Well after being at the track for the past few years, meeting up with fellow f-bods at gatherings, I finally caved in and had the grandpa 2.73s changed for 3.42s. I haven't had a chance to really try them out as it has been raining and the roads are wet, but I have noticed that the rear seems to be "pushing" me down the road instead of just driving down the road. Hard to explain. But I did give a bit of gas and was taken back to hear the wheels chirp going into second... and it's an 4L60E tranny!!! Anyways, much to my dismay, I quickly learn and confirmed with a bud driving beside me, that the speedometer is way off now. I have to do "55" on the guage in order to be doing the 45mph speed limit. I have looked into how to correct this and hence my question;

What is better, to edit the PCM or to install an electronic ratio adapter (ERA)?

I'm told that PCMforless.com is the place that would do the edit needed. The ERAs are in the neighborhood of $150, but I'm a little nervous of cutting wires and adding another gizmo to break on the car. But then again, I don't know how reliable they are and maybe this shouldn't be a concern. So I appreciate any and all feedback...

thanks,
ron

 

With a 97 it'll cost you a pretty penny to be able to tune your own car. I've heard good things about PCMforless and also Madwolf.

Also, I don't recommend driving that car much at all until you get the tuning done. With the A4, the MPH inputs into the tranny tables and your car isn't going to shift properly until you account for the gear change.

 

Brent,

Been a few years. First time I "talked" to you, you coached me through a window switch replacement. Then I got involved with the CAI's, TB work and gear changes. Oh gawd where did I go wrong?

I checked into Madwolf. I see that quite a few CamaroZ28.com memebers have done business with him. Certainly gives me the warm and fuzzy to deal with him also.

I hear ya on not driving the car until I get this fixed. I was hustling down a back road to catch up with a bud probably hitting about 80 ( ) only to see the speedo going over 100 . Nope that's not cool at all, so the 97TA will just have to chill out on Zaino until I this is fixed.

thanks,
ron

 

you can do it yourself with hypertec. along with changing the fan temp. and a few other things. it is about $350. though.

 

Yeah... but...

The wife is a bit peeved with the $1000 I just spent for the gears, series 3 carrier, installation kit and a aluminium diff cover, plus the labor cost for the change, plus the SLP subframe connectors and install, and then the surprise right rear axle replacement as it was discovered to be pitted during the gear swap. She told me if I hadn't did all the work in the past year of finishing the basement, putting Pergo wood floors throughout the first floor, new vanity install, wainscotting and baseboard work, I would be Bobbit2. So at this last stage of the game I have to watch my dollars. I'm looking for a used hypertech 30027, or an ERA, or having the PCM edit for around $150. I think I might be able to get away with that cost and still be able to sleep at night without having to hold my "buddies" all night in fear of The Knife.

--ron

 

aren't wives great?

 

Yeah... she bought me the 97TA in Nov of '96 I think she's really mad at me because this latest venture of mine is going to put a crimp in her clothes buying for a bit....

anyways....

I decided to get the PCM correct. I got in contact with Madwolf and he will be shipping me another PCM on Monday. So hopefully later next week I can get the car out and see what the gear changes have done.
--ron