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3.73's - What is Required?

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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 06:15 AM
  #1  
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Default 3.73's - What is Required?

I was told that swapping from 3.42's to a 3.73 gear wasnt as simple as just exchanging gears in a Vette.

What all is involved? Do I need to buy a whole new differential? How does this work?

Can someone give me a heads up and point me to some place to look to purchase?

Thanks.
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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 08:11 AM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (Hannibal)

the gears are not available alone, so you have to buy a complete assembly. From there, it is a total bolt-in.

Dave
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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 08:13 AM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (davidfarmer)

Total assembly? Where can I find it and how much for it?
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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 10:17 AM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (Hannibal)

I have to disagree I bought a new 3.73 ring and pinion and had it installed in a 3.15 carrier that I had. Contact forum member "Crashed 94" he may still have 3.73 ring and pinion sets he also will install them for you. He installed forum member "King Tuts" ring and pinion and he is very happy with it.

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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 10:54 AM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (Hannibal)

You can buy gears and have them installed in your 3.15, 3.42 housings.

vetterdstr :cheers:
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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 10:54 AM
  #6  
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (davidfarmer)

the gears are not available alone, so you have to buy a complete assembly. From there, it is a total bolt-in.

Dave
actually there are several vendors out there now that can drop the 3.73 ring and pinion into a 3.15 or 3.42 carrier and you're on your way :D

Motive Gears I believe is selling the ring and pinion, then all you need is a competent installer :)
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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 11:00 AM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (Mean Green 2000)

There was a post from a guy on ebay selling trans and gears. Do a search on MN6 or 6 speed.
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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 01:38 PM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (9tee9c5)

What skill level is required to drop out the stock assembly, open it up, replace the gears, and reinstall?
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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 02:40 PM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (Scissors)

I believe it takes special tools which may not be something a lot of installers will have readily available.

You may wish to think about having the shafts replaced with the hardened ones once you have it opened up.
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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 04:31 PM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (chucschramm)

Just food for thought I was just reading an article from a past issue of Corvette fever. Quote, "Even having your gears changed AT a Chevy dealer will void your warranty on the engine, transmission and transaxle". It goes on to say because of GM's current computer program on warranty tracking information (tracked by VIN), it can not break down the power train alone, so the entire car will show in their records to be out of warranty. Goes on to say according to the GM service manager even if a speaker would go out, he would have to call their rep to get approval under warranty. If you were to take it to another dealer, other than where you bought the vehicle, they wouldn't be able to do any warranty work at all. So in essence a GM stock (new gears) put on by a GM dealer, will void your warranty. This is something anyone still under warranty should investigate before modding. Practices may have changed recently. I'm just quoting the article. If anyone needs to see it to believe it, I can scan it and send it your way. Again, just food for thought. :cheers:
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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 04:41 PM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (MC98)

crashed94 is also doing mine. great guy :thumbs:
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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 07:13 PM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (bizaro1234)

We have had a winter gear swap special going on for $1,150 we will rebuild your carrier with any ratio you want. :seeya :seeya
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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 07:20 PM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (Hannibal)

You might be better served to "trade" your differential with Andy of A&A www.aandacorvette.com . You will get a credit for your core....and

He has upgraded 3.73's already to ship..keep it simple!:D


[Modified by vstella, 7:22 PM 2/11/2003]
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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 07:53 PM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (bizaro1234)

Just food for thought I was just reading an article from a past issue of Corvette fever. Quote, "Even having your gears changed AT a Chevy dealer will void your warranty on the engine, transmission and transaxle". It goes on to say because of GM's current computer program on warranty tracking information (tracked by VIN), it can not break down the power train alone, so the entire car will show in their records to be out of warranty. Goes on to say according to the GM service manager even if a speaker would go out, he would have to call their rep to get approval under warranty. If you were to take it to another dealer, other than where you bought the vehicle, they wouldn't be able to do any warranty work at all. So in essence a GM stock (new gears) put on by a GM dealer, will void your warranty. This is something anyone still under warranty should investigate before modding. Practices may have changed recently. I'm just quoting the article. If anyone needs to see it to believe it, I can scan it and send it your way. Again, just food for thought. :cheers:
So GM's computer system enables them to violate the law?

If there's any truth to this, it would be very good reason not to have a dealer install them. Put the gears on elsewhere, bring it in under warranty (for something non-related), unless a very qualified mechanic drives it for a while, they will likely never know.


:cheers:
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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 10:00 PM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (Y2Kvert4me)

If there's any truth to this, it would be very good reason not to have a dealer install them. Put the gears on elsewhere, bring it in under warranty (for something non-related), unless a very qualified mechanic drives it for a while, they will likely never know.
My service writer knew something was up just pulling it around to the service bay. He likes it. ;)

3.73s (or 3.90s or 4.10s) are no easier or harder than any other gear swap (assuming a complete differential assembly), may be a little more expensive than OE diffs.
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Old Feb 12, 2003 | 06:18 AM
  #16  
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (ToplessTexan)

But cant you just buy a new ring/pinion set and have it installed? Just pull out the 3.42's and install and setup the new 3.73's? The new gears should still fit into the carrier.

Am I mistaken? I am not interested in spending $1000+ for a new set of gears that will cost less then $500 installed if you just buy the gears/install kit/labor to install.
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Old Feb 12, 2003 | 09:46 AM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (Hannibal)

Am I mistaken? I am not interested in spending $1000+ for a new set of gears that will cost less then $500 installed if you just buy the gears/install kit/labor to install.
Our installed price of $1,150 includes new ring and pinion and complete installation. :seeya
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Old Feb 13, 2003 | 12:27 AM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (CHRIS NJ C5)

NJ is too far to :auto: :nopity
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Old Feb 13, 2003 | 09:36 AM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (low flyier)

That is one of many reasons not to go to NJ. :jester

One plan I haven't yet committed to calls for a 4.10 rear. If I do go that route, I'll very likely send my old 3.15 rear to Chris for ECS to rebuild and swap gears and then install them locally. My reservation about the lower gear options has to do primarily with the proper assembly of the unit so I'm more than happy to send the work out to someone I have confidence in.
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Old Feb 13, 2003 | 12:00 PM
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Default Re: 3.73's - What is Required? (ToplessTexan)

removal and reinstallation instructions for the rear carrier assembly can be found here:

mikemercury.home.att.net/342.htm
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