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3.42 or 3.73?

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Old Dec 24, 2003 | 12:39 PM
  #21  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (SoulDr)

Pick up a used rear diff and have it rebuilt w/ 3.73 (or better) gears. :cheers:
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Old Dec 24, 2003 | 01:14 PM
  #22  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (SoulDr)

3.73, at least that's what I went with.
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Old Dec 24, 2003 | 01:18 PM
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (bhvette97)

I have a 98 A4 and I will be doing 3.73's in the spring also, go with 3.73's for sure! :cheers:
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Old Dec 24, 2003 | 01:21 PM
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (SoulDr)

3.73's for sure, 3.42's= :yawn:
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Old Dec 24, 2003 | 02:24 PM
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (SoulDr)

SoulDr,

I've replied in the other post. Definately 3.73's. On the highway, expect the rpm's to run about 350 higher than they are now. Gas mileage for me is averaging about 20-21 mpg, depending on how much "fun" I have on the way. As Mitch said, the biggest difference is on a roll. I can't stomp it from a stop without burning the tires off it. :smash:
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Old Dec 24, 2003 | 02:29 PM
  #26  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (SoulDr)

For the guys with the 3.73's, what kind of RPMs are you turning at 85 mph? This is a very informative post, as I'm doing this in the spring, and already bought my 3.42's, but could resell them and get 3.73's. I do quite a bit of highway driving, and don't want the car to be screaming down the highway. Thanks


[Modified by LuvmyC5, 10:19 AM 12/25/2003]
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Old Dec 24, 2003 | 09:42 PM
  #27  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (LuvmyC5)

Would you all still select 3.73's if you had a blower? I've been hearing for an s/c car you really need to keep it down to 3.42's.... Any suggestions? :lurk:
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Old Dec 25, 2003 | 03:18 AM
  #28  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (indypace78)

Just went from 3:15's to 3:42's..

NO discernible difference at all...

Am I happy with the 3:42?

Well.... if 3:42's were supposed to "wake up" my car, then all I have to say is its still :sleep: .

Maybe 3:73's will be the alarm clock.....

My advice.... would be do the 3:73's, because going from 3:15's to 3;42's, i doubt you'll feel anything at all.. I know I sure didn't... :cry
indypace78.... I feel your pain. You've just read my mind... :banghead:

I plan on getting the retrofit Magnuson intercooler and blower cam from LPE in the spring. I'm hoping with the HP I'll be pushing after those mods that I'll be glad I didn't install 3:73's for the sake of traction, but as far as right now -- I'm regretting it. Not much difference over the 3:15's at all in my opinion. I installed a Yank SY3500 at the same time the 3:42's went in and obviously there is a difference out of the hole, but nothing noticable on a roll...





[Modified by SilverC5inOhio, 3:54 AM 12/25/2003]
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Old Dec 25, 2003 | 10:19 AM
  #29  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (SoulDr)

Did you guys do converters too? If so, did ithe 3.42's help keep the converter from feeling too loose? Also, do the 3.73 gears rev out a lot on the highway? Thanks and Happy Holidays!!!
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Old Dec 25, 2003 | 06:19 PM
  #30  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (LuvmyC5)

How fast do you drive on the parkway? If you cruise at 80+, stay with 3.42's. Anything under that, go for 3.73's. :cheers:
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Old Dec 25, 2003 | 07:21 PM
  #31  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (Face)

2000 A4-SY3500--Transgo shift kit--4.10-Heads and cam car Lt headers
68mph rpm 3.42-2100---4.10-2500
75 mph rpm 3.42-2300---4.10-2700
I started with 2.73 --jumped up to 3.42 great choice--then switched up to 4.10 breath taking experience.
gotta love the sound now of the Corsa Indys ---need ear plugs at 80 mph
Hope this helps
I :cheers: :D :D :seeya
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Old Dec 26, 2003 | 12:34 AM
  #32  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (WHY2KRAG)

i went from 2.73's to 3.42's and like it. if i could do it over i would go 3.73's or even 3.90's i spend a lot of time on the track. do it right the first time. :thumbs:
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Old Dec 26, 2003 | 01:09 AM
  #33  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (MC TORCH RED)

i went from 2.73's to 3.42's and like it. if i could do it over i would go 3.73's or even 3.90's i spend a lot of time on the track. do it right the first time. :thumbs:
:iagree:
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Old Dec 26, 2003 | 11:29 AM
  #34  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (SoulDr)

I have 3.42s now an am wanting to go up to the 3.73 now also. Should have doen it the first time around but oh well.
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Old Dec 26, 2003 | 11:48 AM
  #35  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (SoulDr)

Will let ya know in January! I have 3.73's & Yank SS 3600 waiting on the floor.
:D :D :D :D :D LS1 edit too. :yesnod:
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Old Dec 26, 2003 | 10:02 PM
  #36  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (LuvmyC5)

For the guys with the 3.73's, what kind of RPMs are you turning at 85 mph? This is a very informative post, as I'm doing this in the spring, and already bought my 3.42's, but could resell them and get 3.73's. I do quite a bit of highway driving, and don't want the car to be screaming down the highway.
Just got back from driving to San Antonio and then back to the DFW area. I have 3:73's with a Vig 3200 TC. At 80mph I was at about 2850 rpm...at 75mph I was at 2600 rpm...at 70mph, I was at 2300 rpm...at 65mph, about 2000 rpm. I found myself choosing to drive steady at 70mph, as I don't feel comfortable keeping the engine rpm above 2500 for hours at a time.
If I spent the majority of my road time on the highway between cities, I would probably go with the 3:42's...but I don't...I spend the majority of my road time cruisin' the highways and bi-ways of the DFW area...pretty much staying local for the most part, so I would never change my 3:73's for anything else, with the possible exception of 3:90's. I am cool with road trips, since I remain at 70mph for long trips or 75mph for short trips. There is a performance difference with the 3:73's that I'm not willing to give up. Remember, you have to give something, to get something in this deal. Just my two cents. Good luck on your decision!! :chevy
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Old Dec 26, 2003 | 11:05 PM
  #37  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (NIGHTMARE...2001)

Thanks! :cheers:
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Old Dec 27, 2003 | 04:44 PM
  #38  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (LuvmyC5)

3.90's is what i would do. i had 2.73's first now 3.42's next is 3.90's this spring. :yesnod:
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Old Dec 27, 2003 | 05:50 PM
  #39  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (SoulDr)

Would you all still select 3.73's if you had a blower? I've been hearing for an s/c car you really need to keep it down to 3.42's.... Any suggestions? :lurk:
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Old Dec 27, 2003 | 05:58 PM
  #40  
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Default Re: 3.42 or 3.73? (dads01dream)

Would you all still select 3.73's if you had a blower? I've been hearing for an s/c car you really need to keep it down to 3.42's.... Any suggestions? :lurk:
It depends on the supercharger, with the Magnuson where you have full boost as soon as you step on the gas 3.73 may be a little to steep but with your ATI where the brunt of your power comes on a little later in the curve 3.73's may be much better.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but thats just my opinion :cheers:
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