One of my local speed shops told me that in order to put 3.42s in my 97z, automatic, I would need to purchase a new posi unit. Is this true? I've seen kits, much like the one on thunder's site, that include a series 3 carrier. What is that? Can anyone give me the skinny on gears?

thanks

 

What year is your car and what gear do you currently have in your car? If you are running a 2.73 and want a 3.42 then you have a Series 2 carrier. I know for a fact that Strange gears offers a 3.42 for a series 2 carrier. Some brands do not offer gear for both series 2 and 3 carriers. I believe Motive only offers gears for a series 3 carrier. So to answer your question you do not have to buy another posi unit in order to get a 3.42 in your car.

 

Regardless of what gears you currently have, you definitely DO NOT need a new posi just because you want new gears. However, depending on the mileage on your current rear end, you *may* want to upgrade, but it's not necessary .............unless you put in the 3.42's and suddenly notice that the posi is shot?!

If you don't know what gears you currently have, you (obviously) need to find out. Check the sticker on the driver's door for a code GU2 or GU5 (unless that sticker is in a different location on a '97? ). GU2's will mean 2.73's in the back, GU5 is for 3.23's. If you can't find the sticker or the code, then if your car runs ~1900 RPM to do 70 - 75 mph in OD, you know you've got 2.73's. It is up around ~2300 with 3.23's.

If you've got 2.73's, that means a 2-series carrier, so order 3.42's for a 2-series. With 3.23's, they are a 3-series gear like regular 3.42's, so order 3.42's for a 3-series.

Kapeesh??

 

Capeci! Thanks a bunch for the responses guys and I'm sorry that I forgot to mention what kind of stuff my car has.

It's an A4, 2.73s, and it's a 97. So now I know to order the 3.42s for the series 2....thanks a lot guys once again.

Is there going to be a difference between the thicker series 2 or 3 gears?