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Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

Old May 24, 2002 | 10:34 PM
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Default Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

Hi everyone, this is my 1st post on LS1Tech.

I have a virtually stock '94 Maroon Formula. It came with the Performance Rear Axle Option with 3.23s.
This car is my daily driver and I don't want to lose more than maybe 3 mpg on the average. However, I want the best performance possible from Gears!!!
I plan on doing Headers/Y Pipe in about 2 weeks, then right after that I'm getting the gears!!!

Which should I get...3.73s or 4.10s???
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Old May 24, 2002 | 10:37 PM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

Oh yah, I would also like to see at least a 3 tenths gain in the 1/4 mile...I hope that helps on your opinion of what I should get...

Thanks for some input everyone!!!

~Ricky
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Old May 24, 2002 | 10:41 PM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

You won't see .3 from gears. Probably .1 and the best would be 3.73.

You could get a ST3500 for twice as much $$$ and see 6 times the gain of 3.73 or 4.10 with traction. Keep the gears and get a converter. Your highway mileage will remain intact.
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Old May 25, 2002 | 12:56 AM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

I second what OBSSSD says. Get a converter and u WONT be dissapointed. I got to finnaly drive a car w/ one it it, actually it was a ST3500, and it was fun <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> I cait wait till my warrenty goes <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> Drive one and you will understand

Drew
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Old May 25, 2002 | 07:10 AM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

i chose to go with Vig3200...but i have not driven a Yank converter car, so I can't compare that. BUT...you will get your .3 tenths if not more with the use of sticky tires at the track, you won't have to worry about possibly breaking the gears(cause those higher numerically gears aren't as strong as your stock 3.23's), and your highway gas mileage will remain the same as it is now. Best part is the car will still be killer from a roll. With my Vig I went from 13.4 down to 12.7's. Good luck with the decision.

Chris
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Old May 25, 2002 | 08:03 PM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

Some LT1s seem to run better and have less issues when the stall is less than what works well for an LS1. A Yank 3000 or Vig 2800 will kick butt with those 3.23s and only cost 1 - 2 mpg in town and no loss of mpg on the highway.
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Old May 25, 2002 | 08:16 PM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

I have a 98 Formula A4, I run 3:42's and I have a Yank ST3500, and I love the crap out of it. I get 22-24 mpg in the city, and I always have my foot in it. Yank RULES. But if you want gears you should get them, I would suggest the 3:73's. Good Luck. <img border="0" alt="[Burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />
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Old May 25, 2002 | 09:58 PM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Drew2G2:
<strong>I second what OBSSSD says. Get a converter and u WONT be dissapointed. I got to finnaly drive a car w/ one it it, actually it was a ST3500, and it was fun <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> I cait wait till my warrenty goes <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> Drive one and you will understand

Drew</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wow someone let you drive their car? So who was it? I would let ya drive mine, but driving a stock one is no fun. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
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Old May 26, 2002 | 12:28 AM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

Yeah...definitely do a converter and keep your stock gears. I recommend a Yank ST3500 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
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Old May 26, 2002 | 12:30 AM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

Well guys,

I would like to do a stall converter, but I have an extended warranty on my car and a stall converter will void the whole transmission warranty, and I don't want to risk it.
Gears will not void my warranty!!!

So I am defnantly doing Gears...Just trying to figure out what is better to go with...the 3.73s or the 4.10s.

Oh and from what I have heard...anything higher than a 2800 stall on a LT1 is bad on the tranny!!! First thing is the cheap plastic Tranmsion mount on an LT1 will snap in half real quick with anything higher than a 2800 stall.

When I get my gears and Tires...I want to do this ALOT... <img border="0" alt="[Burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

~Ricky
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Old May 26, 2002 | 01:05 PM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

Get a Stealth Thruster 3200. It will be almost like stock and housed in the stock converter housing. You'll see .4 - .45 easy and should not have any warranty issues.

If you want to do the gears that's fine, just don't expect more than a .1 with them. You'll also lose 3mpg on the hwy with 3.73...
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Old May 26, 2002 | 09:18 PM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

Man...Everyone talks about gears as a bad mod to do to an A4 Fbody <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

I know a lot of peeps with Manual Fbodies and Mustangs who get 4.10s or higher, and all of their cars are SOOO MUCH FUN!!!

So it really isn't worth doing gears on an A4???

I do know one thing...My friend with a '99 Cobra with 18 inch Cobra R rims...he went from 2.73s to 4.30s...I use to beat him in races by 1-2 cars...now he get's into his power band QUICK and he beats me all the time by about a car length...except when he get's a bad launch.

Man, I'm really dissappointed with the thought of getting gears now... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

~Ricky
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Old May 26, 2002 | 09:47 PM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

I do <img border="0" alt="[Burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" /> too much now with 2.73's and a ST3500. Do what you want...... heck do both. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
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Old May 27, 2002 | 10:08 AM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

Get a convertor of your choice in the 2800 to 3500 range with the 3:73 gears. It is a great combination. You will have to learn the new setup and maybe fine tune suspension with higher gears and stall convertor. These suggestions will cost, but hey--it is worth it. Good luck in the decision making process.
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Old May 27, 2002 | 10:52 AM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

I run 4.10's with my tp4400 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
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Old May 27, 2002 | 10:16 PM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

Just for the info 99 cobras came with 3.27
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Old May 28, 2002 | 12:53 AM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

I don't know if it compares, but everyone that I know that went from 3.42s to 3.73s has picked up a solid .2 at the track. That's for 3.8 V6s. If you don't mind the high RPM on the highway, then go for 4.10s. I have them and love them. People told me that the car won't pull as hard on the highway as 3.42s. It pulls much much harder at all speeds. Plus 4.10s will make those huge stalls not feel as loose. Car will be much more driveable with big stalls and/or big cams. Think of future mods when you get gears.
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Old May 28, 2002 | 07:47 AM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

4.10s are a lot of gear if you do much highway crusing, but otherwise are fine for street use around town. Most A4s go to 3.73s as they are a good balance of performance and highway cruising rpm.
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Old May 28, 2002 | 08:46 PM
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Default Re: Newbie: 3.73s or 4.10s on an A4???

Automatic LT1's actually seem to respond better to 3.73 gears than most people think. I know of several who made the jump from 2.73's or 3.23's and picked up anywhere from 1.5 to 3 tenths in the quarter with a better tire in a mostly stockish car. I agree the stall would be better, but remember that the OBD1 LT1's have a 1-2 WOT shift problem with anything higher than a "true" 3200 stall. A Vig 2800(3200) would be the perfect torque converter for your 94. Either way, one or the other will make you real happy, and then you can just do the other later. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
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