HuggerOrangeZ

I figured I would share my experience since there are so many questions about gear swaps.

The way I went about is probably not the cheapest, but I was told by Exotic Performance Plus that it is one of the quietest 10 bolts they have ever heard.

I bought a used set of 3.42's from someone with an '02 SS for $50. They had about 8,000 miles on them and were in good condition. I actually found out later that this can be bad because the gears are already worn from the previous rear and it's hard to get them to be shimmed right in another rear. I then bought a truetrac 3 series differential for about $380.

The car drives just as smooth as stock and there is no noise from the rear whatsoever. I am very happy with the gear swap/install.

The reason I went with 3.42's instead of 3.73's is because I wanted the car to be a little more highway friendly but I think the 3.73's would have been just fine. Right now at 60MPH I'm right around 2000 RPM's. If I had to do it again it would be a lot harder to choose between the 3.42’s and 3.73’s now that I know how tame the 3.42’s are.

I hope this helps some of you guys out.

FirstYrLS1Z

iTrader: (4)

If a used gear set is not worn and just has an established pattern,there's nothing wrong with using a 'used' set.I've been running a $25 used 4.56 richmond set for 2 years now,including 3 trips from Ohio to Florida,and everythings OK.

Toadman1

Is the car alot more fun to drive and did it seem to make a difference for you? Also did you just change the gears and not the whole axle?

btownz28

iTrader: (1)

i just went from 2:73s to 3:73s and man my car is a totally diff. beast

99huggerorangeZ

iTrader: (2)

i am going to run a 3.90(3.42s now)i just dont think that there is a huge difference between 3.42s and 3.73's.

btownz28

iTrader: (1)

i drove a SS with 3:23s and i can definitely feel the difference there

ss69

iTrader: (8)

I went from a 2.73 to a 3.42 myself. Picked it up a lot. I bought a new Auburn diff. for $200 last week and will be rebuilding it here soon. I'll be staying with the 3.42 gear because I drive the highway a good bit.

HuggerOrangeZ

Yes, the car is more fun to drive. It really helped take a lot of the looseness away from the 3200 converter I have in it. It just feels better to drive. However I now wonder what 3.73's are like and if I should have went with them.

I just changed the gears and differential, not the whole axle.

whytryz28

iTrader: (28)

Not much. I went from 2.73 to 3.08 in my 69 camaro and couldn't feel a thing when i did my first gear swap so because i didn't know much about ratios and there effects.

If you went from 3.42 to 4.10 then you will feel a kick in the pants.

EPP

iTrader: (22)

I'm glad it is still quiet for you, I was shocked at how quiet the rear is in your car. You have a very nice hugger orange! Bob

HuggerOrangeZ

Thanks Bob!

I hope I will have it back to your shop soon for a heads/cam install.

MY99TAWS6

iTrader: (3)

Did same swap to used gm 3.42 but bought the whole carrier for like 150 bucks.
Big improvement over the 2.73s. And while it is maybe tempting to go to 3.73 the factory gears are so nice and quiet not really willing to gamble. Had nightmares in my 99 ta with 4.10 motives and then 3.73 richmonds.
My 2800 vig stall helps out the 3.42 even more they make a nice package together.
Going a bit crazier on my 99 ta..3.54 gears with 3400 stall.