installing .342 or .373 in 2002 A4
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 28
Likes: 4
installing .342 or .373 in 2002 A4
From what I've read .342 is a straight crankcase swap while .373 is not. Would appreciate all feedback. Doing enough mods I don't really need (i know; we're always adding **** we don't really need) extra low-end torque of .373. But, ease of swap is a factor in this upgrade
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 404
From: Portland OR
3.73 requires changing the gearset in the differential. Not a lot of shops have the tools to do this. If not mistaken, you can’t put 3.73 in a 2.73 case.
To do a 3.42 you buy a complete differential from a stick shift car.
3.42 is plenty of gear.
To do a 3.42 you buy a complete differential from a stick shift car.
3.42 is plenty of gear.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 28
Likes: 4
Thx, Ron. You 'da man !!! RPM is obviously a popular vendor. But, there are a lot of vendors with 100% rating on Ebay(which has come a long way) selling remanufactured for about half price.members .Any one have thoughts on remaufactured ?.I know some on here are big fans of used parts from other members.
Thx,JD
Thx,JD
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 659
From: Pingree Grove IL
I went with the best. 3 years ago, had a RPM stage 2, 3.73 put in and Yank 3200 converter. I’m also running a 305 30 19 tire. Gears are short, stock cam, probably a lot shorter then @RonSSNova with 3.42 gear and cam. Just for your information
1st gear tops out at about 35-36 mph
2nd 75-77mph
3rd 125mph
only ever topped out 3rd gear at Road America.
3.73 is a perfect stoplight car, so really, how often do you go above 75mph legally, almost never, IMO 3.73 is perfect. Sucks gas on the highway though, about 22-23mpg, I don’t care, that’s not why we mod cars. Shop only charged 750 to install it, and they had it done within a day, picked up the car the following evening.
1st gear tops out at about 35-36 mph
2nd 75-77mph
3rd 125mph
only ever topped out 3rd gear at Road America.
3.73 is a perfect stoplight car, so really, how often do you go above 75mph legally, almost never, IMO 3.73 is perfect. Sucks gas on the highway though, about 22-23mpg, I don’t care, that’s not why we mod cars. Shop only charged 750 to install it, and they had it done within a day, picked up the car the following evening.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 226
Likes: 150
I went with the best. 3 years ago, had a RPM stage 2, 3.73 put in and Yank 3200 converter. I’m also running a 305 30 19 tire. Gears are short, stock cam, probably a lot shorter then @RonSSNova with 3.42 gear and cam. Just for your information
1st gear tops out at about 35-36 mph
2nd 75-77mph
3rd 125mph
only ever topped out 3rd gear at Road America.
3.73 is a perfect stoplight car, so really, how often do you go above 75mph legally, almost never, IMO 3.73 is perfect. Sucks gas on the highway though, about 22-23mpg, I don’t care, that’s not why we mod cars. Shop only charged 750 to install it, and they had it done within a day, picked up the car the following evening.
1st gear tops out at about 35-36 mph
2nd 75-77mph
3rd 125mph
only ever topped out 3rd gear at Road America.
3.73 is a perfect stoplight car, so really, how often do you go above 75mph legally, almost never, IMO 3.73 is perfect. Sucks gas on the highway though, about 22-23mpg, I don’t care, that’s not why we mod cars. Shop only charged 750 to install it, and they had it done within a day, picked up the car the following evening.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,966
Likes: 714
I went with the best. 3 years ago, had a RPM stage 2, 3.73 put in and Yank 3200 converter. I’m also running a 305 30 19 tire. Gears are short, stock cam, probably a lot shorter then @RonSSNova with 3.42 gear and cam. Just for your information
1st gear tops out at about 35-36 mph
2nd 75-77mph
3rd 125mph
only ever topped out 3rd gear at Road America.
3.73 is a perfect stoplight car, so really, how often do you go above 75mph legally, almost never, IMO 3.73 is perfect. Sucks gas on the highway though, about 22-23mpg, I don’t care, that’s not why we mod cars. Shop only charged 750 to install it, and they had it done within a day, picked up the car the following evening.
1st gear tops out at about 35-36 mph
2nd 75-77mph
3rd 125mph
only ever topped out 3rd gear at Road America.
3.73 is a perfect stoplight car, so really, how often do you go above 75mph legally, almost never, IMO 3.73 is perfect. Sucks gas on the highway though, about 22-23mpg, I don’t care, that’s not why we mod cars. Shop only charged 750 to install it, and they had it done within a day, picked up the car the following evening.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 659
From: Pingree Grove IL
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