'17 GS A8 manual rear diff swap
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 396
Likes: 72
'17 GS A8 manual rear diff swap
So... I am considering a possible rear diff swap. Current have A8, 2.73 rear diff with ELSD. I want to maintain ALL OEM fuctionality of elsd etc.
Anyone with some drivetrain experience know if a manual Z06 differential w/ Elsd would be a straight swap option?
The difference in going from the 2.73 to 3.42 from the manual diff would be phenomenal... especially at the drag strip.
Looking for ideas. Would also consider a straight gear swap with my oem diff to 3.42.. but unsure that they are availale currently?
I know Carlos Rios did the 3.42 swap in his record holding Stingray.. but unsure that he maintained elsd or used that in the first place.
My biggest concern in building my car is to maintain stock like driveability and manner while being able to hit the dragstrip OR mountains and kick some ***. That means stock cam, stock converter etc etc etc.
Any ideas greatly appreciated!
Anyone with some drivetrain experience know if a manual Z06 differential w/ Elsd would be a straight swap option?
The difference in going from the 2.73 to 3.42 from the manual diff would be phenomenal... especially at the drag strip.
Looking for ideas. Would also consider a straight gear swap with my oem diff to 3.42.. but unsure that they are availale currently?
I know Carlos Rios did the 3.42 swap in his record holding Stingray.. but unsure that he maintained elsd or used that in the first place.
My biggest concern in building my car is to maintain stock like driveability and manner while being able to hit the dragstrip OR mountains and kick some ***. That means stock cam, stock converter etc etc etc.
Any ideas greatly appreciated!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 396
Likes: 72
Thanks. Doing my research now
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,052
Likes: 945
From: DFW TX
I did the opposite recently actually. I went from the 3:42 in my M7 to the 2:73 from the auto. I did it to not have to shift out of 4th in the half mile. I have a 3:42 rear end laying around if you want to do it. 11,000 miles on it. Out of my '14.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,518
Likes: 942
From: Fl
Did a little math, 1st gear will top out at 34 mph 
Also, it looks like you’ll have to shift into 6th gear at about 120 mph, right before the end of the quarter. Taller tires might help, or a higher redline.
Also, it looks like you’ll have to shift into 6th gear at about 120 mph, right before the end of the quarter. Taller tires might help, or a higher redline.
Last edited by fatsport; May 7, 2018 at 08:23 PM.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 396
Likes: 72
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 396
Likes: 72
yeah, will probably run taller tires and extend the rom a little. Already trapping 127 with the stock 2.73s well into 5th gear. Would prefer to keep 5th or at least be into the meat of 6th gear(whuch is the 1:1 gear)