3.15's vs 3.42's
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 804
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
3.15's vs 3.42's
I was planning on doing a gear swap after i got some basic modds (intake, exhuast, etc.) but someone in my area is selling some 3.15's for a really good price. I was wondering how they compare to 3.42's. I want to retain good street/highway driveability since my car is mostly a weekend boulevard cruiser. However i do want 12's n/a & 11's on the bottle.
What do you guys recomend for best overall performance?
[Modified by Blac Drop Top, 11:00 PM 8/1/2002]
What do you guys recomend for best overall performance?
[Modified by Blac Drop Top, 11:00 PM 8/1/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Re: 3.15's vs 3.42's (Blac Drop Top)
The Yank 3000 and 3.15s make a very good combination, with exhaust and intake mods. you should be in the 12s N/A with this combo.
98 A4
Powerloaded
Donaldson Blackwing
172 t.stat
Pro Torque 2400
3.42 gears
98 A4
Powerloaded
Donaldson Blackwing
172 t.stat
Pro Torque 2400
3.42 gears
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,450
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City Missouri
Re: 3.15's vs 3.42's (Blac Drop Top)
Hmmmm, your bio says "Mods: Don't need any", I guess you changed your mind, huh? :yesnod: :lol: Well now that the virus has sufficiently taken ahold of you, and your wallet is open, I say if you are going to do it then you should ahead and get the 3.42s they will definitely retain good driveability, and every little bit of extra gear counts, I would have even considered the 3.73s if they didnt cost so much more. :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 32,545
Likes: 2
From: Lithia FL
Cruise-In II & IV Veteran
CI VI Drag Champ!
Re: 3.15's vs 3.42's (Blac Drop Top)
I moved from the 3.15 to the 3.42 when I had my TC installed. I run 12's but probably would have stayed with the 3.15 had I known my cruising RPM would go up 500 - 700 rpm at 70 MPH. Going from 2.73 to 3.42 may raise you 800-1000 rpm at 70 MPH.
Food for thought.
Food for thought.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: 3.15's vs 3.42's (Face)
I moved from the 3.15 to the 3.42 when I had my TC installed. I run 12's but probably would have stayed with the 3.15 had I known my cruising RPM would go up 500 - 700 rpm at 70 MPH. Going from 2.73 to 3.42 may raise you 800-1000 rpm at 70 MPH.
how much of that RPM increase can be attributed to the 3.42's alone? You may have a defective TC... maybe its not locking up.
Stock TC and with the A4 in third gear @ 75mph, there is only a 270 rpm increase with the 3.42 (over the 3.15)... and its even less in 4th overdrive.
I didn't do the math with the OD 4th gear, but it would be less than a 200rpm increase in OD @ 70mph (assuming a locked TC).
[Modified by Mike Mercury, 9:55 AM 8/2/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 996
Likes: 0
From: Frisco Texas
Re: 3.15's vs 3.42's (Blac Drop Top)
I have not driven in a auto with 3.42 but I have the 3.15 and yank 3000. It is a fun combo and when you go wot it really throws you back. The Yank will set you back about 1200 bucks installed so If you got the money get 3.42 but if your on a budget get the 3.15.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 21
From: Roswell GA
Re: 3.15's vs 3.42's (Buckmaster)
And the answer is -
70 mph 2.73's 3rd gear 2484 4th gear 1729
70 mph 3.15's 3rd gear 2866 4th gear 1995
70 mph 3.42's 3rd gear 3112 4th gear 2166
70 mph 3.73's 3rd gear 3394 4th gear 2362
As Mike Mercury said 246 difference in 3rd and 171 in 4th. Very minor. 3.42's over 3.15 is less than 10% so the rpm's can only go up by less than 10% :) :)
[Modified by KingTut, 1:45 AM 8/3/2002]
70 mph 2.73's 3rd gear 2484 4th gear 1729
70 mph 3.15's 3rd gear 2866 4th gear 1995
70 mph 3.42's 3rd gear 3112 4th gear 2166
70 mph 3.73's 3rd gear 3394 4th gear 2362
As Mike Mercury said 246 difference in 3rd and 171 in 4th. Very minor. 3.42's over 3.15 is less than 10% so the rpm's can only go up by less than 10% :) :)
[Modified by KingTut, 1:45 AM 8/3/2002]
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 253
Likes: 1
From: Bossier city, Louisiana
Re: 3.15's vs 3.42's (KingTut)
I'm curious, what difference is there between 2.73 and 3.42? I'm considering changing the rear end out for better gears. I have a cat-back by Flowmaster, but nothing else (yet!). It's a daily driver, but my goal is to be well into the 12's.
Should I go with a stall? I'm not wanting to use Nitto Drags...been there done that with a C4 last year---no wet trackion!
Also, what intake system seems to work best between the ones that don't require cutting?
Thanks. :cool: :cool:
Should I go with a stall? I'm not wanting to use Nitto Drags...been there done that with a C4 last year---no wet trackion!
Also, what intake system seems to work best between the ones that don't require cutting?
Thanks. :cool: :cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
Re: 3.15's vs 3.42's (Iron Maiden Fan)
My car is in the 12s with good air, and I am still running 2.73s. After tuning my goal is 12.5 on a good cool night. But, I am stepping up to 3.15s VERY soon :D
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: 3.15's vs 3.42's (ToplessTexan)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,871
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside, Ca. Ca.
Re: 3.15's vs 3.42's (ToplessTexan)
3.73 :smash:
:smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash:
:smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash:
Do they make anything else?
:D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,397
Likes: 55
From: Dove Mountain, AZ
Re: 3.15's vs 3.42's (Mike Mercury)
Mike at yank said the new SS3200 would be the way to go on the 315's.
It has a 2.1 str for a little more off the line, and he said it would
pull hard in the higher rpm's. He said he will try and put up the dyno
charts on the web site so that we can compare.
It might just be the right thing for 315's. ;)
(mike sure seems to think so) :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
Is there anyone running this on a stock motor?
[Modified by TXSTICK, 8:08 AM 8/3/2002]
It has a 2.1 str for a little more off the line, and he said it would
pull hard in the higher rpm's. He said he will try and put up the dyno
charts on the web site so that we can compare.
It might just be the right thing for 315's. ;)
(mike sure seems to think so) :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
Is there anyone running this on a stock motor?
[Modified by TXSTICK, 8:08 AM 8/3/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 21
From: Roswell GA
Re: 3.15's vs 3.42's (TXSTICK)
I updated my prior post to include 2.73's, 3.12's, 3.42's and 3.73's :)
Also I think the ole Mike (Yank) is catching on the best ET is not the only measure of whether we like a converter or not and finally giving us some more low rpm grunt.
[Modified by KingTut, 1:48 AM 8/3/2002]
Also I think the ole Mike (Yank) is catching on the best ET is not the only measure of whether we like a converter or not and finally giving us some more low rpm grunt.
[Modified by KingTut, 1:48 AM 8/3/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,397
Likes: 55
From: Dove Mountain, AZ
Re: 3.15's vs 3.42's (KingTut)
I am now thinking about just getting the 342's and not the TC. Several
have said that they have enjoyed them with the stock TC. I just want to
have better low end response in traffic. How has running the stock TC and
342's affected your 30 - 50 mph driving in town? I have been using
3rd alot in town to give me more response. Will changing to the 342's from 315's make much diff at these speeds in 4th?
have said that they have enjoyed them with the stock TC. I just want to
have better low end response in traffic. How has running the stock TC and
342's affected your 30 - 50 mph driving in town? I have been using
3rd alot in town to give me more response. Will changing to the 342's from 315's make much diff at these speeds in 4th?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 21
From: Roswell GA
Re: 3.15's vs 3.42's (TXSTICK)
It is only 8.6% different. Yes you can feel that SOTP and it is a nice improvment. It is NOT double or even 25%. When you go from 2.73 to 3.42 now that is 25% and really big.
But I am glad I did it and would do it again in a minute. I also would have liked 3.73's but just too much money and the highway cruising rpm would have been a little too high for me.
But I am glad I did it and would do it again in a minute. I also would have liked 3.73's but just too much money and the highway cruising rpm would have been a little too high for me.