My '02 Z28 vert came with 2.73 gears and I don't feel as if i'm getting enough low end acceleration around town. I do very little highway driving with this car and i'm looking for it to pull harder at speeds under 70. The car has a few bolt-ons (lid, exhaust) and I do not plan to do any internal engine mods or a TC. Will I see a big difference if I change gears? What should I go with.. 3.23, 3.43?

 

Oh man........gear is prob the best "Bang" for the buck... i have a A4 with a 3600 Stall and i had 2.73s and i just recently put 3.73s now its a totally different car as far a accelleration goes.... any gear will be an improvement with a Automatic i wouldnt go any lower than 3.42 and no higher than 4.10

 

I had 2.73s and drive mostly in town, like you. I hated the way they would cause the engine to bog at lower speeds - and I strictly drove in 3rd below 65mph. I had 3.42s installed and love 'em! Major difference! 3.23s would also be good - there is very little difference in rpms below 80mph. 3.73s would absolutely rip around town, but 2800 rpms @80mph is too much for me.

 

Get a torque converter, then you will like the 273s.

 

3.42's

 

3.42's are sounding nice! Are there any advanges of having 2.73's, and are there any reasons not to get 3.42's? Can someone give me a feeling of how the car will change from a 2.73 -> 3.42 switch? Also, what kind of work is involved in changing gears.. is it a big job? Will I need a different driveshaft? Thank you!!

 

Same Ds Can Be Used ... Its One Of The Things For The Expirenced Modder\ Pro Only (imo) The Car Will Launch Harder But I Didnt Notice Too Much Form A Dig Beacouse I Already Roasted My Tires Before So It Meant More Slippage .. But Most Who Have Propler Traction Sat It Pulls Alot More I Think Its A Good Mod

 

3.42's

 

If you insist on not getting a converter, then 3.73s are what you want; otherwise I would suggest 3.42s. 3.42s will be a big improvement and give decent highway revs. Also 3.73s get tricky to launch on the street.

A decent 3000 stall will cure your problem.

 

I'm not too concerned about launches or performance at the track -- I just want a SOTP gain around town and the occasional WOT highway runs. I've heard that converters are expensive to have installed, but i'm not sure what gears will be...i was thinking it would be a cheaper way to go. Also with the converter I have to worry about picking the right one and what kind of quality I can afford to get. Has anyone else just switched to 3.42's without any other drivetrain mods?

 

3.42's here... I also went from 2.73's. HUGE difference

 

I thought long and hard about it, and decided to go with the 3.42s as opposed to the converter for the same reason you're concerned with - SOTP around town. It did exactly what I'd hoped for. Once your converter is locked driving in town, it doesn't matter how great it is at full throttle, you're still going to be bogging at low rpms with those 2.73s. Gears need to be set up by a pro and when it's all said and done, will not be any cheaper than (most) converters.

 

Any back to back track testing? I hear they are worth .2 - .3 on average, but have yet to see anyone post back to back timeslips.

 

I to have 2.73s, yes they do feel slow . I installed a HPP programmar and now the car has way more bottom end and has more drivebilty. I took it to the track and went from 8.90s to 8.70s just with the HPP. I was really surprised at how the car feels now. The 273s are harder to hook on the street now.

 

I had a converter with 273s and I didnt get any bogging around town. TCI 3500 would wake those 273s right up.

 

i did the works, ssf3500 and 3.42 (done right). It feels good, and annihilates the 555R's at the (street,strip).

gas mileage with a verter in city will suck anyways, so might as well enjoy it.

 

auto= 3.73s
m6= 4.10s