rear gears?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: PEORIA IL
rear gears?
How hard is it to change the gears in my c5? Would 3.73 or a 4.10 be good with a automatic car? Does any one have a directions on how it is done. Iv done plenty in camaro's but this is way different looking to me. 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
You need to buy a rebuilt differential with the gearset you want already installed as swapping gears in these diffs is no easy feat. You can also have an experienced shop install the gears you want for you - the operative word here is "experienced". The most popular ratio in the A4 is 3.42 but all different ratios have been installed; the lower gears are less common though.
Below is a thread on my 3.42 diff swap, among other mods I did at the same time. I would suggest a high-stall TC as well. A tune is imperative to adjust the shift points to accomodate the new ratio as well as possibly increasing pressures, etc.
Btw, the torque tube and tranny do not need to come out just to swap the diff. The torque tube does not need to come out if the tranny, TC and diff are being removed either. The drivetrain is tilted down to allow the tranny and diff to be slid out the back to leave the torque tube in place.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...mega-pics.html
Below is a thread on my 3.42 diff swap, among other mods I did at the same time. I would suggest a high-stall TC as well. A tune is imperative to adjust the shift points to accomodate the new ratio as well as possibly increasing pressures, etc.
Btw, the torque tube and tranny do not need to come out just to swap the diff. The torque tube does not need to come out if the tranny, TC and diff are being removed either. The drivetrain is tilted down to allow the tranny and diff to be slid out the back to leave the torque tube in place.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...mega-pics.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: PEORIA IL
How much is a rebuilt diff? where do you get one? Your pix's are sweet, very NICE. Where do you live? When do you want to do mine? lol That lookes like a ton of work. My car has headers, exhaust and a built trans. Mine shifts like a ton of bricks, (the wife dont like that.) I also had it tuned,
You need to buy a rebuilt differential with the gearset you want already installed as swapping gears in these diffs is no easy feat. You can also have an experienced shop install the gears you want for you - the operative word here is "experienced". The most popular ratio in the A4 is 3.42 but all different ratios have been installed; the lower gears are less common though.
Below is a thread on my 3.42 diff swap, among other mods I did at the same time. I would suggest a high-stall TC as well. A tune is imperative to adjust the shift points to accomodate the new ratio as well as possibly increasing pressures, etc.
Btw, the torque tube and tranny do not need to come out just to swap the diff. The torque tube does not need to come out if the tranny, TC and diff are being removed either. The drivetrain is tilted down to allow the tranny and diff to be slid out the back to leave the torque tube in place.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...mega-pics.html
Below is a thread on my 3.42 diff swap, among other mods I did at the same time. I would suggest a high-stall TC as well. A tune is imperative to adjust the shift points to accomodate the new ratio as well as possibly increasing pressures, etc.
Btw, the torque tube and tranny do not need to come out just to swap the diff. The torque tube does not need to come out if the tranny, TC and diff are being removed either. The drivetrain is tilted down to allow the tranny and diff to be slid out the back to leave the torque tube in place.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...mega-pics.html
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Forum vendors such as DTE sell different levels of diffs with whatever ratio you are looking for. It is a lot of work but not difficult. You can see I did it alone and a lift is not required. A diff swap is less work if that's all you're doing.
http://www.dynotech-eng.com/
http://www.dynotech-eng.com/
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 67
From: Mechanicsburg PA
A brand new OEM diff with the 3.42 ratio is roughly $1400. See forum vendor gmpartshouse.com.
A "built" diff (as in upgraded internals) from a forum vendor such as DTE (www.dynotech-eng.com) is more expensive, ~1800 and up. You also have to send in your "core" (the diff you remove) or you will be charged an additonal fee.
A used diff (keep your eye on the parts for sale section of this site) will run you roughly $500-800 depending on gear ratio and mileage (in general 3.73 and 4.10s are at the high end...fewer of them out there) .
It takes a special tool set and the knowledge/experience to swap the ring and pinion and thus for most of us is not a DIY job. Its a specialty shop job and thats why most of us end up getting a whole new unit (new or used).
Using a lift and two guys - myself and a buddy can get the diff out and a replacement back in in approx 4 hrs (we've done it four times now). Thats on a manual, I'm not sure of the differences with the auto.
One last thing - if you are a DIY type, its a good idea to have the service manual. There is an old post on this site you can find (I don't have a link but you can probably search for 'service manual' or something like that) that describes how to download it and install it on your computer. This is invaluable.
HTH
A "built" diff (as in upgraded internals) from a forum vendor such as DTE (www.dynotech-eng.com) is more expensive, ~1800 and up. You also have to send in your "core" (the diff you remove) or you will be charged an additonal fee.
A used diff (keep your eye on the parts for sale section of this site) will run you roughly $500-800 depending on gear ratio and mileage (in general 3.73 and 4.10s are at the high end...fewer of them out there) .
It takes a special tool set and the knowledge/experience to swap the ring and pinion and thus for most of us is not a DIY job. Its a specialty shop job and thats why most of us end up getting a whole new unit (new or used).
Using a lift and two guys - myself and a buddy can get the diff out and a replacement back in in approx 4 hrs (we've done it four times now). Thats on a manual, I'm not sure of the differences with the auto.
One last thing - if you are a DIY type, its a good idea to have the service manual. There is an old post on this site you can find (I don't have a link but you can probably search for 'service manual' or something like that) that describes how to download it and install it on your computer. This is invaluable.
HTH
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville Florida
what gears do you have now? Automatic had 2.73 or the 3.15's. The 3.15 to a 3.73 or whatever is easier/cheaper from what i have seen because its the same size (size 3 diff) 2.73 is a series 2 rear. You have to get thicker gear sets to upgrade the series 2 to a 3 series gear set. Or you can do as mentioned above and get a whole new diff with 3.42s in it from any manual C5.
We have a vendor on here I believe (or maybe it was on ls1tech.....cant recall) called jawsgears. They had good prices, and carried the "thick" gear sets which is needed to put 3 series gears in a 2 series carrier.
her ya go
http://www.jawsgear.com/M-MotivePerf...duct_info.html
this is the 3.73 thick set for the 2 series (2.73 gear diff)
We have a vendor on here I believe (or maybe it was on ls1tech.....cant recall) called jawsgears. They had good prices, and carried the "thick" gear sets which is needed to put 3 series gears in a 2 series carrier.
her ya go
http://www.jawsgear.com/M-MotivePerf...duct_info.html
this is the 3.73 thick set for the 2 series (2.73 gear diff)
Last edited by DeBaGo; Sep 3, 2009 at 01:29 PM. Reason: WEBSITE
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,337
Likes: 39
From: Birmingham, AL www.hinsonsupercars.com 205-909-9402
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
If you are looking for new 4:10 ring and pinions gears I some for sale for $200 plus shipping. There are pics
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...ucks-more.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...ucks-more.html
wsph
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Bristol Ct.
Hey Patches EXCELLENT THREAD I have a question for you, what was the reason you installed a tranny cooler. The reason I am asking I did simular mods as you. I have a 04 vert and put in a 3.42 diff,longtube headers, x-pipe , Borla exhaust , vararam and had it dyno'd. And occasionally if I drive for approx 1 hr. on a highway and get off on city streets when I start off it bangs hard into 2nd gear. Then if I stop for a while and start the car and drive off it is fine, do you think yhe tranny is getting hot? I brought the car back to where it was tuned and they they say the shift settings are correct and even dropped the pan on the tranny and it is fine. The car only has 6000 miles so I do not think it is a major problem with the tranny . Any input would be appreciated Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 67
From: Mechanicsburg PA
I have only swaped complete differentials in and out, never tackled the internal ring and pinion. But I've been told some special tools are required and I remember a fellow forum member selling them a while back. I just did a search on that big auction site for "Getrag" and found several "Kent Moore Corvette Getrag Rear Axle Tools" for sale. Its a kit with various gear pullers, bearing removers, etc. I think this is what you need but don't quote me on that. Perhaps someone else with more knowledge can explain exactly what is needed.
