i have both sets 3:42's and 3:73's just dont know what to put in..... its an automatic car and i do, do some highway driving. i did take it down to ocean city maryland last year. thats about a 5-6 hour drive....i know 3:42's are more logical i guess, but i just wana see how everyone with 3:73's likes them....

 

3.42's will certainly give you better economy on the highway, while they'll still give you a good kick in the pants off the line compared to 2.73's. However, I drive my car on the highway with 4.10's, and cruise around ~70 - 80 mph (~2700 - 3000 RPM) and don't suffer huge mileage losses even compared to 2.73's!? My best ever mileage with 4.10's was 265 miles on a tank, and w/2.73's my best ever was 310. However, my AVERAGE mileage with EITHER ratio seems to always be around ~220 miles per tank! I guess what I'm saying is, you might as well go with the 3.73's.

 

You're an LS1, they get way better gas milage than LT1's. I get 260 to a tank with 2.73s and some highway, some city. Roughly 20 mpg.

 

I get worse mileage than my LT1 buddies do! I think it's my driving habits!

One of my friends has a '96 T/A, A4, w/3.42's, and he always claimed to get around ~260 to a tank with his 2.73's, and I don't think his mileage got much worse with the 3.42's??

 

i didnt buy the car for mpg. i bought the car for plain fun. i know the 3:73's will be more fun, i just dont want to be taching 3500 rpms for a constant 6 hours or so when i go on long trips....

 

There is not really much difference when crusing at say 70, 2.73's will be ~1750 RPM's, 3.42 will be ~2200 RPM's and 3.73's will be ~2400 RPM's.

Do you really think you will be burning that much more gas crusing 200 RPM's more?

BTW, if you want to see what it might be like 70 MPH in 3rd gear on the 2.73's will be a little higher (100 RPM's) then in 4th with 3.73's so next time your up for testing gas milage never let it go into 4th. that should be a little more then you would ever pay going to 3.73's.

Disclaimer - math done under the assumption you are using stock tire sizes, check my calc for more accurate numbers.

 

The only was you would be doing that is it you cruised at >100 MPH for 6 hours and I doubt the cops would alow that! trust me I go to OC every years the cops are always out!

 

Gas is not going to be that much diff. between the two gear's. Go with the 3.73s so you'll be happy in the long run. JMO

 

ok thanks alot for everyones input!!!

 

Maybe I should take the 3.42s I got and put them in....hmmm decisions, decisions...

I know someone with 3.42 and he said he gets 18-20mpg right now. Yet I get 20mpg max on highway...Maybe I shouldn't stomp on those entry ramps so much...