I'm looking at buying a 1997 Z28 A4 with 2.73's. I've been searching the forums for about two days now just looking on how the 2.73's really hurt you compared to the 3.23 and so on. I plan on cutting the block out of the shifter so I can drop it down to first on roll races, but anyway here some some q's....

1. What does a stock 2.73 car run in the 1/4? How does it compare to 3.23's?
2. How hard is it to change gears to say 3.73's? What parts will I need? What price range am I looking at?

Thanks in advance guys...

 

I have a 2.73 auto. Haven't taken it to the track yet, so I can't comment on the track performance. The 3.23 will have a slightly stronger take-off due to it being a lower gear [gears are power multipliers].

To change the gears to a 3.73, you will have to buy a set for a Stage2 carrier [that's what our rears have]. I would buy a gear set and an install kit through one of the site sponsors [such as thunderracing.com], and I would suggest a rear end girdle/install kit to help strengthen the rear end. Installation at a professional shop is highly suggested. Probably around 200-400 for an install.

 

I've got an A4 with 2.73s. It's not quite stock, but pretty close to it. See sig for details and times.

A lot of people will tell you to immediately ditch the 2.73s in favor of 3.73s, but I would not rush into that. Personally, I like my 2.73s. On the other hand, if everyone says 3.73s are way better, they probably are.

Finn

 

My Z/28 close to stock ran 13.9 @ 101.0 with 2.73s. Pretty good imo.

The one thing I notice about the 2.73s is once you bust em loose, which is easy, they will spin like no other.

 

If I could do it all over again, I would have gotten 3.42 or 3.73s the day after I bought Skull-1. I have Strange 3.73s, which are not that much better than 3.42s I had. I did 147 in 3rd gear with 3.42s, so there is plenty of top end. Getting rid of my 2.73s was one of the best mods I made.

 

Alright sweet. You guys pretty much answered my questions. I wont fear the 2.73's as much as I was now.

 

what do you think of 4.11's but on a 6 speed

 

It's cool to have a V8 that gets ok mileage on the street, and the 2.73's will do that. I ran low 14's until my gear swap. After I switched to 3.73, I managed a best of 13.68. There was no other mod done to the car.

 

I can spin almost all of first in the right conditions. Like someone said, once they start spinning it's easy to keep them spinning. I get 17 mpg city and roughly 20 highway. It's still a lot of fun.

 

My car went 14.4 @ 97 basically stock. Intake, exhaust, drag radials, gears, tun brought me to 13.6 @ 101.

 

I had the 2.73's on my car originally. I just bought the richmond 3.73's for the 2 series carrier, and the install kit. It was like idk 200 for the gears n 130 for the kit, you can get other kits for 100 or less but the more expensive one is better. Installation can rape you, i would say no less than 2 hundred or so. I would have gone with more gear, but I did the s/c too so i wanted to stay in the higher rpms for a little longer while Im making full boost. If your n/a go with 4.10s, same price, but you will be quicker in 1/4. If you dont have a minimum of $550 to spend, I wouldnt get started.

Will

 

i took my car to the track 100% stock in the 8th mile i ran 9.4 that is with 2.73 gears my car is a 1997 z28 a4

 

My convertible with 2.73's stock right down to the paper air filter went 9.33 @ 78 with a 2.0 60ft. Ive only had the car to the track twice so if i found the right consitions it might do a lil better.

 

As others have said, the 2.73's perform well enough for most. Stock, mine ran 14.0's with them and dropped to 13.7's with 3.42's and drag radials. On the highway or if gas mileage is a concern, you'll appreciate the 2.73's. Swapping them out isn't that big a deal or expense later if you decide to give it a try. You can easily pick up a used 3 series carriers and 3.42 gears for $50-100 from what I've seen. My swap cost less than $550 including all parts (I supplied gears/carrier, they supplied the reluctor ring and seals/bearings/fluids) and labor at a local Chevy dealer.