GregWS6&z28

iTrader: (8)

I'm in a situation where i need to make some decisions. I have a 3.42 rear set and all to install into my Z28 but once it's installed i'll have $450-$500 invested including installation. I currently have 2.73's and the 3.42's will be a nice bump on the street but my plans are to go with a 3500 converter sometime soon. I'm worried about traction because i cant afford drag rims and tires, and i need to buy some new street tires as it is. Should i keep my 2.73's and just get the 3500/2.5 TCI that I want, or go ahead and do the gears and just get the TC later on? I'm currently running 12.9 with the granny gears and they arent all that bad since I do a nice bit of interstate driving. gas mileage still is my friend. If i sold this gear setup now that will cover half of my stall. Got any informed opinions? my car is a daily driver, and i race it often but fastest 1/4 time isnt necessarily my goal, I still want a deadly street machine. Thanks

shortdog

iTrader: (1)

Well, a converter is almost useless without a tire. Throw in the gears, then get some DRs. Save up a few more hundred dollars for a converter. I have nittos w/tci 3500 stall and they were both around $800 total.

GregWS6&z28

iTrader: (8)

well it still wont be the biggest gain, but it should be a nice improvement for me. right now i have no traction issues with the 2.73's, and the converter will add to the overall fun to drive factor. it's a gamble with the 3.42's being that there's the possibility they could break, and i'm down to square one again. (The rear is a Auburn unit from a 96 with 63K miles)

shortdog

iTrader: (1)

Converter + street tires = LOTS of wheel spin, even when feathering it off the line.

tbs98z

iTrader: (1)

I'm running 3.42s w/Yank SS 3600 stall.Driveability still great and running street tires w/little or no traction issues.Will do a healthy when you want to,it's definately fun to drive

GregWS6&z28

iTrader: (8)

well TCI's converters have a higher STR, so my launches would be harder, another reason for keeping the 2.73's

what kinda 60'times with the 3.42's and 3600? always run street tires?

GregWS6&z28

iTrader: (8)

another option is go with the gears, and save more money for a yank or Vig converter than has a little lower STR...... I definitely dont wanna go lower than 3500, but price of the converter is a big issue

2MuchRiceMakesMeSick

No way get the converter if your looking for big gains. Gears wont give you NEAR as much as a converter will.

GregWS6&z28

iTrader: (8)

so keeping the 2.73's and getting a 3500/2.5 should be a good setup to go with?

SmokingWS6

iTrader: (1)

I have gotten a 12.9 on street tires with my converter. But that was feathering it heavly off the line. On the street anything below 30mph is usually tire spin unless I have nittos on. I have 3.42's and a vig3200. edit: go with the converter, Save the gear change for when your rear end will go out. Sooner or later it will, mine did before I even had my converter. 2.73's and a converter can be higly potent but still efficient on the street. However the lower the gears the looser it'll feel.

GregWS6&z28

iTrader: (8)

yea, theres just the reliability issue with gears, and gas mileage. Sorry I seem so weary, but this will be my biggest performance mod moneywise. I guess that I'm talking myself into the converter. this is stressful!

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

i just had my converter restalled when it was in for repair and my rear was blown so i had 3.73s put in along with a trans go.

car feels great.less pedal is needed to get moving moderately.


even if you dont have DRs with a TC you can feel the difference from a roll and it makes your car so much more fun to drive.


converter with DRs is the way to go then get gears later.itll break anyway.bet on it.

tbs98z

iTrader: (1)

My Yank has the same str as you are talking about.Mine was a daily driver until a few months ago and I had no problems

My latest 60' on street tires/full street trim 1.76

jay_99z

iTrader: (5)

Converter and save up for the tires if you aren't having traction problems yet. I went Nitto's first because I was having traction issues. You can go plenty fast w/2.73's(some don't like to believe it).

And if you are looking to go with 3.42's my advise is buy a used one from a M6 guy. Cheaper than gears+install.....and you will have a spare too. I'm glad I had one when I broke.

GregWS6&z28

iTrader: (8)

thanks for the help guys. i got a ticket for a red light tonight so that was a sign that I need that money now. I'm gonna sell my rear and plan on the TC.

sleeperstyle

iTrader: (4)

looks at sig...

i have some 3.42's waiting to go in, but i KNOW traction is going to become a major issue. if im not careful i burn my nittos off like crazy right now- even with a 10 second burnout to heat them up. it is your choice, but a converter makes for a pretty hairy ride without tires. if i run my stockers (which i put back on sometimes for fun= goodyears) it is sideways till like 60mph and i don't have much done...

GregWS6&z28

iTrader: (8)

yea i hope to see 12.4-12.5 with a converter, the gears with a converter would probably net me 12.5, being traction limited. 12.7 in the 1/4 with just the 3.42's i'd assume. I'll take the biggest gain now. I've posted my stuff in the for sale section if anyone wants it

franny40

i have the ssf 3500 and 2.73 setup. that was the best thing i did to my car, it made it fun again to drive. traction will be an issue even with 2.73 gears. i was thinking of putting on 3.42's but i will wait on that for a while, this is also my commuter car and the 2.73's are good for freeway driving. i bought some nitto dr's and i can spin the **** out of them, this converter hits hard.

2MuchRiceMakesMeSick

Naaa, Its not that bad once you learn how to drive.

koolrayz

iTrader: (26)

I had the 2.73 and the SSF 3500. I highly recomend the converter mod.
And don't forget the stop at the redlight to save money mod