stock 3.42 to 3.73 gears worth it?!

I wasnt quite sure if I wanted to change my gears to 3.73 from 3.42 because its such a little change in ratios, but this IS my daily driver too. I am thinking of changing them because my rearend is whining a little lately after a nice burnout the other night. Do you guys recommend the change.....will I see a performance change?! THANKS-

if you have an auto i say go for the 3.73's...but if you have a 94+ M6 go 4.10's or nothing :D

With M-6 going from 3.42 to 3.73 will give you a 9% increase in torque whereas going to 4.10s will give you 20%. With an M-6, 6th gear is pretty much useless, whereas the 4.10s will make 6th gear work. Usually run about 2100 RPM at 70 MPH. Going with a lower gear should help you in the 1/4.

Recommend going with GM OEM gears, not the GM Motives, and definitely not richmonds (which many claim are noisier).

Would also recommend using Raytech solid pinion spacers in lieu of the crush sleeves. The solids supposed help keep gears from moving, thus providing a bit more strength for the puny 10 bolts. JMHO :cool:

Thanks guys you REALLY made me consider 4.10's . I used to always think they were track use only but with these 6 spds I wouldnt mind 2100 at 70!!!! That is SWEET!!! Where can I score gm oem gears at 4.10? Are these rearends posi or limited slip or what? Should I change anything else too while I'm under there, THANKS BUBBA for the tip on the pinion spacers!!!

Couple of places: Ring & Pinion 1-800-292-1031 or Drive Train Specialist DTS in Michigan (google them).

Check prices and shipping. Be sure to make sure you want the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Since the Lt1s didn't originally come with 4.10s you will be looking at the OEMS that came with the S-10 blazer, I think--but they should know that.

Make sure you get the directions including set back specs, etc. :cool:

I went from 3.42-3.73 and would do it again. It makes a good gear for the street in a 6 speed. another reason why I went 3.73 is because I am going to use n2o

Well I went from 3.42's to 3.73's but only because I replaced my stock rear with a used 12-bolt that I picked up which already came set up with 3.73's. For what it's worth I could have sworn I felt a SOTP difference with the 3.73's :D Although if I were just replacing the gears in the stock rear I would go with some 4.10's for a 6-speed like the others are saying. I would like to spray a 100-shot maybe in the future though so the 3.73's are good for me.

if you have an auto i say go for the 3.73's...but if you have a 94+ M6 go 4.10's or nothing :D

I agree...the use of 6th is awesome now with the 4.10...although with normal street tires launching is a biatch... :D

In my case on my ride I already have 3.23 so i didnt want a little change to 3.73. I would recomend 4.11 nice big jump and still dailly driver. I am 16 so gas is crazy but im still ok on that.

I had gm motive 4.10 in my 97 lt1 and they were pretty nice and fun but car got slower on street tires. Now if had some nittos would have been great.
I sold my 97 ta and bought the 99 and put the 4.10 in there. They were fun too but they whined terrrible and couldn't get them to be quiet. Yanked them
and got talked into richmond 3.73. They were also good but they whined worse the the 4.10 motives so went sadly back to 3.42. I will maye got 3.73 and 12 bolt in the 99 next time. I am planning a turbo and hearing different opinions of what gear is best with it.

But for the average guy not going to go to big power adder the 4.10 are my favorite. I did pull on my buddies exactly same modded ws6 when I had 3.73 and he didn't .

I had the same question on my auto car, and went to 4.10s. Dropped 0.3 off my quarter times. My "OE" gears whine more than I'd like it to. And randy's R&P is who I've dealt with lately. They stand behind the product, and they didn't supply the noisy gears in my camaro. Good Luck!

I concur on the motives being whiney...

So is whiney like the rpms get stuck or........

It's like having a little blower bolted to the rearend. You will generally have a noise increase with lower gears because everything in front of the ring gear spins faster, then add a noisy gear and it can get loud. My auto Z28 has headers & ORY with a stock cat back so it's moderately quiet, and the rearend noise is noticable and somewhat annoying. It's the reason that I've learned how to set my own gears up on later projects.

Don't be suprised if it reveals a driveshaft vibration too. Low gears are real sensitive to shaft condition. Good Luck!

I am going to get 4.10 gears now, I want a big performance gain and I dont think the 3.73 will cut it--- thanks for everyones opinions---

Well I just bought some gm OE 4.10's and a gear install kit. Now I just need to find a solid spacer instead of the crush sleeve. Can you buy those anywhere specific because I cant fine one , or do you have to make one yourself?!?! Is that all I need to complete the installation?( well my friend has all the tools and is going to help while I do it ). Here is the link to the parts I bought---

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7985630256&category=33731&sspagename=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7983481987&category=33731&sspagename=WD1V

Thank you very much for helping me---

Well I just bought some gm OE 4.10's and a gear install kit. Now I just need to find a solid spacer instead of the crush sleeve. Can you buy those anywhere specific because I cant fine one , or do you have to make one yourself?!?! Is that all I need to complete the installation?( well my friend has all the tools and is going to help while I do it ). Here is the link to the parts I bought---

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7985630256&category=33731&sspagename=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7983481987&category=33731&sspagename=WD1V

Thank you very much for helping me---
Solid pinion spacer is Bottom of this page (http://thunderracing.com/catalog/?action=vshop&vid=4&pcid=67)
Dont know how much your budget is. But i would reccomned a TA Rearend cover w/ stud kit. WHat is the tooth count on the ring and pinion 41/10 or 37/9?
Your gonna love them, I just put the 4:11's in last week with a new Zexel Posi,cover w/ stud kit,and solid pinion spacer. The Z pulls real hard now:bow:

Then i would reccomend a Madz28 Computer tune which you will need to have your speedo adjusted. For 100$ you get everything you need done including the power tune. defintly worth it.

Wow bro that helped me alot, but I am sorta confused at the TA rearend cover and stud kit, is that just for looks or does it actually do something with the performance?! Thanks for the link :)

Please post a link to the rearend cover and stud kit too, do you trust that other link (shop)?? I will buy from them if you have done business with them before, but I have never heard of them......

Hey bro they are 41/10's are the other ones stronger though?! (can you tell a perf. difference?). Thanks, also whats up with the TA cover and stud kit???

Hey bro they are 41/10's are the other ones stronger though?! (can you tell a perf. difference?). Thanks, also whats up with the TA cover and stud kit???
41/10 : are acutal 4:10's
37/9 :are 4:11's

the 4:11's are a bit stonger to an extent because there is more steel contact compared to the 4:10's. there was no proven tests done or anything, its just something people discovered over time. Because these rears a 7.5", the ring and pinion gears are smaller and can break easier. You'll see the size difference between the pinion on the 4:10's a compared to the 3:42's. Just dont "dump" the clutch alot, because that is usually what destroys the 4:10's.
but there is no performance difference between 4:10's and 4:11.
I lucked out and got both of these brand new off a friend for 100$ PICTURE 4:11's and Zexel Posi (http://pastreetracing.net/images/upload/64yn.jpg)

As for the solid pinion spacer, TA cover w/ stud kit, its all just a little "insurance" to keep the rear held together tightly. Personally i think its worth the money to help keep the rear together longer.
Yea Thunder Racing is a well respected company. I buy from them all the time. They are also a sponsor of CZ28.com :bow:
ANy other questions let me know

Thank you VERY much....BTW beautiful boxer, my friend has your dogs clone ;)

Hey, my rear end is leaking out of the pinion seal. How hard is to replace this? I heard you have to replace the crush collar? Will the solid pinion spacer replace the crush collar. I have just heard that there is some adjustments that have to be done? also, does all the fluid come out when the pinion comes out? The rear end came out of a 1999 T/A with only 6 miles on it, and now only about 5000 miles on it so there is nothing wrong with it ...except for the leaking fluid. Thanks, Shimaze

BTW> was that dog guarding those parts, or getting ready to eat them? :confused: :confused: :confused:

BTW> was that dog guarding those parts, or getting ready to eat them? :confused: :confused: :confused:

i think he was ready to eat the Pinion :lol:

But to awnser your question about the pinion seal. i had the same problem on my rear, so i was like hell i'll just install gears. and yes the solid pinion spacer does replace the crush collar. not really sure if you can do that or not when just chaging the pinion seal cause i never did it. but im sure someone will chime in