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Need advice on gears

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Old 12-11-2008, 09:14 AM
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Default Need advice on gears

Hey guys,

Have a 99 A4 Z28 that currently has 2:73 gears in it. The car is pretty much just a bolt on car ( lid, ported TB, LS6 intake, Hooker LTs, ORY, Magnaflow Cat Back ) and will more than likely be staying that way, as it's more of a street car than anything else.

My question is this.....for what I'm using the car for, which gear set would be best? 3:23, 3:42 or 3:73?

I kicked around throwing a stall in it, but the wife will be driving the car as well, and I'm not real sure her and a stall would make a good match.
Old 12-11-2008, 10:10 AM
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I had a 3.73 in an Lt car I had with an a4 seemed to be a real good match. Seeing as how Ls motors like RPM's shouldn't be any problem. I am running a 4.10 and only have 3 gears so I would think you will be fine.
Old 12-11-2008, 10:59 AM
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my car had 2.73 and just had a few bolt ons.. now i have a cam, 3200 stall and 3.73 and it is fine for a daily driver. seriously!! u wont have any problems with a stall and 3.73. it will wake your A4 up big time!
Old 12-11-2008, 11:06 AM
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Get some 513's
Old 12-11-2008, 11:11 AM
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I am always of the opinion of matching up the right gear and stall set based on the intended outcome and these 2 mods should be done LAST. This is to create an optimal set up.

All three gear sets are fine, actually for the 3.23 and 3.42, you may just want to find a used axle and just toss it in there. Its prob cheaper then a gear swap.

I think in general 3.73 will be fine too, if the Mrs. knows how to drive and what to expect, you should also have no issues. She just needs to be aware that she has to respect the vehichle.
Old 12-11-2008, 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by BlackScreaminMachine
She just needs to be aware that she has to respect the vehichle.

Probably the best quote of the day!!!!!!



Huggerorange73, Go ahead and get the gears and stall. You or the Mrs. shouldn't have any problems with streetability. You will be amazed in the difference with that stuff.
Old 12-12-2008, 11:54 PM
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if your car sees expressway like my a4... i would go with 3.42 ,like i did. my car thanks me everytime i press the gas!!
Old 12-13-2008, 01:56 AM
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I had 3.73's in my Auto, worked very well.
Old 12-13-2008, 06:17 AM
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I really like my 3.42s, even before the car aquired a butt turbo.
I like my 3400 stall, but the PCM is tuned for it.
Old 12-13-2008, 01:47 PM
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I prefer the 3.42s. It will pick up a LOT compared to the 2.73s and you will not lose any MPG at 'normal' speeds. I had 3.42s in my old 99TA with a Yank PT4000 and a 226 cam and it was a lot of fun. I still got 260 miles to the tank.
Old 12-14-2008, 02:06 PM
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If your doing gears I would suggest 3.73, I went from 2.73 (sucked), to a 3.42 (nice improvement), and I now have 3.70. The 3.70 are fine on the highway and in my opinion the perfect gear in an a4.
Old 12-14-2008, 10:38 PM
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I had the 2.73 gears and they are great for the highway low rpm but the 3.42 are good they do wake the car up,
freeway isn't that bad, gas mileage did go down a few but if you keep your foot out of it you get decent mileage
but with street tires 3.42 you loose traction alot half way on the throtle and tire's break loose, heck even when I hit second gear and full throtle the tire's just spin.
it is nice to know that 40 mph i can spin the tire's :-)
now if I didn't drive 50 miles daily to work I would like to see how the 3.73 do.
Old 12-15-2008, 06:29 AM
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In my 383//4L60e combo, I did run 3.42's and was NOT optimal for racing but the rpms were street and gas friendly and when the car was going to get whacked with a 150 shot, it was going to be able to have enough room for the 1/4 on 26" tall tires since this was a purpous built street and then strip car.




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