Without a DOUBT, the single best modification anyone could do to their A4 is an aftermarket torque converter. As long as you go with the proper stall size, you'd simply be amazed at how well it will make your automatic perform (especially from a dead stop). For instance, a Vigilante 2800 (actually stalls at about 3200) paired with some Nitto DR's will drop you a good solid 5 tenths in the 1/4. This is not an estimation, it is a fact. I've had one before and I've seen it waaaaay too many times with my own eyes from people who've run em' at the track.

3.73's are alright, but the right higher stall torque converter will do a lot more for your car. Just ask all those who are serious about racing. Only add the gears afterwards if you're looking for another tenth or two and want to really max out your set-up...

Mike

 

ether way u go it hurts drivability or gas mileage. The gears really hurt gas gas mileage. Amd too high of a stall really sucks around town. It all comes down too what u want the car to do. If u want it to go fast and nothing else do a com gear and stall then hit the track. just my 2 cents

 

update on my part too, my 60' at the track with 245 sumitomo HTRZ's was 2.1-2.2 range. not good but not really bad on street tires. My ET dropped .4 while mph went up slightly. that was with only an SLP CAI and 3.73s. my car went from 17 mpg average to 17 mpg (yes theyre the same) and I put alot of miles on the car highway, backroads, and stop and go. my parents drove the car 800 miles to drop it off to me and it averaged about 21 mpg.
there isnt much of a mileage drop with 2.73-3.73.
I also do not have an aftermarket torque converter but I will have one soon
do both!

 

I only dropped 1mpg going from 2.73 - 3.73.

If I had to do it all over again, and I had 3.23's like you, I'd go with a 2800 Vigilante, or a 3200 TCI SSF.

 

Flash forward to now: Mods in sig, basically Hooker LT's, LPE CAI, and GMMG. A tune is the least of my concern unlike before, I can administer one with my PC, no problem. Now I have a nice amount of power. I do mostly street racing, shhh

Where should I go next? Stall? Gears? (Traction lately isnt great anyways) Perhaps somewhere else like Suspension (SFC Sways and LCA's?) or Wheels/Tires next? N2O has crossed my mind a few times also. This has become more than just a Stall or Gear debate, now its basically where to go in general. Thanks gentlemen.

-Dustin-

 

Without a DOUBT, the single best modification anyone could do to their A4 is an aftermarket torque converter. As long as you go with the proper stall size, you'd simply be amazed at how well it will make your automatic perform (especially from a dead stop). For instance, a Vigilante 2800 (actually stalls at about 3200) paired with some Nitto DR's will drop you a good solid 5 tenths in the 1/4. This is not an estimation, it is a fact. I've had one before and I've seen it waaaaay too many times with my own eyes from people who've run em' at the track.

3.73's are alright, but the right higher stall torque converter will do a lot more for your car. Just ask all those who are serious about racing. Only add the gears afterwards if you're looking for another tenth or two and want to really max out your set-up...

Mike


I Agree with this post.

 

A few questions...

First I have read on mustang forums that different gears in the same car would cause one to out accelerate another because of the TQ gain. Is this true for our cars or is it true at all? I mean if I had an exact replica of my car with 3.73's and mine with 3.23's and we raced from a roll, the replica would pull away because of the 3.73's?

Also what do TQ converters do for you from a roll? Are they only beneficial if used from a stop or low RPM's? I know many gain like 5 tenths from a good TQ converter since it allows for a hard torquey launch. But does it still multiply the TQ after you get off the line, and if so to what point?

I do most of my fun from a roll, and only hit the track maybe once a year. So it seems to me that gears would be beneficial. Also I would think that I should wait until I get a H/C package before picking a stall since the cam power range should be matched well with the stall RPM. So perhaps until I get a LE H/C package or something I should just go with gears this spring. Of course this spring I'll have some 17's with good street rubber too.

If I did go for the stall which would be the best for a 3.23 geared street bolt on car? I cant afford a Vigilante, but a SLP 2400/2800 or midwest might be in my budget. I just dont want to have to get another stall when I get a H/C package in the future.

Also, if my car had a 2800 stall and 3.23s and the same car has stock stall and 3.73's From a stop the stalled car would beat down the 3.73 car right? But from a roll the 3.73 car would pull, correct?

The one thing is I like the stall for when I have to race AWD ricers from a dig

Thanks fella's.

-Dustin-

 

Still havent found my answer after some searching.

-Dustin-

 

I would wait til you get the heads/cam package and see what your power band is, then pick a stall that will match and keep you in your power band the most. Go for the gears and drag radials or suspension.

 

Hey man! I have been seein ya alot on here, your only like a half hour or so away i think so I will be watchin for ya when im down that way I have been searchin for answers of the questions you just asked for the last 6 months while i have been workin on my car. I can tell you what I found. I had a 95 Z with the 3.23 gears. I can definately say 3.73's will jump out in front of it no problem. I love my 3.73's. Its a huge difference. All my races are usually from a dig or 35mph roll up to about 100-120 or so. So the 3.73's are good for me. If you go faster than that I would go with the 3.42's. the 3.73's are pretty big and actually i think I am going to have to get my driveshaft balanced now cuz its vibrating a little when i get up there around 100+. But after i get rid of the vibration I might be saying stay with the 3.73's all the way too cuz even though it's top speed is not as high as a smaller gear you will get to it faster.
Now with the converter I had a TCI Streetfighter 3000 put in and with all my mods its actually at 3800 which is perfect i think. It drives just like a normal car. The only differance i see is on the freeway when it shifts into second its already at 3800-4k and same with 3rd gear. To answer your ? the 3.23's with TC i think would be about the same off the line as the 3.73's but as you hit 2nd and 3rd the TC car should pull ahead each time. That just means you need the TC and 3.73's though!! Hope i helped you more than confused you, hehe. I have that problem sometimes

 

Cool man thanks. I'll watch for you too, but I'll be watching from the tailight end since you've got me murdered with that H/C combo. Speaking of which, how did the LE2 treat your car. Did you run it with the stock stall or gears at first? I am thinking of the LE1 since mines a daily driver and I can stick with stock drivetrain. But before anymore performance mods go on, I need some better hooking tires. I am probably going to go with 5 or 10 spoke SS wheels and those Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's Then after I get the LE package figure out what kind of stall/gear combo I need. Thanks for the responses fella's.

-Dustin-

 

I'm not going to read all the posts, and give you my answer, put a good convertor in it. If nessicary, I will go into more detail. i.e. most Ls1 cars drop 1/2 second from a good convertor, and I would imagine a LT1 would be close.

 

Breakdown of the posts for you: I will probably wait until I do H/C package so I can pick a converter stall speed right for my cam's power band. Thanks for the input, a know of a few LT1's who lost .6-.7 from just a converter swap.

-Dustin-

 

Issue has arose again. Still wondering on these questions. Moved up to 17x9 wheels and 275/40/17 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's. Higher stall seems like a great way to lose .5 in the 1/4 but wont it murder my traction? I can get some 3.73's on a trade. Also looking at a Yank 2800 for $300. Just looking for a bit more info before making a decision. Thanks.

-Dustin-