I respectfully disagree with GoFast908Z statement, you are only turning 300 RPM more from 3.42 to 3.73, that extra 300 RPM keeps you in the power band longer. My vehicle runs like a scalded ape in O.D. on the freeway, plenty of pull in the higher RPM's.

SteveC

 

i definitly have to agree with you steve on that.

 

Ok. I'm just going from what I know. I've got 2.73's and the downshift on the freeway from an 80 mph roll is amazing! My friend has a similarly equiped 98 Z and he has upgraded to 3.73:1 (A4), and on the freeway, at a 80 mph roll, it won't downshift to 2nd, it will only go down to third. Because of that, there is not as much torque put down to the ground as mine. At an 80 mph roll I can take him like its nobodies business.

However he runs the 1/4 about 5 tenths quicker than me. I'm just saying what I know. Thats what this forum is about. I'm glad some people (you) know how to keep it respectful, and not turn it inot a stupid 4 page argument.

 

At 80mph 3.23 cars won't downshift to 2nd either, we are stuck at about 4K in 3rd gear, nice and far away from out powerband. I know I don't have an ls1, but I'm seriously thinking about 3.73's too.

 

One of my next mods is 3.42:1, but I'm gonna get my LTs and true duals first, and here is why: The 80mph downshift. I'll loose that going to 3.42:1 and I really like it. It pulls like crazy right now, I can't wait to feel that pull after I add about 25 RWHP!!!! That will be insane! Then I'll get my gears, (after I've changed my pants )

 

GoFast908Z, no problem, when ideas are shared, information is gained, and everyone benefits from it.

I am getting ready to have a Yank 3000 converter with a 2.0 STR installed coupled to my 3.73 gears, it should be very interesting after the install .

SteveC

 

 

Suuuuuuuuussssssssssh, quietly. Don't want my low 12 second stock motored 3.42 car to hear this. Maybe it'll start running slower.

LS1 cars love converters. Gear changes don't do much until you need it for a cam.

 

A big converter solves this. Doesn't matter what speed or what gear, down shifts are scary

 

THe whole Idea of the converter is to multiply Torque , and will also give you better shift extension. In a A4 323 gears is a great gear coupled by the right converter and is not nessesary to change gearing. But if you are looking for an all out race trip then the gears are a good investment for the track , 373s would do the trick. FOr me I had 273s in my car and went to 342s and that is a sweet gear right on the money for a daily driver/ performer. But we are all the different people and we are all trying to achieve Different things with our cars . But I will just say this one last thing everyone is talking about the downshift features in the A4 on the highway or from a rolling race , Hasnt anyone heard of pulling the shifter back into to 2nd gear if you want to down shift , I do that all the time if a Stick car pulls along side of me.

 

Be careful with that, you can easily over-rev it.

 

Yes you can do that. You can also shift your A4 into first and shift it up manually to avoid the hated 35mph dead spot. The only problem is that is very bad for the 4l90e transmission. I was told my numerous people here and at ls1tech that you'll burn up a 4l60e trans fast if you shift yourself on a regular basis.

So my advice based on thier advice is don't do it. If once and a great while you get someone who challenges you while your in a dead spot then ok but I wouldn't even consider doing it as part of everyday driving. At least not if you want your transimission to last a long time.

 

I dont have a problem with the downshift manually , But I do do it if some Nut sack with a stick pulls onside of me and wants to go usually, the same nut sacks that will never race from a dig( Let me see, those are the guys that say I cant go from a stop because i cant get any traction Wah Wah Wah, I only have nittos myself) . Over reving is not a problem thou I have hit the limiter a few times , 6600rpm OOPS. Its all part of the race I guess.

 

richmond gears are the strongest gears they make but they do make a whinning sound if that dosent bother.OEM gears are dead quite but not as strong,are you sure you have a 3.23 call the manufacture and check i put a 4.10 gear in my 99 a4 z-28 and i thought it had a 3.23!!It was a 100$ mistake in labor charges cause cause it only had a 2.73 its better to always check.as for performance anthing from a 3.73 and up will definetly wake up an ls1 im smokin the hell outa corvetts now but your gas milage will defenitely drop on the highway.

 

Just keep in mind even with a rev limiter you can still spin the engine too high by dropping gears, the rev limiter is doing its job but the engine can still see some high RPMs.
I love my 3.73s and I switched from 3.23s stock.
It made a big difference in my car especially when I got the suspension and the Nittos.