3.90 gears on an A4
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
St. Jude Donor '08
3.90 gears on an A4
:auto: Going to Breathless tomorrow to install 3.90s or 3.42s -- I am considering 3.42s since it is my daily driver. I also have a transgo shift kit to install at East Coast afterwards. With this setup, which is the best torque converter and are 3.42s the better gear ratio? Thx in advance all.
--Pete--
--Pete--
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Re: 3.90 gears on an A4 (Noran Raad)
IMHO 3.90s are too much for an A4 especially with a stock engine. I would not go any bigger than 3.73s on an A4. I have had 3.15s 3.42s and now 3.73s and I believe 3.42s are the best all around gear for an A4. They will give you great acceleration and great highway manners(not too much RPM when cruising on the highway). If you decide on 3.42s the Yank 3000 or the SY3500 are great choices if you are going to use street tires. If you will be using DRs the Yank ST3500 or the SS3600 are great choices. The Vig. 2800 or the Vig 3200 are also very good.
Before you spend $300.00 buying an installing a shift kit check out the Yank Converters web site under F.A.Q.s. Yank does not recommend shift kits with their converters. Have Breathless reprogram your computer with LS1 Edit for shift points and shift firmness. You will have to reprogram your computer anyway for the gear change so you will save $300.00. You can then spend that $300.00 on something else if you choose.
98 A4
Donaldson Blackwing
Cartek Stage 2 Heads
Cartek M Cam
LS6 intake
TPIS Headers
Underdrive Pulley
Borla Exhaust
Comp Push Rods
Rev 1116 Valve Springs
172 t.stat
ST3500
3.73 Gears
B&M Trans Cooler
[Modified by Mitch C, 7:33 AM 1/13/2003]
Before you spend $300.00 buying an installing a shift kit check out the Yank Converters web site under F.A.Q.s. Yank does not recommend shift kits with their converters. Have Breathless reprogram your computer with LS1 Edit for shift points and shift firmness. You will have to reprogram your computer anyway for the gear change so you will save $300.00. You can then spend that $300.00 on something else if you choose.
98 A4
Donaldson Blackwing
Cartek Stage 2 Heads
Cartek M Cam
LS6 intake
TPIS Headers
Underdrive Pulley
Borla Exhaust
Comp Push Rods
Rev 1116 Valve Springs
172 t.stat
ST3500
3.73 Gears
B&M Trans Cooler
[Modified by Mitch C, 7:33 AM 1/13/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,786
Likes: 6
From: Lafayette Colorado
Re: 3.90 gears on an A4 (Noran Raad)
Got 3.90:1 in my A4 with 4200 stall converter and could not be happier. The setup is a little less 'streetable' as to when I had the 3.90s with a 3200 stall converter, but then again I do not know better :D The current combo is kinda like a light switch; totally off or totally on :eek:
Keith
Keith
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,154
Likes: 1
From: Murphy TX
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: 3.90 gears on an A4 (Noran Raad)
What all do you want to do with your car? Can't pick the right converter w/o deciding that first. 3.90 is a lot of gear. That could be a good thing or a bad thing. ;)
FWIW I really like the 3.73+SY3500 in my daily driver that sees plenty of highway time and the sadly :( infrequent (maybe once or twice a month in season) trip to the drag strip. Not satisfied with it at the strip though. :cry Would probably be happier on appropriate tire. :rolleyes:
FWIW I really like the 3.73+SY3500 in my daily driver that sees plenty of highway time and the sadly :( infrequent (maybe once or twice a month in season) trip to the drag strip. Not satisfied with it at the strip though. :cry Would probably be happier on appropriate tire. :rolleyes:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: 3.90 gears on an A4 (ToplessTexan)
Thxs for your advice guys. I actually got the 3.42s and am taking mitch's advice & saving the cheese to do something else. (I actually put a Zo6 intake in with the extra money.) I am currently researching torque converters and am probably going with kromberg's recomendations. :thumbs:
Ultimately, I will probably install the shift kit w/a deep pan -- too many people have them for it to be that wrong. It is going to be sweet experiencing each mod separately. :hurray: :hurray: As for future plans; The car is going to be primarily my daily driver but I want it to be track worthy. Thx again..
Ultimately, I will probably install the shift kit w/a deep pan -- too many people have them for it to be that wrong. It is going to be sweet experiencing each mod separately. :hurray: :hurray: As for future plans; The car is going to be primarily my daily driver but I want it to be track worthy. Thx again..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,294
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs Florida
Re: 3.90 gears on an A4 (Noran Raad)
Before you do ANYTHING..you should take a drive in my car! I have the PT2800 and 3.42's AND a Transgo shift kit!...You won't be sorry:D
I'll be having the YANK SS3800 installed tomorrow at East Coast ..shoot me an e-mail and I will be more specific..:D
I'll be having the YANK SS3800 installed tomorrow at East Coast ..shoot me an e-mail and I will be more specific..:D
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Laurel NJ NJ
Re: 3.90 gears on an A4 (vstella)
If your taking the turnpike make sure you have your radar detector on around exit 4 ;) ECS is really earning a good rep, and is closer to me, so when I get my gears and converter they're my first choice :D
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: 3.90 gears on an A4 (vstella)
Hey Vince,
Looks like I'll be running your old set up -- quite literally -- since we'll be transplanting your tc. BTW did steve make the appropriate adjustments to your programming?
--Pete--
Looks like I'll be running your old set up -- quite literally -- since we'll be transplanting your tc. BTW did steve make the appropriate adjustments to your programming?
--Pete--
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
