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Do the shallow A4 gears hurt you on the quarter mile??

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Old 05-23-2005, 09:34 AM
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Default Do the shallow A4 gears hurt you on the quarter mile??

This is probably a stupid question but I just want to clear it up... why do the A4's come with such shallow gears (2.73's, 3.23's) compared to the M6 cars (3.42's)??? I know the M6 probably has a broader gear range but is that it?? Do A4's perform worse on the quarter mile because of the shallower gears?

I am building a project with a 98 Z28 LS1 and A4 trans and currently have a Dana 44 with 2.88's in the car... was considering a set of 3.31's but don't want to gearbound the car. I want a strong (not crazy) quarter mile but I also want it to feel good on the highway.
Old 05-23-2005, 09:47 AM
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The main reason is fuel economy I'm sure, but the 4L60E's first gear is numerically higher than first gear in the M6, so its a trade off. M6s are just quicker up top because they dont suffer as much drivetrain loss as autos do.
Old 05-23-2005, 12:40 PM
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So the shallower rear end gears balance out the deeper first gear in the 4L60E A4 trans?

Originally Posted by josh99ta
The main reason is fuel economy I'm sure, but the 4L60E's first gear is numerically higher than first gear in the M6, so its a trade off. M6s are just quicker up top because they dont suffer as much drivetrain loss as autos do.
Old 05-24-2005, 12:55 PM
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Default that much difference?

What kind of changes do you see moving your ratio up? I know you obviously have more torque but does it feel faster even on the highway or does it feel gearbound? How m uch does changing the ratio effect your quarter mile times?

Originally Posted by FastKat
This is probably a stupid question but I just want to clear it up... why do the A4's come with such shallow gears (2.73's, 3.23's) compared to the M6 cars (3.42's)??? I know the M6 probably has a broader gear range but is that it?? Do A4's perform worse on the quarter mile because of the shallower gears?

I am building a project with a 98 Z28 LS1 and A4 trans and currently have a Dana 44 with 2.88's in the car... was considering a set of 3.31's but don't want to gearbound the car. I want a strong (not crazy) quarter mile but I also want it to feel good on the highway.
Old 05-27-2005, 10:26 PM
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Originally Posted by FastKat
This is probably a stupid question but I just want to clear it up... why do the A4's come with such shallow gears (2.73's, 3.23's) compared to the M6 cars (3.42's)??? I know the M6 probably has a broader gear range but is that it?? Do A4's perform worse on the quarter mile because of the shallower gears?

I am building a project with a 98 Z28 LS1 and A4 trans and currently have a Dana 44 with 2.88's in the car... was considering a set of 3.31's but don't want to gearbound the car. I want a strong (not crazy) quarter mile but I also want it to feel good on the highway.
From what I understand the M6's got a bigger rear end to compensate for CAGS (skip shift). Both the A4 and M6 use to have 3.23's until they implemented CAGS, then the M6 needed a bigger gear to get going faster and skip into 4th gear.
Old 05-28-2005, 01:29 AM
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I went from 2:73's to 3:42's and gained a consistent 4/10ths is the 1/4 mile with a lid and catback. Only change was the gears.
Old 05-30-2005, 06:45 PM
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A 4000+ stall will put you with a m6 if not own them
Old 06-01-2005, 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by scottyballs
A 4000+ stall will put you with a m6 if not own them
With 3.42 gears? How will a stall that big feel on the street under normal driving? Will it feel like its revving up high/sluggish all the time on take off?
Old 06-01-2005, 09:36 PM
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4000 stall and 4.10 gears here. i used to have 2.73's, and it was loose with the converter. now, it is better as far as driveability.
Old 06-02-2005, 07:45 PM
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I have 3.73's and a Yank SS3600 .... drives great ... pretty streetable, as well.

Last edited by JEB99TA; 06-02-2005 at 07:45 PM. Reason: typo
Old 06-05-2005, 10:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Pewter T/A
With 3.42 gears? How will a stall that big feel on the street under normal driving? Will it feel like its revving up high/sluggish all the time on take off?
with your mods and a 4000 stall anything under 40 mph will feel sluggish.
Old 06-05-2005, 10:50 PM
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Man get the 3.73 you have overdrive. I still get 20+ mpg on the hwy. Besides the 3.73 will help your motor recover faster between shifts.
Old 06-06-2005, 05:21 AM
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At 80 mph I'm at 2,700 rpm and the car cruises nicely. 28+ miles per gallon on long trips. Pulls hills with easy. ****-for-mileage around town, though. It's probably more because I drive it so hard, though.
Old 06-06-2005, 07:40 AM
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Originally Posted by JEB99TA
At 80 mph I'm at 2,700 rpm and the car cruises nicely. 28+ miles per gallon on long trips. Pulls hills with easy. ****-for-mileage around town, though. It's probably more because I drive it so hard, though.
Well if you have a brick for a right foot its kind of hard to roll by the gas pumps. Know but really most cars with A4 work well with 3.73 and M6 cars seem go the 4.10 set up.
Old 06-06-2005, 08:09 PM
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It's more like a lead weight. Agree with all.




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