I've got a 2000 A4, 2.73 :banghead: I'm doing one or the other fairly soon, but don't have the cash for both. I don't want a TC, so eliminate that. If you had to pick, what would you do? This is a secondary driver and a semi-radical cam (vs. a mild one) isn't out of the question.

Let's hear your opinions-

-Busa196-

 

GEARS and Trans Go.

 

If you have no interest doing a converter, don't even bother with a cam. Go for gears.

 

Quote:
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If you have no interest doing a converter, don't even bother with a cam. Go for gears
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:iagree:

 

Do the gear but think about maybe a 3.90 -4.10 if you plan to keep the RWHP at or below 400. If you someday plan to go to higher levels than do the 3.73 :auto:

 

Gears AND torque converter are by far the best mod you can do on an A4. The first mod on any corvette so unfortunate to be born with a sorry 2.73 is to get some real gears! Keep in mind a hi stall converter will only be around $500-$800 more if you do it at the SAME time (otherwise you'll pay for similar labor again once you realize you need it after the fact). You'll get a very noticeable seat of the pants improvement over stock.

Can't say the same for a cam, because judging by your sig, you've still got stock heads, exhaust manifolds, cats and H-pipe. How much better can just a cam make your stock setup flow? Not worth the effort unless you're doing the other stuff.

 

:iagree: :auto: :auto:

 

Low miles (around 1000 miles) 3.42 rear diff assy.
Not a rebuilt unit.
$650.00 plus shipping.
_______
This is from a post on the for sale section from TxSTICK. I think that with the 3.42 you will be happy and it will give you all around performance not to menchen you will save some money and can get you a stall to go with it.
You can then turn around and sell your old unit and recoupe some of your cash. :seeya


[Modified by big bollas, 4:34 AM 9/20/2003]

 

Thanks for the advice Mike....looks like a everyone agrees with you. I'm just trying to find out why a cam and a TC go hand-in-hand. Why should I not bother with a cam if I'm not going to do a TC?? :confused: Forgive me, I'm green. :thumbs:

The only real reason I didn't want to do a TC is because of streetability. I don't drive my car everyday, but if I do get stuck in heavy traffic, or decide to start driving it to work and back, I don't want to have to worry about heat issues.....guess that's what a trans cooler is for.

 

Thank Bollas- yeah, maybe I could sell my 2.73's and get enough for them to cover shipping. :lol: ...or use them as a boat anchor

 

xtreme will give you $250.00 for your 2.73's




[Modified by TXSTICK, 9:51 AM 9/20/2003]

 

:iagree:

With most decent sized cams you really need a good T/C and gears to get the most performance out of it. Not mention driveability concerns.





[Modified by Mitch C, 11:53 AM 9/20/2003]

 

Really? Damn, that's good news. Thanks! :thumbs:

 

Going into the motor should not be your first mod. Do a larger gear and converter and keep your engine unmolested.

Mark

 

I would go w/ a cam just because the performance gain and the sound you get from a cam change. I went with a rather large cam just for the sound. Kaley

 

Lurker

 

Gear 4 sure!! If ya want sound....get a sub woofer. :lolg: :lolg:

 

:iagree:

 

You asked the question, why cam and converters go hand and hand. I don’t think any one has answered your question. When you use install a larger cam the engine’s power band will change. For example: the new cam might be rated from 2500rpm to 6500rpm vs the stock which (this is only a guess) would be idle to 5800rpm. Now to optimize the potential of the new cam shaft with an automatic transmission your torque converter should be matched with the cam shaft’s power band (as in the example above: your converter should have a stall speed of 2500rpm). The larger you cam shaft is and the narrower the power band is the more evident this becomes. I can give one more example: I had a large cam shaft in my camaro, it was 588lift and 275 & 283 at .050. It was advertised to operate at 4500 to 7300 rpm. With a 2500 stall converter this thing was a dog. It would make very little horsepower from idle to 4500 rpm, at this point the car would be moving but not efficiently. I had a converter made for the car that had a 4200 rpm stall and it was a whole new car. It that point, as soon is you nailed the gas the engine would rev to 4200 rpm and instantly and start moving or should I say launching. I hope this helps explain why cams and converters go hand and hand.

 

Going from 2.73 to 3.73 will make a noticeable difference. While you're in there, you should go with a TC too. Will feel like a "virtual 75rwhp" increase :reddevil