why is it that if we want to change our diff ratio's we got to buy the whole diff and not just a ring and pinion? i did find some 3.90 ratio ring and pinion sets online but is it to difficult to install? is that why all you ever see is complete diff's?

 

its not a pain in the as but u need some special tools.... about $600 worth I just did mine... but i have been doing gears for a little while now... this was my firct C5 diff and it was not complicating but time consuming....

 

because alot of the vetts have a two series carrier now if your vette has a a 315 gear or 342 you have the three series carrier so its no problem what so ever to change to the 3.90 gear hope that helps

 

I've got stock 3.42's in my rear and was thinking about swapping 3.90's instead because @ the end of the 1/4mile in 4th gear I'm only spinning @ 6k.

Are there any detailed instructions for the swap? I have the trans/rear out now so it would be an excellent time to do it.

 

Time to make it hook up now what do U have for shocks?

 

by spinning I meant RPM, not that I was actually spinning the slicks @ 6k if thats how you read it.

anyways, I have 100% stock suspension.

 

I was thinking to hard

 

What Kind Of Tools Do You Need? I Have 3.42's Also So Its Easy To Swap To 3.90? What Is Involved?

 

does anyone have any kind of instruction for this install

 

Ok, here's the deal. It's not a bolt in and go to do a gear swap. The C5 diff is more complex than a standard differential in say a camaro or mustang. I have personally been inside one to replace the output shafts with hardened units.

There's not that many people with experience that are familiar with it, I'd like to find someone besides DTE that is.

 

the problem is this...


removing the carrier (for either complete swap or R&P gear change) is a complex and time consuming ordeal. It's much more involved than on a F-Body.

So it's important to do the real axle ratio upgrade right... THE FIRST TIME. Many just opt for a new or professionally rebuilt carrier; for peace of mind. You don't want to be "shade tree experimenting" with the C5 carrier; as you'll tire quickly due to the indepth R&R procedure.

http://mikemercury.home.att.net/342.htm

 

well im kinda on the same page i would like to know what is involved to change the gears ive had a couple ALL the way part but i nvr changed the gears because nobody could give me information on it. if somebody have info on how to change them that would be great!

 

to always in boost
do u want o sell ur stock 3 42?

 

Just wondering if anyone has found a detailed "how-to" for this topic???

It might be hard or complex but where would we be if all of us thought that way and just stayed away. I on the other hand like to take on challenges like these. There's only one way to learn right.

 

RPM transmissions does a great job and has great customer service. east cost supercharging also does them and they are holding extermely well to some serious abuse. doug the owner 60s in the 1.2s. there customer service is also A+. i have had an DTE and will not use them again.

 

i dont think youll find a detailed HOW TO on this topic. Use the search function on the corvetteforum.com if youd like. But most that have tried this on their own have failed when setting up the ring gear and pinon. The C5 diff is almost a backwards unit. Ive been inside mine to install the LPE hardened output shaft and my ECS diff brace. My father was my helping hand (graduate for WyoTech and Machinist for UPRR) who has done plenty of gear swaps in Ford 9" GM 10 and 12bolts and wanted NOTHING to do with the gear swap. Hell i even had acess to the Kent Moore tools. But who would want to install a new set of gears to end up spending 8+ hours pulling your old carrier out to put a WHOLE new unit back in when things didnt work out????

That is why most just buy the whole unit.

 

^^^^^^^ Amen to that!
When my "professionally built" complete diff **** the bed, I had a local friend of mine who does transmissions and rear ends rebuild it with hardened shafts, gear and upgraded posi parts and its been fine ever since. It's not rocket science, and the diff R &R isn't too bad if you have access to a 2 post lift.

Jimbo

 

I see what you're saying. I've tried looking for more details in other forums and have come up empty. It's just something I want to learn how to do. I do all the work on my car no matter how hard it sounds. Setting up the gears isn't hard. The reason why most fail is because of laziness or trying to cut corners. Most get frustrated having to take the gears apart to change the shims over and over again. The fact is, this is part of the build process that a lot overlook.

Just my .02 cents

 

I did the ring and pinion in my 2000 c5 and i would never do it again...My local shop did the install and the gear whined like a bitch and sounded terrible at a cruise...It made it aggravating to drive and pretty much caused me to get rid of the car....If your going to do something to a vette, do it right!!You will most likely regret it and spend as much as replacing the whole unit...Just my 2

 

Did you ever figure out why they whined?
Maybe the clearance for the gears were off. How did the contact pattern look when you check the gears?