Ok, i know there are tons of people that have done this before and I have done a search. But it seems like everyone that has posted about this has cared greatly about gas mileage (which i really dont understand why these people have a muscle cars in the first place). So here goes...

I have a 95 Z A4 w/ 2.73's in it right now. I am debating which gears to upgrade to. I want better acceleration and i know this is the missing link besides doing more suspension. All my mods are in the sig. I am going with precision gears. A lot of people are saying that 3.42's are a nice all around gear and that 3.73's are more strip oriented. Since i only go to the track 2-3 times a season. Im wondering if it is even worth it to do the 3.73's.

Please help all. I always seem to get great imput on here.

 

If you don't care about gas mileage, then the only remaining concern is the reduction in top-end power (over 100mph).

I love my 3.42's (stock). The car is strong all the way to 150mph, and then some. That said, I'm seriously considering 3.73's when I get a 12-bolt.

 

well, im trapping right now at about 102-103. So i dont think that top end power reduction is going to hurt all that much.

Anybody else? What is everybody else using with comprable mods? And times?

 

Right now I have 3.42's with a tune (other mods also) and I love them, but when I go to a 12 bolt I am going to go 3.73 or something but I will have a motor them and have plenty of top end.

 

mind me asking what your other mods are? Are they similar to mine?

 

Answer this, How many times do you take your car up to 150 MPH? If your speeding money on gears, get the 3.73's, you'll will like it, and actual notice the difference from 2.73's.

 

4.10

 

From 2.73s to 3.73s will be a nice change for you, I think you would love it. Do the 3.73s expecially since it's an auto car.

 

Wont i have a lot more traction issues with 3.73's over 3.42's when just using a drag radials at the track?

That is my main concern that the 3.73's are gonna be so easy to break it loose, because i dont want to do slicks (nor do i think my mods would suggest i need to).

 

I like both the 3.42s and the 3.73s...I have 3.73s in my 12 bolt now and had 3.42s in my 10 bolt. With M/T Radials on 16x8 stockers I do 1.55-57 60's all day. With the proper set up (mine is just basic suspension bolt ons with stock springs and shocks) and good DRs you'll be happy with the 3.73s. I think the 3.42s are a little stronger because they have more teeth on the pnion gear, but you should be ok with the A4...

--Alan

 

so how come a lot of people i see put 3.73's in their 12 bolts but not their 10 bolts? Am i missing something here... is the 10 bolt that weak to handle a constant beating with 3.73s?

So far almost everyone that has responded has 3.73s in a 12 bolt, but not a 10 bolt.

 

i have 3.73 in my stock 10 bolt, no comoplaints about em and i LOVE the extra pull off the line. i went from a 2.73 just like you, i havent looked back since and as far as traction.. other f-bodys on the same track i was on with stock gears were pullin about the same 60's as me on autos, so i dont think its THAT big of a deal (and i have an 18"wheel lol)

 

I'll second that .

Low gears and no traction is misconception I think. Or maybe I just got lucky and have decent tires?

With my STREET TIRES, I've pulled a 1.92 60' time at the track, and the engine was bogging off the line! Even on the street, the tires will only break loose for a second or two, IF THAT, and the car hooks. I've gotten worse traction and had more tire spin issues occasionally with the 2.73's.

I've had both 3.73's and 4.10's in my car, and I can tell you the difference between those two ratios isn't actually all that noticeable. Even on the highway, the car pulls like mad from around ~75 / 80 mph + .

Since you're running with an auto, they're less prone to breaking the diff as M6 cars are. Run whatever ratio you want 'til you break things.

FWIW though, my buddy has 3.42's in his '96 T/A and he likes them, but he's suffered some traction problems, BUT he's got low profile 18's which I'm sure don't help? I'm still running stock sized 245/50/16's on mine.

 

I was leaning towards 3.42's for awhile (since before summer), I just thought that the 3.42's would be a good fit for the mods that i have.

But I think all the praise from the 3.73's has convinced me. Ill just have to get some BFG or Nitto drags for my ZR-1's.

Anybody wanna try changing my mind? Its a long ways for me til I get to drive her again

 

i wont try to change ur mind, cause i love mine and like the other guy said.. around 70-80.. its a whole new game with these gears, but i dont think ull need a drag radial just yet.. just get you a good summer tire until you get some more mods.. only traction issue ive got with mine is cause its on 18s with a 285/35 i still can pull around a 2.0-2.1 all night without a burnout (no more than a cpl dry hops before the line) and at full 32 psi. .. of course if u dont drive it a whole lot anyways go for the drag radial