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A4 vs A3 Gearing

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Old Sep 8, 2009 | 07:07 AM
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Default A4 vs A3 Gearing

At what point does it become beneficial to go from A4 to A3 given differences in 1st and 2nd gear? HP/Weight is only factor I can think that would determine the answer. Anyone have a clue?


Transmission 1st 2nd 3rd[/B]
TH400/3L80 2.48 1.48 1.0
4L60E 3.06 1.63 1.0
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Old Sep 8, 2009 | 08:56 AM
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Most folks makes the A4 to A3 swap because they are swapping in a more race oriented, durable transmission.

Some folks might like the taller first gear of the A3 for big nitrous or even a turbo setup, but that's not a driving factor for most.

You might find that a powerglide swap for some is driven by desire to go to a very tall first gear, AND to now just require one shift during the whole pass.
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Old Sep 8, 2009 | 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Pro Stock John
Most folks makes the A4 to A3 swap because they are swapping in a more race oriented, durable transmission.

Some folks might like the taller first gear of the A3 for big nitrous or even a turbo setup, but that's not a driving factor for most.

You might find that a powerglide swap for some is driven by desire to go to a very tall first gear, AND to now just require one shift during the whole pass.
for sure a good general observation. Looking for a HP/weight number; however, I doubt anyone here has one.
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Old Sep 8, 2009 | 02:55 PM
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once you start making lots of HP you want a taller first gear so you dont have soo much torque multiplication on the starting line... harder to control wheel speed...

nitrous and blower guys make lots of bottom end torque
turbo guys need to load the cars in low to make them spool fast and they mph like hell...
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Old Sep 8, 2009 | 08:00 PM
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I originally decided to go a th400 based on the ability to build and maintain one at a low cost.

It ended up being an additional benefit because I will be spraying out of the gate the wheel speed will be kept down through first gear which will obviously make me less prone to spin. (As mentioned above)
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Old Sep 8, 2009 | 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Funkster
I originally decided to go a th400 based on the ability to build and maintain one at a low cost.

It ended up being an additional benefit because I will be spraying out of the gate the wheel speed will be kept down through first gear which will obviously make me less prone to spin. (As mentioned above)
I know this is problem with the A4's. They cost alot to build strong and they're still not as strong as a TH400 thats cheaper to build and maintain. Thats the reason when my trans goes I would switch to a th400 and be done with it.
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Old Sep 9, 2009 | 09:01 AM
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So ... Excess wheel speed in 1st is the consensus for reason to switch down.
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Old Sep 9, 2009 | 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by tee-boy
So ... Excess wheel speed in 1st is the consensus for reason to switch down.
Depending on your power output it can be an important feature of the th400.

A lot of people keep with the A4 due to the added noise of driving the car with a three speed. If the car doesn't see many street miles or you are, like me, one of the guys who will tolerate a lot of noise in a "street car" for the sake of performance then it should be fine.
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Old Sep 9, 2009 | 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Funkster
Depending on your power output it can be an important feature of the th400.

A lot of people keep with the A4 due to the added noise of driving the car with a three speed. If the car doesn't see many street miles or you are, like me, one of the guys who will tolerate a lot of noise in a "street car" for the sake of performance then it should be fine.
4L80 is a TH400 with overdrive. Best of both worlds
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Old Sep 9, 2009 | 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by slow67
4L80 is a TH400 with overdrive. Best of both worlds
true, if you are more interested in driving on the street with a pig under the car.
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Old Sep 9, 2009 | 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by slow67
4L80 is a TH400 with overdrive. Best of both worlds
I am not too willing to spend $4,000 on a transmission. Otherwise, I would agree.
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Old Sep 9, 2009 | 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Funkster
I am not too willing to spend $4,000 on a transmission. Otherwise, I would agree.
I have about $2500 in my T56 to 4l80 swap.
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Old Sep 9, 2009 | 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by slow67
I have about $2500 in my T56 to 4l80 swap.
Decent price. Usually to have an A4 built to handle the HP I will be making would be pretty expensive. Plus the car will barely be street driven so what the hell.

He is right though, if you have the money the 4L80E or 4L85E is a hell of a transmission. All in your budget and goals.
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Old Sep 10, 2009 | 08:02 PM
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You could also go TH350 with a heavy duty clutch drum, It will be strong as 400 but lighter. Thats what I did.
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Old Sep 11, 2009 | 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by tee-boy
At what point does it become beneficial to go from A4 to A3 given differences in 1st and 2nd gear? HP/Weight is only factor I can think that would determine the answer. Anyone have a clue?


Transmission 1st 2nd 3rd[/B]
TH400/3L80 2.48 1.48 1.0
4L60E 3.06 1.63 1.0
-Durability

-In most cases, less parasitic loss

-Ease of rebuilding and parts are plentiful

-Taller 1st gear calms down the car and allows it to leave better

-4L60/4L60e/700-R4's are on the same level of a Th350, people use them since you get the O/D and its less parastic loss then a TH400/4L80e combo, BUT the ability to take power and abuse is VERY slim to none. For ever 100 that blow, one may hold together, but that guy is rebuilding that trans at minimum every season.

-4L80e is an expensive swap and does have more parastic loss then the already power hungry Th400 which detract from the swap. Still now adays it is an uncommon swap.

-These are my opinions, but I think they have some weight to them. Pick your trans to what your doing with the car.
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