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3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what?

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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 11:31 AM
  #1  
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Default 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what?

I understand that I'll have to have the PCM edited to reflect the gear change. Right?

I'm in the same boat as many with A4 owners and have question or concerns about installing a Transgo shift kit. The kit is inexpensive (about $120) but the install can be a bear (from some threads I've seen). Seems the jury is still out about the benefits of this kit.

Also, do I HAVE to get an aftermarket Torque Converter? Those are really big bucks and requires the transmission and most of the rear suspension to be dropped (according to my mechanic). Big labor charges there.

What will a 3.42 rear diff, LS-1 edit, and the stock TC give me? I don't plan to track the car any time soon (if ever).

Anybody running this setup?



[Modified by ArmyVette, 11:32 AM 4/23/2004]
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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 11:58 AM
  #2  
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (ArmyVette)

Most of the labor is done just installing the 3.42's, the rear suspension will already be dropped. When they went to install my shift kit I ended up needing a tranny rebuild instead. I now have a vacuum controled 1-2 shift and never had the 1870 code. It did however hit the Rev-limiter at WOT, You could drive normal fine. I am now running a 2400 converter and 3.73s with a HD trans.
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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 12:26 PM
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (Tlkschep)

do I HAVE to get an aftermarket Torque Converter?
no; but it's silly not to upgrade the TC if... if you plan on doing it anyways in the future. It just about doubles the labor cost to do the two seperate.


[Modified by Mike Mercury, 8:41 PM 4/23/2004]
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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 12:34 PM
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (Mike Mercury)

Yeah, Mike, that's what I think too. Spoke with my local Vette repair shop to get some price estimates and he quoted 2 hours labor to install the rear diff but 7 hours labor to install the TC because he has to drop the transmission to install the TC.

Does that sound about right to you?
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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 12:34 PM
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (ArmyVette)

I

What will a 3.42 rear diff, LS-1 edit, and the stock TC give me?

[Modified by ArmyVette, 11:32 AM 4/23/2004]
A very large grin :D I have this setup and the car performs night and day. You need the transgo, gives you much firmer shifts. :thumbs:
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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 12:41 PM
  #6  
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (JSTAN)

It is not a "must do" on the TC but if it is somethng you are considering for the future, bite the bullet and do it now. Will save you another labor charge and you can spend that $$ elsewhere :D Trans go....personal pref. I guess. I dont have it and just firmed things up with the LS1 edit and I am satisfied with the shift quality. Have fun :cheers:
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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 12:55 PM
  #7  
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (Mike Mercury)

Any recommendations on which TC goes best with an A4 used for street only (and only occasionally aggressive)?
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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 02:56 PM
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (ArmyVette)

My 2400 is completly streetable, matter of fact I had to call protorque because I couldn't even tell I installed one. I would have rather had more but the deed is done and will live with it for now.
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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 03:08 PM
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (ArmyVette)

Your labor estimate for the gear change is way off. More like five or six hrs. I have a SY 3500 TC for sale (check the parts for sale section) I think this would be a great combination with your 3.42 gears. Let me know if you are interested.
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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 03:10 PM
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (ArmyVette)

2 hours where's your guy at? or how many guys working on it at once? usally about a five hour job................
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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 07:17 PM
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (ArmyVette)

I've seen a few using the ProTorque2400 and others go with a
Yank. I'm using the SY3500 and it performs outstanding.

I know the boat you're in. If I do this mod, should I get THIS
mod, and so on and so forth. Yes. It can get expensive and
quick. But an aftermarket TC is such a big step over the stock
TC, I just HAD to do it.

:cheers:
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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 08:52 PM
  #12  
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (Purerock105)

I have an 04' with 3.42's, a Vig 2800, and no torque management(LS1 Edit). The car is MUCH more fun to drive now! I HIGHLY recommend it. Go with the PI converter, their customer service is outstanding.

AZC5
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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 09:11 PM
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (ArmyVette)

sent an IM my email is down until monday noon
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Old Apr 24, 2004 | 07:36 PM
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (ArmyVette)

It should be about 5 hrs for both jobs with 2 people on it and the car in the air. You don't need a transgo, you can firm up your shifts with the programming for your specific needs. A Precision Industries Vigilante tc 24-2600 or 3000 should be just what you want. They are located here, just outside of Memphis, Tn., in Oakland and are wonderful to work with. They will even change you stall within the first year if you are not happy with it.
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Old Apr 25, 2004 | 09:11 PM
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (ScreaminDemon)

Get the TC and the Protrque shift kit .I did and it was the best mod I have ever done car was like night and day. :party: :party: :party: :hurray: :steering: :steering:
:party: :party: :party:
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Old Apr 25, 2004 | 09:25 PM
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (ArmyVette)

Yeah, Mike, that's what I think too. Spoke with my local Vette repair shop to get some price estimates and he quoted 2 hours labor to install the rear diff but 7 hours labor to install the TC because he has to drop the transmission to install the TC.

Does that sound about right to you?
FIND A NEW MECHANIC, I did this job by myself in less than 8 hours while the car was on jackstands and I took my time taking plenty of beer breaks. :crazy:
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Old Apr 26, 2004 | 09:51 AM
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Default Re: 3.42 rear diff being installed. Now what? (ArmyVette)

Yeah, Mike, that's what I think too. Spoke with my local Vette repair shop to get some price estimates and he quoted 2 hours labor to install the rear diff but 7 hours labor to install the TC because he has to drop the transmission to install the TC.

Does that sound about right to you?
They either haven't done one before, or the person you were talking to wasn't in the know. I'd look for another place unless this was a shop that I already had a lot of experience with. Pioneers are the ones with the arrows in their back.
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