Craigster05

Im looking for real world experiences and opinions for those who have done the gears. Like 'em? Anything you dont? Would you do it again?

I may have a chance to pick up an 08 A6 and wanted to hear what people thought that have lived with it for awhile now that the initial wow factor is gone....not looking for any advertising, bashing or arguing, please; just a fun discussion. Id be coupling the gears with the headers, intake and FAST already on the car. If you did any other mods or track runs, Id love to hear that too...though it's not going to be a track car.

HOXXOH

Just as a starting point for reference, I gained .3 ET with a 3200 Yank converter for about $800 self installed and retained the stock 2.56 gear. A friend spent slightly over $2000 including installation for a 3.42 gear with his stock converter and gained .1 ET. Just facts and no opinion.

Craigster05

Nice...that's the type of thing I am looking to know....Ive never had an A6 before, and though I wasnt looking for one specifically, the deal and car may be too good to pass up...being the OCD and inpatient guy I am...of course I have to start mod plans even before I buy it...

mikeford

I have an a6 with a vortech supercharger got my 342 gears off ebay.It was a diff out of a 07 zo6 a direct bolt on to an a6. Love it I would do it again. I paid $1300 for the diff intalled it myself paid $35 for a tune adjustment for the new gear ratio over the internet . Noticed a big difference in feel on the street.

mikeford

Forgot still have my 256 diff in the basment I could sell that and subtract it from the cost if I wanted to.

OBSSSD

Definitely do a Yank 3200 converter it will make a much bigger difference than gears, and your highway mileage will stay unaffected.

TrenAman

+1 on the Yank SS3200 with 3.42's.. I loved my A6, especially on the highway, with those new gears drone dissappeared. Feels a ton quicker, problem is they are just not strong enough for some of us high HP guys, I am currently getting a A4 RPM conversion done from my A6..

SpinMonster

Find a tuner that does gear swaps on Z06's and get the core from them. The Z06 diff bolts up directly to the A6 and has strength far beyond what you would get paying 1700 to 2200 for a built weaker A6 diff.

Subfloor uses a Z06 diff on his 9 sec N/A car so the performance and strength supports the swap. Ignore anyone telling you its too much gear.

Even if you buy a new Z06 diff, you're total out of pocket expense once you sell you stock diff will be the same.

Its a no brainer my friend.

thesubfloor

Couldn't have said it better myself.

HOXXOH

One thing I forgot to mention was that if you change converters, take that opportunity to drop the A6 pan and change the filter and fluid too. If you blow out the cooler lines, you'll get nearly 100% fresh fluid back in.

I ran without an extra cooler with my 3200, but I doubt I can handle the 3600 without one in Phoenix. It seems most sources say 160-180 is an ideal heat range for tranny fluid. GM runs the fluid through the radiator which tends to hold temps in the 180-200 range. Just watch your temperature closely to see if you need the extra cooler for the type of driving you do.

C6VetteMan

Got the 3:42's from COW. It was my last mod and it all adds up. Defintely a SOTP experience w/the tune. Plan to take the car to the track this month.

Joe_G

<cough>you need a manual<cough>

TrenAman

why? so auto's can blow your doors off?

dicky

it depends what your other mods are, if you plan to get a stall then you would like the gears but if it was me (and i did have the gears without the stall) and i didnt plan to get a stall then i would just keep the 2.56 gears. i only picked up about .15 et with the gear swap but they felt really good on the street. also the gears made me drop about 2-2.5 mpg on the interstate at at 77mph, i know no one here bought there vette for the mpg.

good luck with your choice
dicky

ktoonsez

I have '08 A6 and changed my gears using the Z06 diff and love it, I would do it in a heartbeat, especially if you can find a used Z06 diff!!!

TrenAman

you def do not hear about RPM stage 3 Z06 diff's going out.. ever...

craftfox

well, i am not even going to read the rest of this thread, I will just give you real world numbers.

My car would go 1.46 1.49 with 3.42s
I have decided that i like my trans, and it likes me not shifting it into 4th gear, makeing 600rwhp, as the clutch pack for 4-5-6 is tiny.
I put 2.73 out of a 08 in it, and guess what, my 60's, 1.44-1.48, my mph is 1-2 higher, I am guessing because there is no wasted shift time. and the car runs at a lower rpm on the highway.

with the right converter, and tune, 3.42 are not needed. the car was alot more violent on the 3.42s but not any faster.

there is something else you need to look at. Guys with BIG hp, dont use gear, they let the power do the work for them. Now that being said, you cant compare our transmission to older trannies because of the gearing IN the trans. thats why a 3.42 is from what i have seen, equal to a 4.10- or so (estimate).

My car has been as fast as all but ONE a6 car on here, and I have ran both gears, and i say 3.42s feel neat on the street, but would not recomend them to anyone, 3.15s are about the max i recommend.

keep your car out of 4th, your trans will thank you for it.

TrenAman

craftfox.. he is not tracking his car, as posted. Those of us, including us high HP guys love 3.42's. In fact, I am yet to hear someone complain that they went with 3.42's for a street car.. it is so much fun to drive..

ohh and my A6 is faster than yours, so you can mark that as 2 a6's

craftfox

lol, i did not say they were not fun, and my time on this board is not current..lol

they are a hoot, makes a car feel great, but I gave my O.P, i dont think they are needed. I have had all but 3.15s, AT THE TRACK, and have actual e.ts. they are not faster, so whats the point?

TrenAman

just messing with you