What is involved (DETAILS, please) in swapping out my 2.73 gears to 3.42s? As far as installation goes, can I do it myself? Is there any machining or complicated stuff like that involved?

 

Do not do it yourself. There's a lot of expertise and special equipment needed to install gears. For a 2.73 to 3.42 gear increase (why not 3.73?) I believe you're going from a 2-carrier to a 3-carrier design. I'm not familar myself on what is needed when doing this as I've only worked on 3-carrier rearend upgrades. Aside from the ring and pinion gear you will need new bearings (pinion, differential, wheel axle bearings), shims, wheel axle seals, gasket and that's pretty much it as I recall. Ratech sells an install kit but most rearend shops will have everything you'll need.

For the gears I recommend Motive since they whine the least. I personally run 3.73 Strange gears myself and the whine isn't that bothersome really. With my cutout open you hardly hear it. I used to run 4.10 Precision Gears which lasted a good two or three years.

 

I agree...go with Motive...I had mine installed as well, you don't want to mess with trying to figure out the backlash...a bud of mine did, and he crushed his crush sleeve...you could hear 'dem gears whining two blocks away...IMHO 3.73's would be a perfect choice too...I like mine...I finish the quarter right at the end of fourth, and I still have my highway

 

I think 3.73 would be a little much. I don't want to go that extreme. 3.42 will do just fine.



how much is it to have it all installed?

 

I would say right around 150-175 installed...and try to get the shop to check the pattern for you when you are halfway through the break-in period (500 miles, no hard acceleration), mine had to be adjusted just a tad again. Believe it or not, I skipped the local speed shop for my install and had an off-road place do it...those guys tend to know gears inside and out

 

where did you come up with those numbers? All the shops nearby told me 500-600 dollars.

 

Most of the experienced shops in my area charge around $350 for labor alone.

 

it very well could have been the fact that I went to a place specializing in off road instead of a speed shop? Dunno, but that is what I paid, including that inspection that I talked about...sorry if that doesn't help....

D

 

i do appreciate the help. Maybe someone in the Bay Area knows of a good place?

 

I'll send you an email of a shop I recommend.

 

I paid 400 for an install (not including oil and additive) from a place that does work on camaros. I think i paid too much, since i gave them the gears and the installation kit... oh well...

 

Here is probably the best advice you'll get all day.

If you want 3.42 gears, find someone in the for sale forum who is selling the COMPLETE stock rear end out of their M6 car. Most likely the person would be upgrading to a 12 bolt. Make sure the rear is still in good condition and isn't broken or anything.

I got mine from a guy in Pennsylvania for like $300. Then the only other thing I had to buy was a Hypertech (for the speedo re-program) again purchased off the for sale forum.

You can't do a 3.42 gear swap cheaper than that if you've gotta get someone to do the install for you. My dad and I swapped the rearend in my car two weeks ago in 4.5 hours. Its easy. The only thing you need is a set of craftsmans, jackstands and a floor jack.

 

That 3.42 rear end,........i would know nothing about. And if the person selling it wants to get rid of it for a 12 bolt; Then chances are he had a little too much power through the stocker (hence, the new 12 bolt). I don't want to replace the entire axle. Way more involved that I wanted. Just some new gears (with warranty).

 

have you considered a stud kit as well?

 

There are also any number of junk yards that will sell you a pretty good rearend from a crashed car. With the economy the way it is I'm sure they'd be willing to make a deal. Every yard I've been to has stacks of rearends.