brians96Z

I am thinking about swapping the gears in my 96 Z28 from 2.73 to 3.42, but have a few questions. For you guys that have tried it, is it worth the money, and the slightly less gas mileage? Is the added power pretty noticeable?

nin97

the difference between 2.73 and 3.42 should be huge...i think you'll definately notice it

Capn Pete

3.42's are a really nice gear to have for all-purpose driving. They'll definitely give your car more snap off the line, but they'll cruise on the highway and keep the engine at reasonable rev's too. My buddy has them in his '96 T/A and likes them.

Also, your gas mileage really won't be that much worse.

87DJP2001

Be aware that you have a 2-series carrier and 3:42's are 3-series gears. Possible solution requires special gears that are made thicker for the 2-series carrier. Someone else will have to give you a source.

94Zpower

I went from 2.73 to a 3.73 and the difference was huge!but I find it sometimes a little high for my liking on the highway so a 3.42 will have a touch more highway room to play with and yes they will definetly be worth the swap!

and as mentioned above you will need the 3 series gear for a 2 series carrier but they are the same price, just make sure you aroder the right ones.

Fast Caddie

Should feel a pretty good difference. The 3.23s are a good bit better than the 2.73s from what i felt. I do a lot of interstate driving and with the 2.73s it would cruise at about 2000rpm at 75mph, while the 3.23s are at about 2400 (2000 at 60mph). 3.42s will probably be about 200 rpm higher and 3.73s about 200 higher than that at 75. When i drove with the 3.73s for a day or two with the auto, it would pull about 2500 at 65 i think (~2800 at 75).

Good gear, just have to decide whether or not you want to buzz at higher rpm going down the highway.

brians96Z

Ok.....so can someone give me a list of everything I will need when I decide to do this? I don't know a whole lot about gear swaps, at least the technical part of it. Thanks!

87DJP2001

Then you are going to be in deep touble. Not a typical DIY or learn as you go, unless you are in no hurry to get on the road.

brians96Z

Well...I have a mechanic friend that will do it for me. He is pretty good, having built a Vega for the 1/8th with 1000+ HP.

94ZRiCeKiLr

3.42 is an EXCELLENT choice for a street driven A4. i noticed a consistent 2 tenth improvement in ET.

also, i still get 24 MPG on the highway so gas mileage isn't really affected that much with this swap.

DiabloGT

what about for highway racing/ racing, and you dont care about mpg, are 4.10( or 4.11) the best for it?

viperkiller

4:10 would be good for 60' and 1/8 mile, but nothing else. i and in the mid 80's in the 1/8 now and almost hitting rev limit in 3rd in the 1/4, and you really dont want to run hard in o/d.

DiabloGT

what about 3.73

maxboosteric

I bought a stock complete 3.42 set from a guy on hear for 100.00.I went from 2.73's to the 3.42's from a 95 6spd z(mine is a 95 ta a4).I got the bearings,shims,races and the whole posi.I set it up using the used shims from what mine came with and the one I bought to get the right.Everybody said not to do it that way. I bought a new seal and crush collar and everything went great.The car is totally different now and I love it.The gas mileage dropped but thats my fault .
The best mod by far.I wouldn't go with 3.73's with you drive it everyday like I do.
Eric

DiabloGT

i heard its hard to reach top speed from a 4.11 or 3.73 is that fake? and is 3.73 too much for some stall convertors like around 3,000-3,500? thanks