Crash7557

I have a 1998 camaro Z28 with standard bolt-ons A4 on a 3.23 rear-end ratio. Is it worth it to swap for a 3.42 ratio like the SS? i dont want to Kill my milage by revving crazy on the highway with 3.73's. Is it a noticable SOTP upgrade?

vjo90rs8

iTrader: (9)

SS's came with the exact same 3.23 rear end ratio if it had an automatic. 6-speed cars got the 3.42 rear end ratio because of the transmissions lower ratio first gear. I wouldn't waste the money going from 3.23 to 3.42 unless you were already going to have some rear end work done and you picked up a set of used 3.42s for a good price, then it would almost be a free upgrade.

Crash7557

well i found a guy selling a 3.42 ring and pinion out of a 2002 SS with only 23K on them for $60 shipped. have to soon go to get the rear end flushed and serviced bc the thing makes a noise when turning tight (106K miles on the car). would i notice a difference thats even worth it IYO?

therealcreeper

iTrader: (37)

usually you can find used stock gears for even less than that, you're probably looking at a new posi depending what kinds of noise it's making when turning, and after labor and install kit/bearings, etc you'll be in that rear way more than it's worth

look around for a complete rear out of a 6 speed car, it'll probably come out to about half the cost of repairing yours

Crash7557

the sound is like a groan noise. almost like the sound a rusty hinge on a door makes when its not oiled. my buddy had the same sound and he replaced the fluid and additive and it stopped. the posi is in good condition (no one wheel wonders or weird sounds/noise of any kind)

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

I have done this swap and this was before I better understood performance and modding. I went from a 3.23 10 bolt to a 3.42 12 bolt and virtually no difference. Especially when you factor in the parasitic/rotational weight increase.

2000 TAWS6

iTrader: (1)

Other than staring at the tach, you'll never know the difference.

Jon

therealcreeper

iTrader: (37)

oh okay, if it's just low on fluid or additive it may be a cheap fix. I don't think it's worth it to install 3.42's if nothing else is coming out to be replaced anyway. I'd just leave it alone.

I went from 3.23's to 3.73's in my 6 speed car (auto to manual swap) and definitely noticed a good difference in first and releasing the clutch but overall not an enormous difference, I would say if I only gained half of what I did I barely would have noticed it

ssdeuce74

iTrader: (2)

if it still spins both tires under load get some 3.73's and slap them in, you will feel a difference but you won't notice much loss in mileage, then when it breaks your not out much and you'll know if the gears will be good for the 12 bolt. it's a bit to much gear just put a 28in tire on the back.

skopers3

iTrader: (3)

I jsut swapped 3.23s for 3.73s in my auto and for what the gears plus intall ended up costing I wish I'd have spent the money on something else IMO. I can't tell much of a difference, but no track times yet.

Crash7557

thanks fellas. thats exactly what i needed to know. now i can NOT waist my money lmfao

rabbit320

iTrader: (11)

i did this swap in my v6 firebird and i DID notice a difference, with simple intake and exhaust done. definitely in acceleration around 1500-3000 rpm, it did make it more fun, but i only did it because i was rebuilding the rear anyway, all bearings etc.

1Bad97WS-6

iTrader: (3)

Going from 323s to 342s you won't tell a different.. I heard if you have the 273s goingto 342s/373s you can tell a differences.

Crash7557

yea thats what the V6 firebird must have done (2.73 to 3.42). thats a big jump for a v6 car. i mean in my case traction is my real limiter. i deff need new tires bc it spins if i nail it and the tires are not staged/heated so i dont imagine 3.42's or higher would even benefit me bc of slippage. maybe if i actually took it to a racetrack and compared times i'd see a difference but Interstate 495 isnt a racetrack and i really dont care hahaha. nothing a little more hp cant fix. deff need a set of weekend tires for the rears

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

Changing the gearing in a car whether it be in the transmission or final drive (rear end gearing) you or effecting the Torque Multiplication of the car. The increased gearing ends the time in that gear sooner but the power becomes more useable and also helps with the 60 foot a great deal.

Until recently the biggest limiting factor was how many forward gears can a transmission have and if properly set up, a car can become very fast and consistant at the same time.

If someone where to hammer out the math, you would see a increase in TQ but overall it wont be a signifigant enough of a change to make a justification of the cost/time.

pianoplayingbum

I have a 2002 v6 Camaro with a bad differential. That said, it's either replace everything new $$$ or get a rear end assembly installed from a salvage yard. Anyway, I called around for assemblies and one place said that he could install a z28 rear end assembly on my car. Are the gear ratios compatible, or would that be a bad choice? Also any advice on what to look for when inspecting the assembly would be much appreciated! Thanks!

ssdeuce74

iTrader: (2)

have to check what gears it has just cause its a z28 don't mean much, but as long as it has more gear than the old one go for it and if it's limited slip even better.