3.15 gear - Is it worth it?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,246
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From: West Coast
3.15 gear - Is it worth it?
For $400 you can get the 3.15 ratio option for the A4. What are the advantages and drawbacks for the higher (numerical) gear? Does it actually increase 1/4 miles time?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Elmhurst, IL (West Suburb of Chicago) & Home of MEGA Horsepower
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: 3.15 gear - Is it worth it? (pettrix)
If your buying a new C5 auto tranny it is definitely worth it as the other non-perf gear is a 2.73 and this makes the car accelerate like a complete DOG off the line from 0 to 100mph. The 3.15 will give you that little bit of extra acceleration and VERY MUCH WORTH it and probably makes your o to 60 mph drop a tenth or two as well as your 1/4 mile time.The only way it would not be worth is was if your were planning to upgrade in the near future to an aftermarket gear such as a 3.73 gear, like many including myself here run and then i guess i would make sense to get the dog gear and save a couple of hundred realizing that you will be taking out that gear in the near future to put a REAL GEAR in.
If this is not your plan then the 3.15 perforance axle purchase is A NO BRAINER!!! WELCOME to the FORUM and the C5 WORLD:cheers: No disadvantages i can think of with the perf. axle other than maybe a SLIGHT DIFFERENCE in gas mileage but if that is an issue with you you probably should buy a FORD FOCUS instead!:yesnod: :lol:
[Modified by MTI 427 Roadster, 3:39 AM 2/6/2004]
If this is not your plan then the 3.15 perforance axle purchase is A NO BRAINER!!! WELCOME to the FORUM and the C5 WORLD:cheers: No disadvantages i can think of with the perf. axle other than maybe a SLIGHT DIFFERENCE in gas mileage but if that is an issue with you you probably should buy a FORD FOCUS instead!:yesnod: :lol:
[Modified by MTI 427 Roadster, 3:39 AM 2/6/2004]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 0
Re: 3.15 gear - Is it worth it? (pettrix)
FWIW, I've got 2.73's and with a Predator tuner I don't mind them at all. Of course having not driven a 3.15 geared car to compare..... I guess ignorance is bliss in my case. :lol:
I think you're probably better off saving the money. If this is your first C5, it'll feel PLENTY fast off the showroom floor. And then once you get the "modification" bug, pony up for a set of 3.42's or go crazy with 3.73's.
Enjoy the ride and let us know which way you go. :cheers:
I think you're probably better off saving the money. If this is your first C5, it'll feel PLENTY fast off the showroom floor. And then once you get the "modification" bug, pony up for a set of 3.42's or go crazy with 3.73's.
Enjoy the ride and let us know which way you go. :cheers:
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: 3.15 gear - Is it worth it? (CHRIS NJ C5)
I think you're probably better off saving the money.
It's a no brainer; 3.15 from the factory :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Re: 3.15 gear - Is it worth it? (pettrix)
What is the highway cruising RPMs of the 3.15's vs. 3.73's?
3.15 = 1950 RPM @ 70 mph
3.42 = 2150 RPM @ 70 MPH
3.73 = 2350 RPM @ 70 MPH
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 0
Re: 3.15 gear - Is it worth it? (Mitch C)
Hey Mitch,
So with those 3.73's that mph @ 70 is probably like driving my 2.73's on the highway in 3rd gear? I'll have to try that, seems kinda high for stead-state cruising @ 2350 rpms.
I think with my Corsa Indys & D1-SC that car may be too loud on the highway for my liking. :(
Looks like maybe 3.42's for me with a 3000ish T/C. :thumbs:
So with those 3.73's that mph @ 70 is probably like driving my 2.73's on the highway in 3rd gear? I'll have to try that, seems kinda high for stead-state cruising @ 2350 rpms.
I think with my Corsa Indys & D1-SC that car may be too loud on the highway for my liking. :(
Looks like maybe 3.42's for me with a 3000ish T/C. :thumbs:
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Re: 3.15 gear - Is it worth it? (pettrix)
It depends. if you are like me and won't heavily mod the car, it is worth every penny spent. I would not buy an auto Vette without it. GM has also figured this out since the perf. axle was only $55 in 1996 and went to $100 in 1997 and from theron to now $400. All margin for GM and no less sales. Actually, I would prefer the perf. axle to have the same 3.41 ratio of the manual tranny.
If you plan to mod heavily, I would not spend the money, since you are going to rip the tranny/rear end out anyway for steeper gears and a converter.
[Modified by Alex D, 2:32 PM 2/6/2004]
If you plan to mod heavily, I would not spend the money, since you are going to rip the tranny/rear end out anyway for steeper gears and a converter.
For $400 you can get the 3.15 ratio option for the A4. What are the advantages and drawbacks for the higher (numerical) gear? Does it actually increase 1/4 miles time?
[Modified by Alex D, 2:32 PM 2/6/2004]
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Re: 3.15 gear - Is it worth it? (dads01dream)
The difference is best explained this way:
3.15s = Race horse that just won the Kentucky Derby
2.73s = Three-legged elephant with severe toe infection
3.15s = Race horse that just won the Kentucky Derby
2.73s = Three-legged elephant with severe toe infection
FWIW, I've got 2.73's and with a Predator tuner I don't mind them at all. Of course having not driven a 3.15 geared car to compare..... I guess ignorance is bliss in my case. :lol:
I think you're probably better off saving the money. If this is your first C5, it'll feel PLENTY fast off the showroom floor. And then once you get the "modification" bug, pony up for a set of 3.42's or go crazy with 3.73's.
Enjoy the ride and let us know which way you go. :cheers:
I think you're probably better off saving the money. If this is your first C5, it'll feel PLENTY fast off the showroom floor. And then once you get the "modification" bug, pony up for a set of 3.42's or go crazy with 3.73's.
Enjoy the ride and let us know which way you go. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 8
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Re: 3.15 gear - Is it worth it? (pettrix)
A no brainer unless you plan to go to a bigger gear later. I test drove several 2.73s and 3.15s. You can easily tell the difference. I have the 3.15s but plan on going to 4.10s. If you think you will mod later, save the money now. If not get the 3.15s.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: 3.15 gear - Is it worth it? (ndirishr1)
If you think you will mod later, save the money now.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: mission b.c.
Re: 3.15 gear - Is it worth it? (pettrix)
i have the 3.15 in my 02 coupe and its okay but after some runs down the highway in 3rd between 50 + 80 mph when you step on it moves ( instantly) .i don't think the rpms are too high and the exhaust wasn't loud . anyways i am going to install 3:73 rear + ss3600 tc. some info i picked up from GM rep stock c5 a4 rear 2.73 0 to 60 mph 4.9 sec. ,3.15 0-60mph 4.70 sec. ,3.42 0-60 mph 4.57 sec. , 3.73 0-60 mph 4.47 sec.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Re: 3.15 gear - Is it worth it? (02blueelectron)
I would never get 2.73 either, but as funny as it sounds, theer is one advantage to 2.73s. If you run on the interstate at 70 to 80 mph, a 2.73 car will always downshift in to second gear and actually pull a lot harder in that situation. A 3.15 car will not shift into second anymore above 75 mph or so and even at 70 mph, it only remains in second for a little bit and then upshifts into 3rd. So for roll-on on the interstate a 2.73 car will pull away from a 3.15 car. Stock for stock.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: 3.15 gear - Is it worth it? (Alex D)
A 3.15 car will not shift into second anymore above 75 mph or so and even at 70 mph
You can always select the gear yourself - right?