Just curious, what stock gears came with the 96 Z and what would I want for the max gear ratio? (3.42s on here now)

 

IIRC A4 had 2.93 and M6 had 3.42 stock. There may have been an option for 3.23s with a performance package.

Depending on what kind of setup you're looking for there are a few gears you could go with. You on an Auto or Manual?

 

Auto.

 

You can always check your RPO codes (glove box or door jam)
IIRC, both my 93 and my 95 had 3.23 stock. (both autos) Both ended up with 3.73s
My 92 has 2.73s (also an auto)

GU2: 2.73
GU3: 2.93
GU4: 3.08
GU5: 3.23
GU6: 3.42

 

So you're saying that your '96 (A4) HAS 3.42's in it, but you're curious what the factory gears would have been, and what's the most you could run?? Well, the car would have come with either 2.73's or 3.23's (based on the RPO codes James just posted) or if you can pull your shifter all the way back to 1st, then it would have had 3.23's. If 1st is blocked out, then it would have had 2.73's.

As far as the "most" gear you can run with an A4? Well, most people say run 3.73's. I ran 4.10's and had no problem with them, and others have run 4.10's as well. Depending on what you plan to do with your car, you can even get extreme and run 4.56's (or lower) in your car.

3.42's are a really good "do-it-all" gear though. They'll give you good pull off the line, and yet cruise on the highway without screaming the motor like crazy (the 4.10's are a little too extreme for some).

Really it depends on what you want your car to do.