Gears & Axles Driveshafts | Rearends | Differentials | Gears | 12 Bolt | 9 Inch | Dana

3.42 to 3.73

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-03-2012, 09:23 PM
  #1  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
 
smahlum_21's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default 3.42 to 3.73

Wondering if anyone has switched from 3.42s to 73s. Wondering if it is even worth the time and money. 4.10 just seems to low to me for a street car.
Old 06-03-2012, 09:35 PM
  #2  
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
ramair 1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I did that exact gear swap .I would do it again ,money well spent.If you got the a4 373 is where you wana be .410 is better fitted with the m6.Cost me about 275 in parts and 250 labor to get installed.
Old 06-03-2012, 11:48 PM
  #3  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
 
smahlum_21's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I do have a M6, 4.10 just seems so low to me.
Old 06-04-2012, 12:07 AM
  #4  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (28)
 
whytryz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Im running 4.11s in my A4 and its perfect around town, cruise @2000 rpm is around 50mph.
Old 06-04-2012, 10:05 AM
  #5  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (5)
 
Camaro Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Monroe, Iowa
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Anything less than 4.10's with an M6 would be a waste IMO and you would hardly notice any change. The only way I would go with less than a 4.10 gear is if you are making a lot of power or running N2O. The 4.10's are VERY streetable. Also, if you want to do a cam swap in the future you will be very happy you went with more aggressive gearing.
Old 06-04-2012, 01:13 PM
  #6  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (27)
 
gillbot's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: East Palestine, OH - USA
Posts: 2,397
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I wouldn't bother swapping from a 3.42 to a 3.73. I went from a 2.73 to a 3.42 and WOW, but from a 2.73 to a 3.23 you couldn't even really tell.
Old 06-04-2012, 02:13 PM
  #7  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
RealLiveMD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

there is a definite difference going from 3.42 to 3.90. about 2 car lengths in a street race which is about .2-3 at the track.
Old 06-04-2012, 06:08 PM
  #8  
The Scammer Hammer
iTrader: (49)
 
dr_whigham's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 6,707
Received 20 Likes on 16 Posts

Default

I'm torn between a 3.90's or 4.10's myself. I do A LOT of interstate driving.....
Old 06-04-2012, 08:59 PM
  #9  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
speed_demon24's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 4,609
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Going from 3.73's to 4.10's was one of the best mods I did. I wasn't expecting to feel much, but it was huge. I can only imagine what going from 3.42's to 4.10's is like.
Old 06-04-2012, 09:29 PM
  #10  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (11)
 
Floorman279's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Wilmington, DE
Posts: 3,676
Received 157 Likes on 128 Posts

Default

well my car was stock except intake, and i went from 342s to 373s m6 car....i noticed a good difference and prefer it over 410s
Old 06-05-2012, 09:38 AM
  #11  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (27)
 
blackls1ta00's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: kittanning,pa
Posts: 905
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

or 342s to 430s oh yeah cant wait for mine!!just run a bigger tire.
Old 06-05-2012, 11:53 AM
  #12  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
 
karpetcm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Glendale
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I had 4.10's in my camaro and loved it, really fun to drive. I was getting 240 miles to a full tank mostly stop and go traffic. I have to agree with above if you go with a cam in the future probably a good idea to go to 4.10's. Wanted to state something although you can break your rear end even with the stock 3.42's you increase that chance of breaking it for sure going to 4.10's. I fortunantly never had a problem with it either way you will be happy with a gear swap.
Old 06-05-2012, 12:02 PM
  #13  
FormerVendor
 
Sales1@Texas-speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 890
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

I definitely agree with going ahead and making the jump to 4.10s. Its going to make a huge difference on how the car performs.
Old 06-05-2012, 12:57 PM
  #14  
The Scammer Hammer
iTrader: (49)
 
dr_whigham's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 6,707
Received 20 Likes on 16 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by karpetcm
I had 4.10's in my camaro and loved it, really fun to drive. I was getting 240 miles to a full tank mostly stop and go traffic. I have to agree with above if you go with a cam in the future probably a good idea to go to 4.10's. Wanted to state something although you can break your rear end even with the stock 3.42's you increase that chance of breaking it for sure going to 4.10's. I fortunantly never had a problem with it either way you will be happy with a gear swap.

Why would there be an increased risk of breaking? You're giving the rear a mechanical advantage. Only thing I could think of it the smaller teeth?
Old 06-05-2012, 02:54 PM
  #15  
TECH Enthusiast
 
99monguse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: OHIO
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by gillbot
I wouldn't bother swapping from a 3.42 to a 3.73. I went from a 2.73 to a 3.42 and WOW, but from a 2.73 to a 3.23 you couldn't even really tell.
I disagree...2.73 to 3.23 is a good difference
Old 06-05-2012, 07:37 PM
  #16  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
VincesSS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Seminole, FL
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I went from 3.42 to 3.73 in my m6 car and noticed a descent difference, the car just felt lighter upon accelerating and going up overpasses just felt easier. Couldn't tell you if it improved at all on the track with any certainty.

I'm now going from 3.73s to 4.10s because I took the n2o off my car. I'm sure that is a big difference.

Really what needs to be calculated is estimated trap speed in the 1/4 and what gear ratio achieves that # and your redline. There is no rule of thumb when it comes to gearing IMO.
Old 06-05-2012, 09:40 PM
  #17  
TECH Regular
 
oldmano2z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

dr whigham, i do alot of highway also and did 6spd swap and retained the 3.23 from the auto. it started whining and went to S60 the other day. and was torn between 3.54 and 3.73 and looked at the difference where i run at around 80mph and decided with the 3.54 for down shift purposes from 6th to 5th to 4th @ 80mph it was like a 400rpm difference between the 3.23 and the 3.54 and even higher with the 3.73. i based my decision on the way i drive the highway i didn't want to high of gears for down shift passes.for example shifting into first and letting clutch out to soon at a stop. the oldman....
Old 06-06-2012, 07:54 PM
  #18  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
2win_SS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have a M6. I'm getting ready to swap gears. But is ther a big difference between 3.90 and 4.10? I plan on H/C/I down the road. Nothing to Radical tho. I would appreciate any input from anyone with past knowledge on the 2...



Quick Reply: 3.42 to 3.73



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:52 PM.