3.23 -> 3.42 question
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 196
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From: Sacramento
3.23 -> 3.42 question Hi,
I have an 2002 a4 ss w/ 3.23 gears and I'd like to go to 3.42s. I called my local diff shop, they said 3.23 was as deep as I could going with a wide gear.
Reconciling that with a post I've seen here (https://ls1tech.com/forums/gears-axles/335608-2-73-3-42-swap-help.html), I assume this means I have a series-2 diff.
Do I for sure have a series-2, or is it possible I have a series-3?
I am just trying to figure out ahead of time what parts I need to swap from 3.23's to 3.42s, so any shortcuts to that answer would be surely appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
I have an 2002 a4 ss w/ 3.23 gears and I'd like to go to 3.42s. I called my local diff shop, they said 3.23 was as deep as I could going with a wide gear.
Reconciling that with a post I've seen here (https://ls1tech.com/forums/gears-axles/335608-2-73-3-42-swap-help.html), I assume this means I have a series-2 diff.
Do I for sure have a series-2, or is it possible I have a series-3?
I am just trying to figure out ahead of time what parts I need to swap from 3.23's to 3.42s, so any shortcuts to that answer would be surely appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 669
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From: Charlotte, NC
3.08 and less = 2 serise
3.23 and more = 3 serise.
Either way you can get gears to fit any serise. Hell you can get a set of 4.56's for a serise 2 if you want.
Get some 3.73's and don't listen to anything that shop has to say, ever
3.23 and more = 3 serise.
Either way you can get gears to fit any serise. Hell you can get a set of 4.56's for a serise 2 if you want.
Get some 3.73's and don't listen to anything that shop has to say, ever
11 & 7 Second Clubs
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Motorhome, Freeways, Truckstops, Pits
The performance difference between 3.23 and 3.42 is too small to justify changing r/p gears. Go to 3.73.
Originally Posted by Slart
Hi,
I have an 2002 a4 ss w/ 3.23 gears and I'd like to go to 3.42s. I called my local diff shop, they said 3.23 was as deep as I could going with a wide gear.
Reconciling that with a post I've seen here (https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=335608), I assume this means I have a series-2 diff.
Do I for sure have a series-2, or is it possible I have a series-3?
I am just trying to figure out ahead of time what parts I need to swap from 3.23's to 3.42s, so any shortcuts to that answer would be surely appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
I have an 2002 a4 ss w/ 3.23 gears and I'd like to go to 3.42s. I called my local diff shop, they said 3.23 was as deep as I could going with a wide gear.
Reconciling that with a post I've seen here (https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=335608), I assume this means I have a series-2 diff.
Do I for sure have a series-2, or is it possible I have a series-3?
I am just trying to figure out ahead of time what parts I need to swap from 3.23's to 3.42s, so any shortcuts to that answer would be surely appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
Originally Posted by radio626active
...Im upgrading my gears from 3.23 to 3.42s.
The only gain you'll get is from weight savings as your wallet will be much lighter!
3.73s will help, but buy a converter and keep the 3.23s
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 196
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From: Sacramento
How can you say there is no performance gain? Clearly you are incorrect.
Perhaps you are saying it's just not worthwhile; Maybe it's not worthwhile to you, but I have higher streetability standards than you (as evidenced by your 4200 stall converter).
Perhaps you are saying it's just not worthwhile; Maybe it's not worthwhile to you, but I have higher streetability standards than you (as evidenced by your 4200 stall converter).
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Launching!
Joined: May 2005
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From: Arizona
My car is a street car and is never raced. I'm not bragging or being a jerk but paying the bill really isn't a issue for me as I really have no budget issues. I don't care about how much the mod costs. There has to be some advantage of going with 3.42 vs 3.23 on a street ride. I find most of you guys on here have awesome racing rides. I don't care about eta times, at all. I want a fast street car, that sounds mean, and can haul butt. My mechanic suggested I not go to 3.73 since 99.99% of my driving is highway.
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From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
Originally Posted by Slart
How can you say there is no performance gain? Clearly you are incorrect. Perhaps you are saying it's just not worthwhile; Maybe it's not worthwhile to you, but I have higher streetability standards than you (as evidenced by your 4200 stall converter).
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
Originally Posted by Ragtop 99
3.73s will help, but buy a converter and keep the 3.23s
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 196
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From: Sacramento
Radio is making the exact same point I'm saying. Sure 3.23->3.42 has minimal gain, but to say there is "NO" gain is plain wrong.
It's more fair to say it's not worthwhile for the money, but the thing you have to keep in mind is for a lot of people on here your f-body is your hotrod, and you're doing everything you can to make it as fast as possible, and you're willing to make compromises.
I have 2 hotrods (both run 9's), my f-body is my daily driver and it runs 13's and is nearly stock and quite reliable. I shouldn't be modifying it at all or I'll have three hotrods and no reliable cars.
My point is not everybody is trying to turn their f-body into the fastest car they can. Some of us need something to get to work with.
It's more fair to say it's not worthwhile for the money, but the thing you have to keep in mind is for a lot of people on here your f-body is your hotrod, and you're doing everything you can to make it as fast as possible, and you're willing to make compromises.
I have 2 hotrods (both run 9's), my f-body is my daily driver and it runs 13's and is nearly stock and quite reliable. I shouldn't be modifying it at all or I'll have three hotrods and no reliable cars.
My point is not everybody is trying to turn their f-body into the fastest car they can. Some of us need something to get to work with.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Seattle,Wa.
I've had 2.73, 3.42 and I now have 3.73 with an A4. With 3.73 gears my rpms @ 70 mph is 2500rpms, it's plenty liveable for me. If you spend most of your time driving @ or over 70 mph then 3.42 would be good. At 60 mph with 3.42 the drone will make you nuts, you will wish you had 3.73s Trust me on that one.
Trust me on that one. Launching!
Joined: May 2005
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From: Arizona
Thanks fast eddie, thats cool to know. In AZ our speed limits are 75, I rarely keep it at 60 mph. I didnt mean to hijack his thread but Ive posted this same tread and its hard to get a answer. I dont care myself about costs, I dont care about racing, or wasting money if Im happy. I just want to know, if those 3.42s are best on the hwy, and someone answered it!!!!!
TECH Fanatic
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From: Seattle,Wa.
radio626active,
Here in the Seattle area most of my driving on the interstate is between 60 to 70 mph, very seldom do I get an opportunity to go over 70mph. Gear sets for a 10 bolt are cheap compared to other mods. Once I figure out what gears I want for sure then I can get a 9" moser or a 12 bolt. Next week I'm going to have a set of 4.10s installed then I'll know for sure. I'm curious to run the 4.10s on the highway and @ the track.
Here in the Seattle area most of my driving on the interstate is between 60 to 70 mph, very seldom do I get an opportunity to go over 70mph. Gear sets for a 10 bolt are cheap compared to other mods. Once I figure out what gears I want for sure then I can get a 9" moser or a 12 bolt. Next week I'm going to have a set of 4.10s installed
then I'll know for sure. I'm curious to run the 4.10s on the highway and @ the track. 
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 72
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From: Steubenville, OH
3.23 to 3.43 = a difference of around 190 RPMs at 70 MPH. Whereas 3.23 to 3.73 = 450 RPMs @ 70 MPH. This is based on a 1:1 transmission ratio.
I'm wrestling with the same question. The Camaro isn't my hot rod, it's my work car. Less than 200 RPMs isn't really much difference. I think I'd be disappointed unless I did the 3.73. Definitely noticeable, but not obnoxious.
I'm wrestling with the same question. The Camaro isn't my hot rod, it's my work car. Less than 200 RPMs isn't really much difference. I think I'd be disappointed unless I did the 3.73. Definitely noticeable, but not obnoxious.
Originally Posted by Slart
Hi,
I have an 2002 a4 ss w/ 3.23 gears and I'd like to go to 3.42s. I called my local diff shop, they said 3.23 was as deep as I could going with a wide gear.
Reconciling that with a post I've seen here (https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=335608), I assume this means I have a series-2 diff.
Do I for sure have a series-2, or is it possible I have a series-3?
I am just trying to figure out ahead of time what parts I need to swap from 3.23's to 3.42s, so any shortcuts to that answer would be surely appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
I have an 2002 a4 ss w/ 3.23 gears and I'd like to go to 3.42s. I called my local diff shop, they said 3.23 was as deep as I could going with a wide gear.
Reconciling that with a post I've seen here (https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=335608), I assume this means I have a series-2 diff.
Do I for sure have a series-2, or is it possible I have a series-3?
I am just trying to figure out ahead of time what parts I need to swap from 3.23's to 3.42s, so any shortcuts to that answer would be surely appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
This will keep your set up streetable than 3.23's and a converter. 
Originally Posted by Slart
I have 2 hotrods (both run 9's), my f-body is my daily driver and it runs 13's and is nearly stock and quite reliable. I shouldn't be modifying it at all or I'll have three hotrods and no reliable cars.
My point is not everybody is trying to turn their f-body into the fastest car they can. Some of us need something to get to work with.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
> If that's your arguement, why even bother switching the gears at all?
Because I want it go to faster. Duh
> Or, better yet, why even have a performance street car if you have 2 9-second 'hot rods'?
Because at some point they get unreliable, and then you end up driving a slow car. Then you want to make the slow car faster so you dont lose races.
You new here or somethin?
Because I want it go to faster. Duh
> Or, better yet, why even have a performance street car if you have 2 9-second 'hot rods'?
Because at some point they get unreliable, and then you end up driving a slow car. Then you want to make the slow car faster so you dont lose races.
You new here or somethin?
