Formula_LS1

iTrader: (16)

I'll be picking up another 10 bolt soon to upgrade from my 2.73's and I'm on the fence between 3.23's and 3.42's. Just wondering how much worse the gas mileage is with the 3.42's in an A4, compared to 2.73's, and if it was a noticeable difference in performance. Thanks for the help.

underpressureWs6

iTrader: (17)

i had 3:42's in my ten bolt, it definitly felt better than 3:23's nothing i can notice in gas mileage difference

bene

iTrader: (16)

I'm using that set for about two years now. I was getting 27mpg w/ 273s now 25 mpg w 342s on the highway.

rusty2198

what's 2 miles to the gallon when you will be smiling ear to ear. Also if you do alot of in town driving you will actually get better fuel economy with the 3.42's no more engine struggle from red light to red light. Add a stall converter and the smile will get bigger and is a blast to drive but make sure you get a lockup model or your smile will turn upside down on the highway. Dude don't even consider the 3.23's get the 3.42's or better yet get 3.73's

Strahley

iTrader: (4)

+1 for 3.73s

Silver_TransAm

iTrader: (2)

Running 3.42's. But i think i need 3.23s for my turbo setup and 4l80.

rusty2198

go with 3.23's on turbo. my buddies mustang 331 single turbo ran faster et's with 3.20's than when he had 3.73's that was on a c4 trans.

Silver_TransAm

iTrader: (2)

I'll change them when my 10bolt dies. Thanks for the advice.

02 BLK WS6

iTrader: (11)

3.42's here

jetlag

iTrader: (32)

3.50s

koolaid_kid

iTrader: (21)

I dropped about 2 mpg when I went from a 2.73 to a 3.42. But it made the car a lot more fun to drive, and well worth it IMHO.
And Goodyear likes it too, since I leave a lot more of their product on the roads now.

Sunset'01Z

iTrader: (10)

keep your 2.73s and get a stall. best of both worlds.

if i did it again that's exactly what i would do.

KadinZ

you wont notice the performance difference, and i wouldn't change the rear-end out unless theres something wrong with the one in there. get a converter, it will make a difference you can feel.

edit: yeah, i had 2.73's and broke my rear-end so i bought a used one from a manual that has 3.42's, the gas mileage has changed slightly like 1mpg or so but isnt that bad.. the big annoyance is on long trips my odometer lies to me!!!!!

shtnfrds

iTrader: (1)

if your buying new gears, just do 3.73's. if you got a great deal on used 3.42's, go that route. but id definatly vote 3.73

rel3rd

iTrader: (43)

Can't help you out on any mileage comparisons since mine had 323's stock, but I love my 342's. I actually tried 410's and my small cammed, 3600 stalled, 3755# car ran almost EXACTLY the same 60 foots, exact same ETs, and exact same MPHs as it did with (and actually an ever so slight edge to) the 342's, so back in they went.

BTW, only reason I went from 323's to 342's a nearly two years ago was because stock 323 rear was noisy when I bought the car and it was more cost effective to find another complete rear and swap it in.

On a side note, a buddy with a very similar setup as mine, but with 273's, just went 11.80's at 116, while mine has only been a best of 11.61 @ 116...so, 273's and a good converter really aren't all that hateful IMHO....

Vogos97c5

iTrader: (6)

I had the 2.73's in my 98 Z28, and then did a full rearend swap to the 3.42's. Honestly I liked the feel of the 2.73's better. I could tell a difference between the two performance wise. I had to feather the throttle a lot more on the street with the 3.42's, hooking was definitely a problem. My gas mileage dropped about 2mpg, I was still getting high 20's. I just liked the sweet spots and the cruising rpm's better with the 2.73's. Now I have the 3.23's in my 99Z, and I think it is a nice mix of the two. I don't have a stall yet but I'm sure the car will be pretty sick with a 3800rpm stall in it. I have a 3.42 rearend ready for a swap, but I'm gonna take it to the track with the 3.23's first and see how I like it. If anything I might just say screw it and throw 3.73's in the other rearend and have a tire melting machine...

99_Z28

iTrader: (3)

Went to 3.42 from 3.23 didnt notice much of a difference....but from 2.73 I sure you will.

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

I didnt mind the 3.42's when I had my 12 bolt in there. The 383 LT1, really needed a 3.73 though.