Stall or gears?
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 196
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From: Melbourne,FL
Stall or gears? So I'm getting my tax return, and it's all pretty much goin into my car. I've figured out where most of it is going. I've got about 400 left to spend on something, I'm thinking either a stall converter or 3.73 gears. My car has stock 3.23's right now. Stall or gears? I'm thinkin the stall, maybe a 3000, but i'd like some opinions. I still want my car to be street friendly since it's my DD. Thx!
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 580
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From: Manhattan, NY
definitely converter.. and dont go less than 3600
i just drove 70+ miles in heavy rain with the thing - and its completely safe / streetable. just need to feather the gas so as to not lose traction on the wet roads.
take a look at fuddle racing
i just drove 70+ miles in heavy rain with the thing - and its completely safe / streetable. just need to feather the gas so as to not lose traction on the wet roads.
take a look at fuddle racing
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
3.23's are a good ratio for an A4 ... get the converter first and then see if you still are interested in gears. The TCI 3000 will give very good driveability with the 3.23's.
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3500 stall at least- it'll feel loose at first but after a month it'll feel too tight and you'll want higher! 3000 isn't worth the $ imho but people have had very good results with 3000's so it is your own personal preference. tuning also becomes an issue when you get a stall, which a 3000 you just may be able to get away without tuning, but i wouldn't count on it.
your next modification should be drag radials or reeeeealy sticky street tires at least. daily driver or not you will be very sideways in 1st gear and into 2nd gear with street tires. sounds like fun but your tires will become feathered and cause vibration (ask me how i know), not to mention it is dangerous.
if i were in your shoes, with the lack of small modifications you have, i would get a lid, thermostat, fan switch or some type of tune first plus the tires. THEN get the stall and you'll be alot happier. i have **** sitting in my closet that WILL not go onto my car till i am confident im going to get the most out of it/them
your next modification should be drag radials or reeeeealy sticky street tires at least. daily driver or not you will be very sideways in 1st gear and into 2nd gear with street tires. sounds like fun but your tires will become feathered and cause vibration (ask me how i know), not to mention it is dangerous.
if i were in your shoes, with the lack of small modifications you have, i would get a lid, thermostat, fan switch or some type of tune first plus the tires. THEN get the stall and you'll be alot happier. i have **** sitting in my closet that WILL not go onto my car till i am confident im going to get the most out of it/them
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 196
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From: Melbourne,FL
OK, so i'm definitely going with a stall. Now i just have to decide which one. I'll let u guys know when i figure it out. I'd like to hear from more people about the stall (3000-3500) they have and how they like it. I just don't want it to be a pain in the *** to drive.
BTW, i just got and installed the SLP lid today, and I'm doin the entire exhaust from the headers back. Just a matter of ordering the parts.
Thx for you replies so far.
BTW, i just got and installed the SLP lid today, and I'm doin the entire exhaust from the headers back. Just a matter of ordering the parts.
Thx for you replies so far.
11 Second Club
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,524
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From: The South
When it comes to stall speed go higher than you think. I went with the TCI SSF3500 and now that my trans is going I am looking to either have FLP build me a level four, at which point I'll try and have it restalled to 3800-4000, or go with a TH400 in which case I will go with, well, a nice ~4k stall converter. Get the picture? It's almost always better to go larger/more aggressive than you think you want unless you have experience and KNOW. Remember this when picking things like converter, gears, and cams. 
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 862
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
i had a midwest 3400/2.0
i wanted more shift extention,
so i got a yank 4000/2.6
the shift extention is the same (-1300rpm)
but it feels alot faster all around.
4000 is a little much in slow traffic.
if i could do it over id try 3800.
i wanted more shift extention,
so i got a yank 4000/2.6
the shift extention is the same (-1300rpm)
but it feels alot faster all around.
4000 is a little much in slow traffic.
if i could do it over id try 3800.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
Everybody has different needs and goals - you have to do what's right FOR YOU and not what everyone else on this board says. I like my car to be responsive at light throttle in town; some guys don't care about that. Some guys enjoy pushing it to 2000 rpms just to move; to me that'd be a PITA. Some guys are willing to put up with lousy driveability on a daily basis for better track times on weekends. Each to his own. Get the converter/gear combo that you think best suits your goals.
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 196
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From: Melbourne,FL
Originally Posted by RevGTO
Everybody has different needs and goals - you have to do what's right FOR YOU and not what everyone else on this board says. I like my car to be responsive at light throttle in town; some guys don't care about that. Some guys enjoy pushing it to 2000 rpms just to move; to me that'd be a PITA. Some guys are willing to put up with lousy driveability on a daily basis for better track times on weekends. Each to his own. Get the converter/gear combo that you think best suits your goals.
I'm thinking i don't wanna go any higher than a 3500, maybe 3200. There can be quit a bit of traffic around where i live, so there's alot of stop and go. I know i don't want to have to mash on the gas just to get moving in traffic. Slight exaggeration
but you know what i mean. 
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Tempe, AZ
Funny off topic story that's a little related.
I'd just got my car back a few days before from the guy that put the Heads/Cam on my car.
My car is "definatly not stock" sounding if you drive it like a grandma and "what the hell was that" sounding when you get on it a little/lot.
So anyway, I was manuvering a bit through some light traffic, and pull up to a stoplight. This guy in a work pickup pulls up beside me and says:
Him: "That thing sounds like the clutch is slipping pretty bad"
Me: "it's an auto with a stall, It's suppose to sound like that"
Him: "Oh, well it sounds great then"
<Insert ear to ear grin here>
Sorry to sway off topic, but wanted to share.
Matt
I'd just got my car back a few days before from the guy that put the Heads/Cam on my car.
My car is "definatly not stock" sounding if you drive it like a grandma and "what the hell was that" sounding when you get on it a little/lot.
So anyway, I was manuvering a bit through some light traffic, and pull up to a stoplight. This guy in a work pickup pulls up beside me and says:
Him: "That thing sounds like the clutch is slipping pretty bad"
Me: "it's an auto with a stall, It's suppose to sound like that"
Him: "Oh, well it sounds great then"
<Insert ear to ear grin here>
Sorry to sway off topic, but wanted to share.
Matt