I have a 94 z28 convertible A4 with 2.73 gears. First off, it has a stock rearend...is this the 2-series 7.5" 10-bolt carrier? I read in another post that I can keep the stock rearend as long as the aftermarket gears are specifically made for my carrier type, correct? Also, will there be any danger of running 3.73 gears as a daily driver, or would 3.42 be any more reliable? I don't want anything else breaking prematurely! A local shop quoted me $1400 for everything plus installation. This quote seems very high according to what others are telling me. I'm thinking of just ordering a "complete kit" off the internet (for around $500) and getting somewhere else to install it. Do I need anything besides the kit, and what should I be paying for the parts and installation separately? Thanks.

 

You can get 3.73 gears for your rear and as long as you get someone reliable to put it in you will be fine. A 3.42 isn't going to be any more reliable then the 3.73 if you have an idiot put it in. You will be wasting more fuel with 3.73s but I think it is a good gear for us A4 guys. You will also need to change your gear ratio in your computer.

$1400 sounds a bit high. If you plan on paying that much I would wait and save another $800 and put in a Moser 12-bolt. Very easy to install yourself. If you were to buy a ring gear and pinion kit I would assume this would be around $350 for a decent kit. Make sure you get a kit and not just the ring gear and pinion, there is more that is needed for installation. I would also assume a shop could install this for you for $250-$300 tops.

 

I got my 3.73s installed at DTS (Drive Train Specialists) in Warren, MI for 225+ synthetics.

Gears do not whine at all.

 

I just got a Richmond 3.73 to replace my 2.73 in a A4 car. I love the gear on the street. It made absolutely no difference to my mixed highway/city mileage. It stayed right at 15.3 mpg. I drag race and the gear will force me to run a 27" tire if I start running any faster. I have trouble hooking now, too. I would have been better off with 3.42 at the dragstrip I think. As far as price I saw similar (500.00+) packages for Moser or Srange gears. The guy I had do the job laughed at me for wanting expensive name brand and then charged me 620.00 for the same parts from Richmond. (I know I should have gotten a written quote). I checked on the internet and that is about the going rate for the Richmond gear and install kit. I think they charged me 340.00 labor which is on the high side. Labor should be 260.00 to 360.00. The gear does make a little more noise then factory gear. Installer was concerned but Richmond told them F-body is like that because of torque arm.

 

I checked the pricing I had. This is from Richmond. Gear was 200.00. Install bushings and shim kit was 120.00. I bought a TA cover from Thunder Racing for 155.00 and bolt set for 25.00. I did pay 340.00 labor for the gear install. My 620.00 in previous message included brake pads and a couple of other things.

 

if youll look on the net for some instructions its not that hard to install your own gears. its definantly not 320.00 bucks hard. give it a shot. if you cant do it,then take it to somebody and pay the labor.

 

I paid 800 for a eaton posi,3.42, and all labor.