3.42's and 3200 Vig/ Is it worth the gear change ?
Hey Guys,
I've been thinking about a set of 3.42 gears to be my latest bolt-on, on my 2002 SS. My goals are very simple. Go fast with all bolts-ons ,stay full weigth and drive the car daily. My car is 95% of the time a daily driver. I already have a 3200 Vig ,SLP LT's w/Cats, SLP Lid , Predator, and Nittos. Is it really worth going from stock 3.23's to 3.42's ? If anyone has done this ,what were your ET Times improvements ? I'm sure the car probably drive a little better with the 3.42's and 3200 Vig. As for now ,I have now problem with the way it drives now ,but I was just wondering about the gear change. Thanks in advance
I've been thinking about a set of 3.42 gears to be my latest bolt-on, on my 2002 SS. My goals are very simple. Go fast with all bolts-ons ,stay full weigth and drive the car daily. My car is 95% of the time a daily driver. I already have a 3200 Vig ,SLP LT's w/Cats, SLP Lid , Predator, and Nittos. Is it really worth going from stock 3.23's to 3.42's ? If anyone has done this ,what were your ET Times improvements ? I'm sure the car probably drive a little better with the 3.42's and 3200 Vig. As for now ,I have now problem with the way it drives now ,but I was just wondering about the gear change. Thanks in advance
3.42 is 5.8% higher than 3.23. This means that it's only a small increase in mechanical advantage (or you could say "leverage".)
He is running a 3800 stall converter (falsely rated at 3200 if you're wondering why it's called a 3200 and I'm calling it a 3800.) With a higher stalling converter, extra gearing makes less and less difference. If he were running a stock converter then the gain *might* be noticable. When you have less gearing with a converter, it basically just works the converter harder, hence, to a large degree the converter makes up the difference.
He is running a 3800 stall converter (falsely rated at 3200 if you're wondering why it's called a 3200 and I'm calling it a 3800.) With a higher stalling converter, extra gearing makes less and less difference. If he were running a stock converter then the gain *might* be noticable. When you have less gearing with a converter, it basically just works the converter harder, hence, to a large degree the converter makes up the difference.
I must say Colonel ,that makes perfectly good sense to me. I guess I'll just keep my 3.23 gear awhile longer.
Maybe in the future I may go with a 3.73 gear.......maybe.........
. Thanks again .
Maybe in the future I may go with a 3.73 gear.......maybe.........
. Thanks again .
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Ok got ya now.....At 1st I thought you were saying if he makes the change it'll be a 3800 converter, in which I said to myself, what the hell is colonel talking about, thats impossible.....but then I remembered your colonel and I am 2002 Trans Am, so I started doubting myself 
BTW, sorry to hi-jack your thread, but do you think it is worth changing gears in my car. I have a Yank SS3800 with 2.73s
and changing it to 3.23s or 3.42s?

BTW, sorry to hi-jack your thread, but do you think it is worth changing gears in my car. I have a Yank SS3800 with 2.73s
and changing it to 3.23s or 3.42s?
Originally Posted by 2002 Trans Am
BTW, sorry to hi-jack your thread, but do you think it is worth changing gears in my car. I have a Yank SS3800 with 2.73s
and changing it to 3.23s or 3.42s?
and changing it to 3.23s or 3.42s?
Originally Posted by 2002 Trans Am
Actually the 2.73 with SS3800 isn't too bad.
Pretty tight actually
Pretty tight actually
Yeah I thought it would be pretty loose too, but I guess this 21 blade stator thing makes it tight 
It also feels a lot tighter when I drive around in 3 as opposed to 4(around the city) not sure why but it does, also doesn't throw any codes that way

It also feels a lot tighter when I drive around in 3 as opposed to 4(around the city) not sure why but it does, also doesn't throw any codes that way
Forget the gear and go with a Yank Pro Thruster 4000 or 4200. Trust me the car will wake right up and the drivability is fine. I have a 4600 and H/C. Drivability is fine for me. Drove up to Fairfax, VA (193 miles) every weekend for a year and had no problems. Also pimp the beach quite often too.
Mac glad to see that you came to the dark side....
Mac glad to see that you came to the dark side....

