TopendLt1

I have GU2 ( 2.73's )


I Iike the 3.42.
From what I hear, guys still get good gas milage and excellent performance.

I dont want to hear about 3.73's or 4.10's, My Z is my DD and I need it for college.

What do you guys think? Will it really increase my 1/4 mile time?
Are they worth it?

TopendLt1

Ok. Im thinking SLP 3.42's ( not sure if they make a 2 Series Carrier Though? )

Are 3.42 noisy?
And most importantly, I will they change my' Top End '

hehe hence my stupid name

TopendLt1

thx for the help

orion565

iTrader: (4)

I got 3.42 from 2.73, I love em, I am glad I didn't go higher. I have no noise but I got 3.42 from a manual 10 bolt, and had to change the carrier too, but you should be able to get both cheap. I got mine used from a salvage yard from a wrecked Camaro. I would try and get a gm gear set before going aftermarket to avoid the whine.

taintedmeat

iTrader: (1)

I went from 2.73 to 3.73 gears, didn't hurt my mileage all that much. Maybe a couple less on the highway, not really all that bad.

TopendLt1

Ok back up here...

I have a 2 series carrier ( this im sure of )

If I buy a nice installation kit...Complete Kit: Includes pinion shims, carrier shims, crush sleeve, pinion seal, pinion nut, ring gear bolts, cover gasket, and pinion & carrier bearings for 94 bucks,

Do I still need to replace my" carrier ?

I can buy 2 series carrier gears.

Are you saying, you switched from a 2 Series to a 3 series, or that the carrier was just worn out?

orion565

iTrader: (4)

i went from a series 2 to 3, all and all I spent 200 for the carier and gears, it was used but looked brand new, and haven't had any noise or problems since installed about 6 months ago. You can buy gears to fit a series 2 but then you would have to get aftermarket gears. I have just heard too many stories about aftermarket gears, so I stayed clear.

As far as notable differences, I can't really say because I did the converter at the same time. But I can say that both of those together were the best thing I did to my car, yet.

Josh2006

iTrader: (2)

hey
contact this guy, Scott@DrivelineSolutions, i also have a 2 carrier and i ordered my 3.73's from him in a 2 carrier i am pretty sure you can get some 3.42's from him in a 2 carrier they were 169.50 + shipping

-Josh

Scott@DrivelineSolutions

iTrader: (22)

Thank you for the referance Josh, let me know when you recieve your gear.

infinitebird

iTrader: (11)

Yes you can get gears for a 2 series carrier, they are a bit thicker than normal ones. Or you can get normal ones and also swap the carrier to a 3 series.

I'm about to do the same thing (2.73 to 3.42) on my car.

OctaneZ28

iTrader: (6)

I just made the switch from 2.73s to 3.42s, very happy I did so.
I got a stock 10-bolt from a M6 car, and swapped the whole rear end out.
Great performance gain, haven't really had a chance to check gas mileage difference yet, but it appears to have not been affected much.

You can get what are called "thick" gears, which are 3-series gears for 2-series carriers. There are also spacers made to fit a 3-series gear on a 2-series carrier, but whatever you do, DO NOT , I repeat, DO NOT run a spacer.

You'll be very happy when you switch to 3.42s.

TopendLt1

How did your power change, from 1500 ro 3000 rpms for DD?
I love the effortless grunt of my LT1, will this make it better, or worse, or not at all?

When you baby it, to moderate throttle, to heavy, to WOT.

And did your topend change?
I know you will reach the top speed faster, but will I lose some ticks on top?

OctaneZ28

iTrader: (6)

As far as daily driving, it's better cuz the car gets out of the hole better now.

Yes, top end speed will be less, but nothing to worry about.

Fast Eddie's 02 T/A vert.

I went from 2.73 to 3.42 with the series 2 carrier. It's a good swap ,however the thick gear is noisey as hell and I got tired of it so I had the carrier changed to a series 3 with some 3.73s and its quiet as hell, faster too.

Good luck. Series 2 w/ thick gear = whinning gear!!

1LoudTA

iTrader: (11)

theres no way you can top out your fourth gear with 2.73s in that car, no way in hell.. if anything you should top out higher now, if you have the tranny setup to shift into 4th under WOT...

TopendLt1

What must be done to change to a 3 Series carrier?

orion565

iTrader: (4)

buy a series 3 carrier, it is just the part that the gear goes on.

Here is a link with pictures that details my gear install, hope this helps

https://ls1tech.com/forums/gears-axles/349851-gear-install-pics.html

gillbot

iTrader: (27)

I just bought a rear from an M6 guy that had busted gears but the axles, posi/carrier were still good. I got a set of used 3.42's for $50 and had the rear rebuilt with the 3.42's. My total cost was under $350 for a basically new 10 bolt and I still have my 2.73 rear in case this one breaks.

Wild Willy

I am trying to do this same thing- My '01 Z came with 2.73's - WTF! I can't imagine GM building a 'performace' package like this. I have the chance to pick up a super low-miles axle, cheap, from a wrecked '02 Z28 that my buddy bought for the drivetrain. M6, 3.42's- trouble is, that Z has traction control with the 4-channel ABS, and mine doesn't. He tells me that I won't get the pinion reluctor that I need to make this work in my car- Anybody know if this is true? I THOUGHT my car already had the 4-channel ABS, so I'm not clear of the dirrenernce between traction control or not-

My first mod, I hope- THANKS!

Wild *****

Jordan S.

iTrader: (17)

I put 3.73's in my DD, thats pretty much all I have besides a tune and I take down full bolt on cars all the time. I havent had a ticket since i got them. I've had 3.23's, 3.42's, and 3.73's all daily driven and I will go with 3.73 again. There's not much of a difference between 3.42 and 3.73.