after a couple months of shopping around, I've been quoted as high as $1400 to change from 2.73 to 3.73 gears, and as low as $800 something. then today, a guy at a local shop quoted me "around $400" installed. they specialize in f-bodys, but still, that seems almost too cheap to me! Is there something that might be left out that I should ask about? they use gm motive gears.

 

best price i got was 150$$ but i inlcude all parts!! so really its about 150 for install, 120 for gears, and 100 for rear end rebuild kit!! so about 400 bucks pretty close!!!

 

Speed Inc quoted me $225 with the rear in the car and $200 with the rear out of the car for the install only. They have Motive gears with a master install kit for $274.99, bringing the total to $500, with the rear in the car.

I think that's a pretty good deal, although I know of a place that will install them for $150.

$400 installed sounds too cheap.

 

wow, okay, maybe it isn't that strange. I'm looking at the thunderracing install kit right now (just for reference!), which includes...Deluxe Kit: pinion shims, carrier shims, crush sleeve, pinion seal, pinion nut, ring gear bolts, cover gasket, pinion & carrier bearings, PLUS wheel bearings and seals. Is the deluxe kit necessary or will the cheaper kit be fine? (Basic Kit: Includes pinion shims, crush sleeve, pinion seal & cover gasket) also, should I get a rearend cover installed while I'm at it? my car has 50000 miles on it, 10 passes at the track, and my future mods will be gears, tc, and sticky tires, so no real power mods.

 

just go all out with the 1st kit!! thats what im getting!

 

After I had did some looking around, I found that thunder racing offered the best package, i have a 2.73 gear in my car now and this weekend, i'll be putting in a strange 3.42.
I went with the complete kit, I don't think you need the delux kit, unless your rear end is in bad shape.
the complete kit comes with the gear, pinion, t/a cover with fill &
drain plugs,bearings,shims,sleeves.all the fluids
and at the price of 399.00 I think its a good buy.
zoso

 

The team that did "one lap America" in a '95 TA, tested the gears 2.73 till 4.10 and they concluded that 3.42's gave the best overall performance.

I had talked to tech rep at thunder racing and they had told me that staying with the 2 series carrier is fine, your not giving anything on quality or strength from the gear.
you just don't have as many options to choose from with other
gear sizes.

I also don't plan on getting radical with my engine, I'm happy with what she puts out, just wnated a little more zip off the line.
hope all this helps...................................
zoso

 

thx for the responses! anyone else have opinions on the wheel bearings and seals? I'd like my rearend to last, but if the additional parts from the "complete" to "deluxe" kit are more of a placebo thing, maybe I'll just skip them!

 

ttt

 

I am keeping an eye on this post. One of the reasons I will get the 3.42s is because the LT1 engine is not a revving beast but a Torque Munster, I feel there is such thing as too much gear even with the Long Tubes and better breathing Heads and Cam Combos. I speak for myself since I will keep her as a street machine only.

Technically what I want is a more nimble feeling... Almost tosable if you ask me. Right now my stock suspension feels more like a Big turkey on steroids. Fast but Heavy.


When I used the gear calculator and saw how fast it turns in 1st gear for the speed achieved its almost like I would just start from 2nd gear if I could.... There is a Rustang guy who lives around my block who has one of those steep gears... the friggin thing is turning like at 3k rpms and going about 10MPH before he shifts into 2nd (manual). I would hate to do that to my baby, to me thats just downright ridiculous for the street.


Keep this post alive. Good info comming out of it...


Thanks

 

I logically concluded the 3.42's would probably be the best all around performance for the street. It sure feels good to see a post that agrees with me.... or me agrees with them? Blah ya know what I mean..


Marvin

 

Yes 3.42's are the way to go if you do any highway driving.
3.73 is definately more fun for acceleration in all gears but revs too high over 65-70 mph.
Too bad a 3.55 gear isn't readily available.
I was going to go back to the 3.42's until I decided to go with the gearvendors .78 overdrive. (3.73 becomes 2.91)
Now I have the best of both.

 

just one more thing I need answered! anyone else have opinions on the wheel bearings and seals? I'd like my rearend to last, but if the additional parts from the "complete" to "deluxe" kit are more of a placebo thing, maybe I'll just skip them!

 

I was going to go back to the 3.42's until I decided to go with the gearvendors .78 overdrive. (3.73 becomes 2.91)
Now I have the best of both. [/B][/QUOTE]

where did you hear about this overdrive gear?
i take this only works in od & not regular drive? so in od your cruising like a highway gear and in regular drive your using your
3.73?

 

anyone have the answer to my question?