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Rear diff. W/ torque converter ?

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Old Nov 5, 2014 | 07:52 AM
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Default Rear diff. W/ torque converter ?

Planning out my build for recently purcahased 2004 A4 w/ 2.73 gears. Reading all I can and decided to upgrade to new diff. with 3.42 gears and torque converter in the 2800 stall range. Many claim .5 second 1/4 improvement in diff. alone and .6 improvement with torque converter alone. Is it realistic to expect 1.1 improvement doing both in the 1/4 (tune will be part of this upgrade)?
Phase II will be headers and exhaust ( x-pipe) and cat-back.

Goal is mid 12's in 1/4 but primarily looking for best 0-60 as street driving will be 95% of the time.
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Old Nov 5, 2014 | 08:12 AM
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I suggest a 3,600 stall converter, I don't think you will be too happy with the 2800. I had one before going to 4K.

Last edited by Rob Petyo; Dec 1, 2014 at 02:26 PM.
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Old Nov 5, 2014 | 10:27 AM
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I agree. Modern converters drive very well on the street. 3.42 and a 3600 converter work very well together. Along with headers and a good tune, mid 12s should be expected. Low 12s/ high 11s are possible with the proper set up.

Good luck and welcome to the C5 addiction...
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Old Dec 1, 2014 | 08:34 AM
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Im on the same road. Already added a vararam intake. Still undecided on torque converter though..
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Old Dec 1, 2014 | 10:11 AM
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There were some great sales this weekend. I'm going with LG Street series long tubes with Blackwing CAI and a take off Z06 Ti exhaust with a custom tune as stage I this month. Stage II will be the 3.42 with torque converter in March. The shop I'm working with (Quality Motorsports) recommended a stall no higher than 2800 for street driving
, so still researching the best stall speed at this point.
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Old Dec 1, 2014 | 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Hot_Wheels
I suggest a 3,600 stall converter, I don't think you will be too happy with the 2800. I had one before going to 4K.


As already stated I don't think you'll be happy with a 2800. IMHO you won't notice any difference over stock. Converters are expensive or time consuming to change (if you're doing it yourself) so just go with the 3600 the first time. We run a 4000 and it could be driven on the street daily with a good cooler. Since we race ours now and do very little street driving I wish I would have gone with a 4400.

Scott
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Old Dec 4, 2014 | 07:57 PM
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Pulling the trigger on 3.42 diff plus 360 tc, plus a tune, can't wait.....
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Old Dec 10, 2014 | 11:53 AM
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I went with 342 and Yank 3200. Dont know it is there untill you get on it. 3600TQ would also be good. Headers and a tune you will be mid12s low 12s.
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Old Dec 18, 2014 | 05:43 PM
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If someone says that 2800 TC is max for street driving, I would listen to someone else. 3200 minimum with 3.42 gears. You will not regret it.
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Old Feb 6, 2015 | 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by SMT1004
There were some great sales this weekend. I'm going with LG Street series long tubes with Blackwing CAI and a take off Z06 Ti exhaust with a custom tune as stage I this month. Stage II will be the 3.42 with torque converter in March. The shop I'm working with (Quality Motorsports) recommended a stall no higher than 2800 for street driving
, so still researching the best stall speed at this point.
My combo is identical to your stage 2, except for the converter. G tech 0-60 is 4.0x, With traction 1/8 mile 8.0X @ 85-86 mph 4000+ DA.. Mike at yank talked me into the SS 3600. Ron B.
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Old Feb 10, 2015 | 01:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Hot_Wheels
I suggest a 3,600 stall converter, I don't think you will be too happy with the 2800. I had one before going to 4K.

I agree. I have 3:15's and a 3400 stall. It drives very well, but I really wish the TQ conv was looser. Having a looser Tq conv. will allow more room to grow the engine's HP, as well.
A 2800 stall is not worth the effort. Go 3600...you won't regret it!

Regards,
KoreaJon
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Old Feb 12, 2015 | 02:53 PM
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With a 3.90, Yank SS4000, Vararam, 17" drag radials on OEM thin spokes and a tune we went 12.22 in decent air (not killer) with 1.6x 60' times. I would not be afraid to drive that combination on the street but that is just a personal preference.

Scott
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Old Feb 20, 2015 | 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Tar Heel
With a 3.90, Yank SS4000, Vararam, 17" drag radials on OEM thin spokes and a tune we went 12.22 in decent air (not killer) with 1.6x 60' times. I would not be afraid to drive that combination on the street but that is just a personal preference.

Scott
When I was running that gear/TC combination in my street/strip car, I drove from Dallas Texas home to Knoxville Tennessee in July with no problems. As you said, it is a personal preference. BTW, I went 10.69@125 at the track also.
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