342 GEAR CHANGE??
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 139
From: Las Vegas NV
342 GEAR CHANGE??
can anyone tell what kind of street driveabilty I will loose going from a 273 to a 342 gear. Such as highway RPM's, gas millage, long highway drives,trips ect...what kind of proformance gains pros and cons. Thanks for any advice :thumbs:
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 5
From: Mount Vernon Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (razor2430)
RPMs at 70 mph should be around 2250, my mileage dropped to around 25 mpg and we have taken ours from Little Rock, AR to Las Vegas, NV without any problems, well except for the fact the wife spun sideways just past the Hoover Dam while passing a Caddy holding up traffic to take pics and she got stopped in Boulder City for exhibition of speed after taking off from a red light (she really wasn't speeding just taking off from a red light), thankfully no ticket. A definite improvement over the 2.73 rearend. Get a good torque converter to compliment the rearend. It makes for an awesome ride. :auto:
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 570
Likes: 1
From: Las Colinas, Texas
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (razor2430)
My friends with auto's tell me a torque converter (around 3000 stall) change gives more SOTP feel and quicker quarter mile times than just doing 3.42 gears alone. However, the two mods really compliment each other for even more performance improvement. Don't forget to tune for all the upgrades. If mileage is a factor then do not change anything. Good Luck
:yesnod: :yesnod:
:yesnod: :yesnod:
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 0
From: Howell MI.
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (razor2430)
It seems like it goes in cycles, but ,the sy3500 3.42 and trans-go are the drivetrain parts of choice .
Mine has been just great and I am glad to be a forum member to learn and research it before buying the setup.
I will drive my car from Michigan to see forum members that helped me get it together in the south like north Carolinia without a hitch.
Go for it !
John
Mine has been just great and I am glad to be a forum member to learn and research it before buying the setup.
I will drive my car from Michigan to see forum members that helped me get it together in the south like north Carolinia without a hitch.
Go for it !
John
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 179
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (blktie8)
If mileage is a factor then do not change anything.
But if you must know... a 2.73 to 3.42 change may net a 2 mpg loss on the highway.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: Elkridge, Maryland
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (Mike Mercury)
If mileage is a factor then do not change anything.
agreed.
But if you must know... a 2.73 to 3.42 change may net a 2 mpg loss on the highway.
agreed.
But if you must know... a 2.73 to 3.42 change may net a 2 mpg loss on the highway.
I did the SY3500, and 3.42's...you won't be disappointed. As others have said before if I were to do it again I think I would probably go alittle more aggressive, like 3.73's. But, I am very pleased with this combo...(for now :jester ).
:cheers:
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Advanced
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Front Royal Va.
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (razor2430)
Of course it's just an opinion, but unless you are doing a lot of highway miles, I would expect the milage to increase a little. Surely it takes more pedal to move a car with 2.73 gear's than 3.42's. I think the 3.42's would give the same action as if you had a good bit more torque thereby using less fuel to get the car moving. My H/C car with 3.90's (6 speed) always exceeds 30 mpg on the open highway.
Gary
Gary
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 21
From: Roswell GA
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (wkasak_98Coupe)
I think I would probably go alittle more aggressive, like 3.73's. But, I am very pleased with this combo...(for now )
After I got the 3.42's I thought the 3.15's were a dog as I could hardly get rubber. I can not imagine how bad 2.73's must be. Not what I bought a Vette for.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,901
Likes: 18
From: Elko, Nevada
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (razor2430)
That's what makes the C5 such a great car...the driveability AFTER mods.
I ditched the 2.73's for 3.42's/SY3500/TransGo and there are small to
minor differences in every day "normal" driving. WOT though is a totally
different story.
I lost maybe 5-mpg on the highway at speeds over 70mph. Now a TC car
will drive a bit more different than just a gear change, and adding the
TransGo shift-kit again alters the car even more, especially at SOTP.
:cheers:
I ditched the 2.73's for 3.42's/SY3500/TransGo and there are small to
minor differences in every day "normal" driving. WOT though is a totally
different story.
I lost maybe 5-mpg on the highway at speeds over 70mph. Now a TC car
will drive a bit more different than just a gear change, and adding the
TransGo shift-kit again alters the car even more, especially at SOTP.
:cheers:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 139
From: Las Vegas NV
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (Purerock105)
So if I did just the gear change and the shift kit for now without the stall I should a good proformance increase over the 315's? :cheers: :chevy
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: Elkridge, Maryland
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (razor2430)
So if I did just the gear change and the shift kit for now without the stall I should a good proformance increase over the 315's? :cheers: :chevy
:cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (razor2430)
So if I did just the gear change and the shift kit for now without the stall I should a good proformance increase over the 315's? :cheers: :chevy
The 3.42 will make a huge difference over the 2.73. And I wouldn't worry about the shift kit because your PCM will have to be programmed for the new gears and you can take care of it there.
Bob
:flag
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 179
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (Korreck)
I have had 3.15, 3.42, now 3.73. If you drive more than 50% highway stay with 3.42, if like me it is more like 25% highway rest city, those 3.73 are a grin around town - about 2500 rpm at 75.
Too many like to throw out "guesses" or "common-sense arrived facts" (especially the F-body crowd). Why listen to them, when you can get the info straight from someone who has actually done it? :yesnod:
This crap about 2.73's and a high stall TC does not apply to C5's trying to lower their 1/4 mile ET in the best way.
Of course anyone that has their drivers license is automatically an expert on all car models :lol:
.
[Modified by Mike Mercury, 1:08 PM 8/6/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (Mike Mercury)
This is why I really like Tim. He always gives his opinion, has always been right that I know of and gives of himself to help others as can be seen on his home page. Great asset!
Bob
:flag
Bob
:flag
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 139
From: Las Vegas NV
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (Mike Mercury)
Thanks for all the info! This will deffintly help me make a informed choice on the gear mod. Thanks to everyone who posted on this topic :thumbs: :cheers: :chevy
[Modified by razor2430, 11:01 AM 8/6/2003]
[Modified by razor2430, 11:01 AM 8/6/2003]
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Chesapeak
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (Korreck)
[QUOTE]
It depends on what you want to do with the car. A torque convertor is a waste of money in my opinion if you're just concerned with improved driveability. Drag racing it would be an excellent improvment. Highway driving or cruising it will make no difference.
The 3.42 will make a huge difference over the 2.73. And I wouldn't worry about the shift kit because your PCM will have to be programmed for the new gears and you can take care of it there.
Bob
:iagree:
No need for a shift kit since will have to get your PCM regrogramed anyway.
It depends on what you want to do with the car. A torque convertor is a waste of money in my opinion if you're just concerned with improved driveability. Drag racing it would be an excellent improvment. Highway driving or cruising it will make no difference.
The 3.42 will make a huge difference over the 2.73. And I wouldn't worry about the shift kit because your PCM will have to be programmed for the new gears and you can take care of it there.
Bob
:iagree:
No need for a shift kit since will have to get your PCM regrogramed anyway.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 50
From: Dove Mountain, AZ
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (MC98)
I put in the 3.73's with the stock TC and I love it. I did have to dump the runcraps. They had 20,000 miles on them anyway. I bought a set of Nitto 555's and the ride is 10X better and no more traction problems. :thumbs:
I had 3.15's and use to get about 26.5 MPG on the HWY now get around 24.
In town looks like I went from 21.6 to 18.7 but I have had a very heavy foot. :jester The car is very fun to drive and the pedal response is super! :D
With runcraps the car would try to go sideways with a first to second shift. :D
If I were to go to the strip I would put in a TC also, but your gas milage in town will suffer more. I have been watching and those who say that gears only does not make much of a diff must not of tried it. Most have put both in at the same time and really should drive a gears only car before putting them down.
I had 3.15's and use to get about 26.5 MPG on the HWY now get around 24.
In town looks like I went from 21.6 to 18.7 but I have had a very heavy foot. :jester The car is very fun to drive and the pedal response is super! :D
With runcraps the car would try to go sideways with a first to second shift. :D
If I were to go to the strip I would put in a TC also, but your gas milage in town will suffer more. I have been watching and those who say that gears only does not make much of a diff must not of tried it. Most have put both in at the same time and really should drive a gears only car before putting them down.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 50
From: Dove Mountain, AZ
Re: 342 GEAR CHANGE?? (TXSTICK)
P.S. Sounds like the 3.42 and stock TC or for a little more off the line the PT2400 would be the right choice for you.
[Modified by TXSTICK, 1:18 PM 8/6/2003]
[Modified by TXSTICK, 1:18 PM 8/6/2003]