jdog36

I am having trouble deciding on what gear to go to from my stock 2.73's. I have a 02 T/A convert with only a few mods for now. I am looking to spend under $1000.00 for my next mod. my bro tells me I should go with a 125 shot of Nitros and I think it may be wiser to go with a gear upgrade while the car is still close to stock. I just can't decide either 3.42's or 3.73's because I do sometimes like to take a cruse on the interstate and not sure if the 3.73's would make to many Rpm's at highway speeds. I know I will have to change the stock rear when I do heads & cam but for now just trying to get best Bang fo Buck.

thanks for advice;

jdog36

cobrakillerta

iTrader: (4)

Best thing to get right now would be a nice size converter...you'll notice that way more then the gears
Go with either an TCI SSF3500 or Yank SS3600

You will be more then happy

99gator

iTrader: (6)

I have Richmond 3.73s. Here is a comparison. Right now you should be running 80 mph at about 1600-1800 RPM...right? With 3.73s you will be about 2800 RPM. It is pretty loud on the interstate, which I do a lot, especially with the Borla. Top End: stock I did 147 at 4300 RPM(i think...still had plenty to give it); My top end now is about 130 at 47-4900 RPM. That is REALLY loud, it could do more i guess, but dont need top end, want acceleration. To do again I would go with 3.42s, but then again....if I wanted a quiet ride I coulda got one! I got everything, installed for $530 three years ago and no problems. Hope this helps.

foff667

iTrader: (2)

i say go with the gears...with my 2.73's i cut nearly 7 tenths off my 1/4 time.

lata
Bill

Silly02SS

with a $1,000 bucks you could do gears and nitrous

jdog36

Thank's for taking the time to reply and give advice-can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I really am leaning hard towards the 3.42's. I am not convinced that there will be a noticable difference between the 3.73's & 3.42's. Plus when the wife drives it she probally want notice it.

P.S. What are LTrims??? I am a little new at all this/but it's cool!!!

P.S.S. Is there a superior set of gears other than the OEM'S. I owm a office equipment business an from what I have seen take place in the last 10 years there is usally 1 or 2 major manufactors that supply all the big guy's.

ANYBODY BEEN RUNNING A CERTIAN NAME BRAND OF GEARS THAT YOU WOULD RECOMEND?????

Thanks,

jdog36

99gator

iTrader: (6)

Again...no problems with my Richmond Racing Gears (3.73) and I've had them for 3 years.

99gator

iTrader: (6)

By the way.....if you swap the gears, I am pretty sure you need a computer mod as well. I have the Hypertech Power Programmer III. Anyone disagree?

Fast Eddie's 02 T/A vert.

I put 3.42s in my T/A convertible and i love them.I went from 2.73s.I'm turning 2200 rpms @ 70 mph.They also took 2 tenths off my 1/8th time.I'm extremely happy with the gear swap.3.42s will wake the car up.

meatyz

iTrader: (2)

my vote goes for 373's i went from 273 gears to 373 what a difference acelerates so much better and is not bad at all on the highway in OD. downshifts much stronger, instead of catching at 35mph strong in first gear you will catch strong at 25mph,2nd gear 45-55,and third will catch real strong at 90mph and pull harder then the stock gears i had my car over 150mph with the gears and it had more i also had the hypertech programmer. with 273 gears i would average 102-103.8 best with an airlid, with the gears 107-108.8 best on street tires... i would go 373

Ragtop 99

iTrader: (7)

For pure speed, your bro is right - the 125 shot will do the most.

If you are going to get a 12 bolt later, DO NOT waste money on gears now. Save it toward a good rear. Buy a good torque converter. the gains are HUGE and your highway revs will be unchanged. A Yank SS3600 or TCI 3500 or PI 2800 will transform your car.

Brandon_TA

iTrader: (1)

I'd say 3.73's if you dont do alot of driving.. I was going to get 3.73's but i drive atleast 120 miles/day just to work and back. So i went with 3.42's. With my stock 3.23's i was averaging 21 mpg. now i average 20 mpg. i lost 1 mpg, Oh well.
You'll be able to tell a difference with whatever you go for, but think about how much you drive and consider the fact that the price of gas going up before you make up your mind.

P.S. I have a set of 3.23's F/S if anyones interested.

Fenster

iTrader: (3)

If you don't drive the car long distances on the interstate everyday, or that much for that matter go w/ the 3.73s. If you do the 3.42s will be great for you.

I am gonna agree w/ the comment earlier on the converter though. I met a guy last year in Atlanta who was running 11.7s on stock bottom end 4000 stall, 3.42s, and MAC Midlengths!!! Can't complain about that.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

To me, it all depends on how much highway driving you do. I love my 3.42s, but I still drive around in town in 3rd a lot, because the rpms in OD are just too low below 40mph and the car bogs. Would have been perfect with 3.73s, but didn't want 2800rpms at 80 mph. So if i't mostly in town like me, 3.73s. A lot of highway, 3.42s. One thing for sure, either one will be a huge improvement over the miserable 2.73s.