Performance axle
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Performance axle
Back in 2002 I had a vert with z51 and performance axle (auto). A couple of months ago I bought a 97 coupe and it just doesn't seem to have the spunk/quickness as the 2002 vert.
How much of an issue is it to change to the performance axle from the stock one - Does the brain box need to be reprogrammed? Taken to a auto shop is it a major job (3 hrs? 5 hrs?).
Are the gears I'm looking for 3.42?
Tks, B&B
How much of an issue is it to change to the performance axle from the stock one - Does the brain box need to be reprogrammed? Taken to a auto shop is it a major job (3 hrs? 5 hrs?).
Are the gears I'm looking for 3.42?
Tks, B&B
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
The stock performance axle ratio is 3.15. 
that you may as well do 3.42s if you're going to do it. It'll feel like you have an extra 50 horsepower over the 2.73s you have in there now.
I don't know how many hours a shop will bill you for doing this but it'll be a little pricey as you have to drop the rear cradle. It's not too bad a job to do yourself if you have the ability and the tools. Here's a writeup that'll show you what you're up against http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...on-photos.html
No reprogramming necessary but you might want to have the speedometer re-calibrated to account for the larger gearing. A diablo predator handheld tuner can do this for you. It will also allow you to reprogram the shift points and firmness on your auto which will really wake it up. Look for one in the for sale section on here...
that you may as well do 3.42s if you're going to do it. It'll feel like you have an extra 50 horsepower over the 2.73s you have in there now.I don't know how many hours a shop will bill you for doing this but it'll be a little pricey as you have to drop the rear cradle. It's not too bad a job to do yourself if you have the ability and the tools. Here's a writeup that'll show you what you're up against http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...on-photos.html
No reprogramming necessary but you might want to have the speedometer re-calibrated to account for the larger gearing. A diablo predator handheld tuner can do this for you. It will also allow you to reprogram the shift points and firmness on your auto which will really wake it up. Look for one in the for sale section on here...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
It is no more than a 5 hour job. If they know what they are doing 3.5 to 4 hours. I was with the tech when he did mine and it took him 4 hours but he let me clean the cradle up before putting it back together.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Tomball Texas
No reprogramming necessary but you might want to have the speedometer re-calibrated to account for the larger gearing. A diablo predator handheld tuner can do this for you. It will also allow you to reprogram the shift points and firmness on your auto which will really wake it up. Look for one in the for sale section on here...
I went from 2.73 to 3.42 and love them.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Tks all...
I think the next stop is new exhaust (stingers??) and new gears. I figure since I'm replacing the exhaust it would be a good time for the gears.
I'll have to post pics as soon as I can find the camera charger. Its a beautiful stock Nassau coupe, but it really needs a little more pep.
I think the next stop is new exhaust (stingers??) and new gears. I figure since I'm replacing the exhaust it would be a good time for the gears.
I'll have to post pics as soon as I can find the camera charger. Its a beautiful stock Nassau coupe, but it really needs a little more pep.
