Change just gears, or whole assembly?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 620
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From: Renton WA
Change just gears, or whole assembly?
When you do a gear swap, are you changing just the ring and pinion or do our
cars have an entire "third member" sort of arrangement that can be swapped out?
I've got a '99 hard top, with six speed (of course) and am thinking of dropping down
to 3.73's or 4.11's. I know a lot of guys with automatics would like to go to 3.42's,
so the wheels are turning... I'm thinking that if I can take out the entire third member
and throw in a new one, I could probably recoupe some of my costs by selling my
stock 3.42 assembly to someone wanting to upgrade their auto equipped car.
What do you think? Am I off base? Is this cost effective? Am I better off to do just
ring and pinion???
cars have an entire "third member" sort of arrangement that can be swapped out?
I've got a '99 hard top, with six speed (of course) and am thinking of dropping down
to 3.73's or 4.11's. I know a lot of guys with automatics would like to go to 3.42's,
so the wheels are turning... I'm thinking that if I can take out the entire third member
and throw in a new one, I could probably recoupe some of my costs by selling my
stock 3.42 assembly to someone wanting to upgrade their auto equipped car.
What do you think? Am I off base? Is this cost effective? Am I better off to do just
ring and pinion???
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Change just gears, or whole assembly? ('99Vetteguy)
with the cost of the gears, shim pack, new seals, and special tools and expertise needed for the unique C5 carrier; you would IMO be ahead if you purchased an entire carrier and sell your OEM 3.42
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 620
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From: Renton WA
Re: Change just gears, or whole assembly? (Mike Mercury)
Thanks for the info Mike. That'll be my plan then when I'm ready to upgrade. I'm sure I can find a vendor for the parts here and sell my old 3.42 carrier to someone with an automatic that wants lower gears.
Platinum Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,730
Likes: 270
From: VENTURA Ca
Re: Change just gears, or whole assembly? ('99Vetteguy)
The problem is that when you buy a 4.10 or other diff from a vendor, be it me or someone else, we need a core in exchange. The core charge is just about what you could sell yours for. When you're ready to upgrade , give me a call. I can get you any ratio at a great price.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 620
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From: Renton WA
Re: Change just gears, or whole assembly? (Andy@AandACorvette)
Thanks for the heads up Andy! I didn't think about a core charge...
BTW, I'm finally going to get around to putting the frame savers
and rocker protectors that I bought from you on tomorrow. We're
having a "Mod Day", and I'm running the grill, so I'm going to
bring quick and easy stuff to do to my car.
So, what do you think? 3.73's or 4.10's? I'm kind of leaning toward 4.10's.
First gear could be a lot lower than what it is now and I might get to
use sixth gear once in a while with 4.10's...
It may be relevant to note that my car is pretty much stock. I've got
a Blackwing filter and Corsa Indys for 'performance upgrades', as well
as a Ripper shifter. Also, my car is a daily driver, so I don't want to go
so extreme that it becomes a PITA to drive every day.
[Modified by '99Vetteguy, 8:23 PM 9/28/2002]
BTW, I'm finally going to get around to putting the frame savers
and rocker protectors that I bought from you on tomorrow. We're
having a "Mod Day", and I'm running the grill, so I'm going to
bring quick and easy stuff to do to my car.
So, what do you think? 3.73's or 4.10's? I'm kind of leaning toward 4.10's.
First gear could be a lot lower than what it is now and I might get to
use sixth gear once in a while with 4.10's...
It may be relevant to note that my car is pretty much stock. I've got
a Blackwing filter and Corsa Indys for 'performance upgrades', as well
as a Ripper shifter. Also, my car is a daily driver, so I don't want to go
so extreme that it becomes a PITA to drive every day.
[Modified by '99Vetteguy, 8:23 PM 9/28/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,290
Likes: 1
From: Ca
Re: Change just gears, or whole assembly? ('99Vetteguy)
From what I hear, 3.73's is the biggest you want to go in your 3.42 casing. 3.90's and 4.10's are more prone to breaking. 4.10 maybe too low if you start running some serious power through them. I'm saving up to get some 3.73's from Andy.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 620
Likes: 0
From: Renton WA
Re: Change just gears, or whole assembly? (RCswish)
From what I hear, 3.73's is the biggest you want to go in your 3.42 casing. 3.90's and 4.10's are more prone to breaking. 4.10 maybe too low if you start running some serious power through them. I'm saving up to get some 3.73's from Andy.
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