Gears or Headers??????????
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,550
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From: Houston Texas
Gears & TC
I have an Automatic 2000 A4, considering either Headers TPiS or Gears 3.73. The car has 3.15 today. Only want to do one or the other today and need advice?
Thanks in advance
I have decided I am going with Gears, now the TC question?
[Modified by krl, 11:35 AM 3/18/2004]
[Modified by krl, 6:58 AM 3/20/2004]
Thanks in advance
I have decided I am going with Gears, now the TC question?
[Modified by krl, 11:35 AM 3/18/2004]
[Modified by krl, 6:58 AM 3/20/2004]
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: NC
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Re: Gears or Headers?????????? (krl)
If you decided to go with gears you might as well put in a converter at the same time. (as it's best to pay for labor only once) With that in mind you might want to go with the headers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Indianapolis Indiana
Re: Gears or Headers?????????? (krl)
I'm doing both. Friday the 2000 A4 gets 4.10s and LG long tubes headers. Based on common wisdom fromthis site the 4.10s are overkill as most suggest 3.73s or 3.90s and some ven 3.42s. I've got 3.15s and decided to go all the way. It's a lot of $$s so I hope I'm pleased.
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Re: Gears or Headers?????????? (bgood)
If you decided to go with gears you might as well put in a converter at the same time. (as it's best to pay for labor only once) With that in mind you might want to go with the headers.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Tinley Park IL
Re: Gears or Headers?????????? (krl)
Go with the gears and the converter. I wish I had done the same but I now have to wait till I'm done doing everything else that I had bought for my car and save up more cash. :banghead:
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Rocky Mount NC
Re: Gears or Headers?????????? (krl)
I have an Automatic 2000 A4, considering either Headers TPiS or Gears 3.73. The car has 3.15 today. Only want to do one or the other today and need advice?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
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Re: Gears or Headers?????????? (ndirishr1)
I'm doing both. Friday the 2000 A4 gets 4.10s and LG long tubes headers. Based on common wisdom fromthis site the 4.10s are overkill as most suggest 3.73s or 3.90s and some ven 3.42s. I've got 3.15s and decided to go all the way. It's a lot of $$s so I hope I'm pleased.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Re: Gears or Headers?????????? (ndirishr1)
I'm doing both. Friday the 2000 A4 gets 4.10s and LG long tubes headers. Based on common wisdom fromthis site the 4.10s are overkill as most suggest 3.73s or 3.90s and some ven 3.42s. I've got 3.15s and decided to go all the way. It's a lot of $$s so I hope I'm pleased.
krl - GEARS/TC! :smash: :yesnod:
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,796
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From: Annandale VA
Re: Gears or Headers?????????? (BOTTLE FED)
With headers you will gain power, and SOTP performance. With gears, you will lose power. The car might rev faster, and you might be able to fry your tires easier, but you won't really accelerate that much faster.
W/ an A4, if you must go with gears, I'd try a 3.42. They are more efficient, won't kill your gas mileage, and are much stronger than shorter gears. They are also more available used, from the many M6 guys who have switched to a shorter gear.
W/ an A4, if you must go with gears, I'd try a 3.42. They are more efficient, won't kill your gas mileage, and are much stronger than shorter gears. They are also more available used, from the many M6 guys who have switched to a shorter gear.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Wichita Ks
Re: Gears or Headers?????????? (HITMAN99)
. . The car might rev faster, and you might be able to fry your tires easier, but you won't really accelerate that much faster.
and are much stronger than shorter gears. .
and are much stronger than shorter gears. .
:confused:
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Re: Gears or Headers?????????? (MC TORCH RED)
if you look at the real power gains with headers, it doesn't come into play until around 4200rpm.
If you are a dragstrip fanatic, headers are important since you are running most of the 1/4 mile in this higher RPM range.
But if you are not a frequent visitor to the track; and mainly just want SOTP improvements with acceleration - while driving the car in normal traffic conditions, then IMO gears are better for your cars useage. With a performance rear axle ratio, you will feel a thrust increase at all RPM's - in any gear; even overdrive.
[Modified by Mike Mercury, 4:37 PM 3/20/2004]
If you are a dragstrip fanatic, headers are important since you are running most of the 1/4 mile in this higher RPM range.
But if you are not a frequent visitor to the track; and mainly just want SOTP improvements with acceleration - while driving the car in normal traffic conditions, then IMO gears are better for your cars useage. With a performance rear axle ratio, you will feel a thrust increase at all RPM's - in any gear; even overdrive.
[Modified by Mike Mercury, 4:37 PM 3/20/2004]
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Houston Texas
Re: Gears or Headers?????????? (Mike Mercury)
Mike
Thanks for input you are right on what I want :) and SOTP fun. I have read the common forum wisdom on TC do you have any opinion on a TC.
Thans
Thanks for input you are right on what I want :) and SOTP fun. I have read the common forum wisdom on TC do you have any opinion on a TC.
Thans
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Annandale VA
Re: Gears or Headers?????????? (Tlkschep)
I know several F-body A4 guys who have switched from the 2.73 gears to 3.23's, & have seen NO improvement in their ET's. The shorter gears improve their short times, but the taller gears are more efficient, and the top speed improves.
I switched my M6 from 3.42's to 3.73's, & saw no track improvements. Perhaps if I ran sticky tires, the shorter gears might make a difference.
For heads/cam cars, the shorter gear does keep the revs up, and performance will improve somewhat.
Re strength, the shorter the gear, the easier it will break. The shorter gear has more teeth on the same size ring, and the teeth are thinner. THat's why the shortest gear you can get in a std. 10-bolt rear is a 4.11, maybe a 4.30.
I switched my M6 from 3.42's to 3.73's, & saw no track improvements. Perhaps if I ran sticky tires, the shorter gears might make a difference.
For heads/cam cars, the shorter gear does keep the revs up, and performance will improve somewhat.
Re strength, the shorter the gear, the easier it will break. The shorter gear has more teeth on the same size ring, and the teeth are thinner. THat's why the shortest gear you can get in a std. 10-bolt rear is a 4.11, maybe a 4.30.
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Gears or Headers?????????? (HITMAN99)
I switched my M6 from 3.42's to 3.73's, & saw no track improvements.
that ratio change is automatic for anyone on this forum that is a track fanatic. In fact, a rear axle ratio change HAS TO make a 1/4 mile difference (sans drivers abilities). About the only time it doesn't - is if the change is too far - forcing an extra shift; or the car is still running EMT type rear tires .
