pat-ls101

Im going to be changing out my gears soon. I have 2.73 gears and I run a 12.3 @ 110 - 111. With a SS3600. I was thinking 3.23 or 3.42. I want MPG in mind as I get around 25 mpg on the hwy now. Im leaning towards 3.23's...

kinglt-1

iTrader: (26)

3.73... best all around gear for a a4 imo. still gets around 23-24mpg @ 70mph 2350rpm

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

There's no performance difference between the two. I went with 3.42's just for a little more gear and because I found a good used set first. I could have gone with 3.23's if I found them first.

The difference at 70 & 80 mph is about 100rpm ... 3.73's add another 200 rpm on top of 3.42's.

If you have a 3 series carrier I'd look for a good used set of original GM gears on here. If not, you'll have to use aftermarket "thick" gears.

pat-ls101

Im trapping around 110 - 111 and I dont want my trap speed to be affected. Will switching to 3.42's affect this?

gyrene2003

Man, ain't much of any noticeable difference between the 3.23s and 3.42s. Def go with the later if that's as steep as ur gonna go, but u will kick urself later like most for not goin ballsier!

Rhino79

iTrader: (7)

3.42's if thats the only 2 choices. Otherwise I'd say 3.73's FTW

darrensls1

I agree!

gyrene2003

3.90s!!!!!!!!

Tramminc

10.12 gears

SuperSam

iTrader: (7)

I would go with 3.73...

senicalj4579

iTrader: (41)

I have stock 3.23s
If I was you and had to make the change from 2.73s I would go 3.73s
but because I already have my stock 3.23s I will not waste my time switching untill I need to upgrade the whole rear end.

pat-ls101

Sounds like 3.73s are the better of the 3. Here's my dilema, a gear swap will cost an upwards of 400-500 with the gears. I found a 3.23 rear for 250.00 that I can swap out. Does anyone think my trap speed will be affected with 3.23, 3.42, or 3.73 gears?

Rhino79

iTrader: (7)

I think there will be little difference in mph.

pat-ls101

I should gain maybe 1 MPH?

Camarosteve44

iTrader: (8)

Dont worry about MPH. As long as your getting there faster thats all that matters.

Also, i would go big. Im stuck on 2.73s with the same set up and I'm probally not changing it until the stock rear goes (85k). I would love to do 3.73 but with it being a DD around town wouldn't be good on gas mileage.

redbird555

iTrader: (14)

Actually you'd be surprised in town you probably wont notice any difference with gears you may even gain some mpgs. Simply because the motor is not lugging in the low rpms to get the car moving on the hwy you will get a couple less but not much. Also having the gears would make your stall feel much tighter around town and require less rpms to move than your 2.73's. I know thats kind of the opposite of what happens with the stock stall but the 2.73s reallly do make a high stall car more of a slug down low.

ejbta

If you are running 12.3 I would not change gears. The only difference with 3.73 is it will pull harder in third gear.

pat-ls101

It Def. Matters to me on MPH. Its like eating a piece of cake with too much icing. Wayyy to sweet. It needs to have a balance of ingredients to make it perfect.
I want a balance of both MPH and time when it comes to drag racing. No offense to anyone but, its cool to run a fast time but if you don't have the MPH to back it up then its not really not THAT impressive. IMHO. And I think my MPH is right where it should be with the time I ran IMHO.

lemons12

iTrader: (71)

Don't waste your money on 373s. Go with 342s.

The trade offs are way too large with 373s for the very very small plus it gives.342 is the better all around gear for many reason.

Why someone would recommend anything lower than 373 for a DD, I'm not sure.

pat-ls101

Lemons, with 3.42's my MPH should increase along with a quicker time? If so how many tenths and MPH do you think?