MMWS6

If so, could you tell me what RPM you run at 80mph or around 130kph? Running around 23-2400rpm now with stock gears

St Louis SHO

iTrader: (3)

80 in my car is somewhere near 3200 iirc.

Decadence75

iTrader: (17)

Use one of the many calculators out there to figure out where it should be. Here is one from a quick google search


http://www.ringpinion.com/Calculators/Calc_RPM.aspx

Sales3@Texas-Speed

iTrader: (2)

I had 3.73s in one of my previous A4 f-bodies, if I remember correctly @80 it was right around 3100-3200 as well.

NC98Z

iTrader: (1)

http://www.pszweb.com/car/gears.htm

MMWS6

That one looks good, I'll try it later. The one posted above was giving a result that was above and below what the guys here are saying they see at that speed. I spend a lot of time on the highway at 80mph and not sure if I want to spend a couple hours a day at that RPM. I may have to go a slight bit smaller than 373 if I'm going to do anything with the gears. Maybe as far as 2700-2750 would give me at 80 I'm thinking.

98z8uup

iTrader: (7)

You may want to go with 342 gear.

MMWS6

I think you are right good sir, thanks for the info guys

TyCZ28

i turned around 2900-3k in my LT1.. but that was open headers


by the time i got were i was going an hr or 2 later my head was buzzing hahaha somehow managed to squeak out a consistant 21 MPG highway but around 14 city cuz i couldnt keep my foot out of it =]

Sales3@Texas-Speed

iTrader: (2)

I ended up swapping to 3.42s as an end result in that car as well...

lemons12

iTrader: (71)

Id always go with a stock 342 rear until i got a nice rear. If i had factory 323s i would keep them as well.
Autos don't respond to gears like manuals.

MasterTomos

iTrader: (15)

+1 for factory 3.42's out of a 6 speed car. Why spend hundreds on aftermarket 3.73's for a rear end (that's junk anyway from the factory) when a used, low mile 3.42 gear can be had for under $50 easily in the classifieds? The gap between 3.42's and 3.73's is not much at all performance wise (less than a tenth in most cases). When you break it down, is the cost of 3.73's over 3.42's, plus the increased fuel consumption from higher rpm's really worth less than a tenth in the 1/4?

Save the cash IMO for when you get an upgraded rear end, and pick whatever gears you want then (no additional charges for whatever gears you want from most companies)

MMWS6

This is case and point why anyone with a car like this needs to hook up with you guys here. I know I'm getting into something that all of you have done many, many times before. I'm from the FWD world where I built a 3400 Grand Am to some pretty un-Godly numbers. Thing was a freakin' rocket, 80-130 in 1.9, but really had hit its' peek. I've wanted to have some fun with one of these cars for many years and am just loving driving it.
But on topic here, I wonder if Strange makes a replacement for our cars? I know they build shortened rears, thats all I've seen around here but when I see a Strange rear I get goosebumps...lol I would love to have one taking care of business in this car!

high impact

iTrader: (5)

If you drive a lot then the 3.42 will work fantastic as a "middle of the road" gear. Great performance with decent drivability. My sons daily driver A4 car has 3.42 and they are great - 3.73 is a great gear but will cost you a little rpm on the street. I agree with the poster above who says find a 3.42 in the classified - I have never seen one for $50 but you should find a drum to drum for less than $200. If your car was only a weekend warrior then I would certainly recommended the 3.73.

Raymond Louis

I Have 3.73 gears and to be perfectly honest i dont know how there different from stock setup because i bought the car with the gears modded allready but what i can tell you is i get crappy gas milage

MasterTomos

iTrader: (15)

What kind of power was in that grand am? lol. Nice thing about RWD is that you can actually accelerate hard at launch lol

The best bang for the buck rear end seems to be MWC (midwest chassis) out of illinois. My buddy is running one in his stroker car, and for the money you spend, you get a lot more than you would from other companies. Their fab9" rear end is pretty much indestructible.

Strange, Moser, or a custom Ford rear end are other routes.

murphinator

iTrader: (2)

373 to 342 you could make up that rpm difference with taller rear tires or close to it anyways

CHADsterss

I actually got better fuel mileage.