Just went from 2.73's to 3.42's
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Just went from 2.73's to 3.42's
I figured I would share my experience since there are so many questions about gear swaps.
The way I went about is probably not the cheapest, but I was told by Exotic Performance Plus that it is one of the quietest 10 bolts they have ever heard.
I bought a used set of 3.42's from someone with an '02 SS for $50. They had about 8,000 miles on them and were in good condition. I actually found out later that this can be bad because the gears are already worn from the previous rear and it's hard to get them to be shimmed right in another rear. I then bought a truetrac 3 series differential for about $380.
The car drives just as smooth as stock and there is no noise from the rear whatsoever. I am very happy with the gear swap/install.
The reason I went with 3.42's instead of 3.73's is because I wanted the car to be a little more highway friendly but I think the 3.73's would have been just fine. Right now at 60MPH I'm right around 2000 RPM's. If I had to do it again it would be a lot harder to choose between the 3.42’s and 3.73’s now that I know how tame the 3.42’s are.
I hope this helps some of you guys out.
The way I went about is probably not the cheapest, but I was told by Exotic Performance Plus that it is one of the quietest 10 bolts they have ever heard.
I bought a used set of 3.42's from someone with an '02 SS for $50. They had about 8,000 miles on them and were in good condition. I actually found out later that this can be bad because the gears are already worn from the previous rear and it's hard to get them to be shimmed right in another rear. I then bought a truetrac 3 series differential for about $380.
The car drives just as smooth as stock and there is no noise from the rear whatsoever. I am very happy with the gear swap/install.
The reason I went with 3.42's instead of 3.73's is because I wanted the car to be a little more highway friendly but I think the 3.73's would have been just fine. Right now at 60MPH I'm right around 2000 RPM's. If I had to do it again it would be a lot harder to choose between the 3.42’s and 3.73’s now that I know how tame the 3.42’s are.
I hope this helps some of you guys out.
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I went from a 2.73 to a 3.42 myself. Picked it up a lot. I bought a new Auburn diff. for $200 last week and will be rebuilding it here soon. I'll be staying with the 3.42 gear because I drive the highway a good bit.
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#8
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I just changed the gears and differential, not the whole axle.
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Yes, the car is more fun to drive. It really helped take a lot of the looseness away from the 3200 converter I have in it. It just feels better to drive. However I now wonder what 3.73's are like and if I should have went with them.
I just changed the gears and differential, not the whole axle.
I just changed the gears and differential, not the whole axle.
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Did same swap to used gm 3.42 but bought the whole carrier for like 150 bucks.
Big improvement over the 2.73s. And while it is maybe tempting to go to 3.73 the factory gears are so nice and quiet not really willing to gamble. Had nightmares in my 99 ta with 4.10 motives and then 3.73 richmonds.
My 2800 vig stall helps out the 3.42 even more they make a nice package together.
Going a bit crazier on my 99 ta..3.54 gears with 3400 stall.
Big improvement over the 2.73s. And while it is maybe tempting to go to 3.73 the factory gears are so nice and quiet not really willing to gamble. Had nightmares in my 99 ta with 4.10 motives and then 3.73 richmonds.
My 2800 vig stall helps out the 3.42 even more they make a nice package together.
Going a bit crazier on my 99 ta..3.54 gears with 3400 stall.