converter, 3.42 gears or both?
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converter, 3.42 gears or both?
I'm in a situation where i need to make some decisions. I have a 3.42 rear set and all to install into my Z28 but once it's installed i'll have $450-$500 invested including installation. I currently have 2.73's and the 3.42's will be a nice bump on the street but my plans are to go with a 3500 converter sometime soon. I'm worried about traction because i cant afford drag rims and tires, and i need to buy some new street tires as it is. Should i keep my 2.73's and just get the 3500/2.5 TCI that I want, or go ahead and do the gears and just get the TC later on? I'm currently running 12.9 with the granny gears and they arent all that bad since I do a nice bit of interstate driving. gas mileage still is my friend. If i sold this gear setup now that will cover half of my stall. Got any informed opinions? my car is a daily driver, and i race it often but fastest 1/4 time isnt necessarily my goal, I still want a deadly street machine. Thanks
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well it still wont be the biggest gain, but it should be a nice improvement for me. right now i have no traction issues with the 2.73's, and the converter will add to the overall fun to drive factor. it's a gamble with the 3.42's being that there's the possibility they could break, and i'm down to square one again. (The rear is a Auburn unit from a 96 with 63K miles)
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I'm running 3.42s w/Yank SS 3600 stall.Driveability still great and running street tires w/little or no traction issues.Will do a healthy when you want to,it's definately fun to drive
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well TCI's converters have a higher STR, so my launches would be harder, another reason for keeping the 2.73's
what kinda 60'times with the 3.42's and 3600? always run street tires?
what kinda 60'times with the 3.42's and 3600? always run street tires?
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another option is go with the gears, and save more money for a yank or Vig converter than has a little lower STR...... I definitely dont wanna go lower than 3500, but price of the converter is a big issue
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#10
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I have gotten a 12.9 on street tires with my converter. But that was feathering it heavly off the line. On the street anything below 30mph is usually tire spin unless I have nittos on. I have 3.42's and a vig3200. edit: go with the converter, Save the gear change for when your rear end will go out. Sooner or later it will, mine did before I even had my converter. 2.73's and a converter can be higly potent but still efficient on the street. However the lower the gears the looser it'll feel.
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yea, theres just the reliability issue with gears, and gas mileage. Sorry I seem so weary, but this will be my biggest performance mod moneywise. I guess that I'm talking myself into the converter. this is stressful!
#12
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i just had my converter restalled when it was in for repair and my rear was blown so i had 3.73s put in along with a trans go.
car feels great.less pedal is needed to get moving moderately.
even if you dont have DRs with a TC you can feel the difference from a roll and it makes your car so much more fun to drive.
converter with DRs is the way to go then get gears later.itll break anyway.bet on it.
car feels great.less pedal is needed to get moving moderately.
even if you dont have DRs with a TC you can feel the difference from a roll and it makes your car so much more fun to drive.
converter with DRs is the way to go then get gears later.itll break anyway.bet on it.
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3500/2.5 TCI
My latest 60' on street tires/full street trim 1.76
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Converter and save up for the tires if you aren't having traction problems yet. I went Nitto's first because I was having traction issues. You can go plenty fast w/2.73's(some don't like to believe it).
And if you are looking to go with 3.42's my advise is buy a used one from a M6 guy. Cheaper than gears+install.....and you will have a spare too. I'm glad I had one when I broke.
And if you are looking to go with 3.42's my advise is buy a used one from a M6 guy. Cheaper than gears+install.....and you will have a spare too. I'm glad I had one when I broke.
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looks at sig...
i have some 3.42's waiting to go in, but i KNOW traction is going to become a major issue. if im not careful i burn my nittos off like crazy right now- even with a 10 second burnout to heat them up. it is your choice, but a converter makes for a pretty hairy ride without tires. if i run my stockers (which i put back on sometimes for fun= goodyears) it is sideways till like 60mph and i don't have much done...
i have some 3.42's waiting to go in, but i KNOW traction is going to become a major issue. if im not careful i burn my nittos off like crazy right now- even with a 10 second burnout to heat them up. it is your choice, but a converter makes for a pretty hairy ride without tires. if i run my stockers (which i put back on sometimes for fun= goodyears) it is sideways till like 60mph and i don't have much done...
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yea i hope to see 12.4-12.5 with a converter, the gears with a converter would probably net me 12.5, being traction limited. 12.7 in the 1/4 with just the 3.42's i'd assume. I'll take the biggest gain now. I've posted my stuff in the for sale section if anyone wants it
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i have the ssf 3500 and 2.73 setup. that was the best thing i did to my car, it made it fun again to drive. traction will be an issue even with 2.73 gears. i was thinking of putting on 3.42's but i will wait on that for a while, this is also my commuter car and the 2.73's are good for freeway driving. i bought some nitto dr's and i can spin the **** out of them, this converter hits hard.
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Originally Posted by shortdog
Converter + street tires = LOTS of wheel spin, even when feathering it off the line.