plug for the 3.73s, remember that there's more than just a gearing difference between the two units. The 3.73s are beefier. :smash:
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
Re: Help - A4 - 3.42 or 3.73 (ToplessTexan)
IMO, the only down side is the lack of traction on stock runflats during WOT launches. Otherwise during normal street driving it is a blast. When you floor it to pass someone on the highway it feels like you hit the nitrous!
I would definitely put a converter in as well.
I would definitely put a converter in as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Help - A4 - 3.42 or 3.73 (gsxguy)
The trick is to figure out what you *really* want out of the car first, then build for that.
I always looked at the 3.73 in an A4 as a track/strip setup.
Thank god there is a choice :)
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: Help - A4 - 3.42 or 3.73 (Mystery Fan)
Mystery Fan,
Stock times 1/4 mile were in the 13.30 range. I'll be going to the Vette/Viper Shootout Feb. 10th to see what my Mods yield. :cheers:
Jim
Stock times 1/4 mile were in the 13.30 range. I'll be going to the Vette/Viper Shootout Feb. 10th to see what my Mods yield. :cheers:
Jim
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 373
Likes: 20
From: NW Indiana
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Help - A4 - 3.42 or 3.73 (R BONUS)
I went from a 13.07 to a 12.67 under similar conditions. Only made 3 runs when I got the 12.67. I think I could have gotten lower numbers....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,005
Likes: 38
From: jackson nj
Re: Help - A4 - 3.42 or 3.73 (bean0820)
If you don't plan on doing heads, cam and exhaust, don't bother with 3.73's. If you do go with the H/C & exhaust later, you still have a car that can run in the 11's with the 3.42's and a good converter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,871
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside, Ca. Ca.
Re: Help - A4 - 3.42 or 3.73 (Red98C5)
If you don't plan on doing heads, cam and exhaust, don't bother with 3.73's. If you do go with the H/C & exhaust later, you still have a car that can run in the 11's with the 3.42's and a good converter.
[Modified by bruce1, 5:00 PM 1/18/2002]
[Modified by bruce1, 5:03 PM 1/18/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,466
Likes: 0
From: GARDENA Ca, State Of Konfusion
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Help - A4 - 3.42 or 3.73 (R BONUS)
Mystery Fan,Stock times 1/4 mile were in the 13.30 range. I'll be going to the Vette/Viper Shootout Feb. 10th to see what my Mods yield. :cheers: Jim
Back in the day, the gear was $2400 that was just too much. If I could do it again, I would certainly go 3.73 with a Yank 3500 str 2.3!
