View Poll Results: What gears, if any, should I run?
3.73s
182
66.18%
4.10s
52
18.91%
4.56s
23
8.36%
Keep the stockers!
18
6.55%
Voters: 275. You may not vote on this poll
3.73, 4.10 or 4.56 in an A4 daily driver
06-04-2006, 09:04 PM
#24
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Originally Posted by 2002BLKWS6
I agree with what calongo_ss said.
If your stock gears are 3.23's, I'd probably spend that money on modding something else. In a daily driver I think you'll be fine with 3.23's and your 3500 stall (which i'm assuming has a STR of at least 2.1). If you have 2.73's, you'll probably want to go to a different gearing. If thats the case, I'd probably go ahead and get the 3.73's.
As far as your MPH and what RPM you're at with each gear ratio, there used to be a link to a gearing chart somewhere out there, but I'm too lazy to search for it.
Since I saved that chart to my desktop, here are some figures from that chart for A4's, and an approx MPH at each RPM for each of those gearing ratios when in 4th gear
RPM 3.73 3.23
1700 50 57
1800 53 61
1900 56 64
2000 58 68
2100 61 71
2200 64 74
2300 67 78
2400 70 81
2500 73 84
I had the same delimma as you a recently, but I opted to keep my stock 3.23's in my daily driver mainly b/c I travel alot. That may change in the future, but for now its about whats more practical for me. It wasn't worth the time and money in my situation switching to 3.73's for a minimal gain at the track when I only go like twice a year.
But You gotta do whats best for you.
I'm sure you'll get some more good responses from folks, so Good Luck!!!!
If your stock gears are 3.23's, I'd probably spend that money on modding something else. In a daily driver I think you'll be fine with 3.23's and your 3500 stall (which i'm assuming has a STR of at least 2.1). If you have 2.73's, you'll probably want to go to a different gearing. If thats the case, I'd probably go ahead and get the 3.73's.
As far as your MPH and what RPM you're at with each gear ratio, there used to be a link to a gearing chart somewhere out there, but I'm too lazy to search for it.
Since I saved that chart to my desktop, here are some figures from that chart for A4's, and an approx MPH at each RPM for each of those gearing ratios when in 4th gear
RPM 3.73 3.23
1700 50 57
1800 53 61
1900 56 64
2000 58 68
2100 61 71
2200 64 74
2300 67 78
2400 70 81
2500 73 84
I had the same delimma as you a recently, but I opted to keep my stock 3.23's in my daily driver mainly b/c I travel alot. That may change in the future, but for now its about whats more practical for me. It wasn't worth the time and money in my situation switching to 3.73's for a minimal gain at the track when I only go like twice a year.
But You gotta do whats best for you.
I'm sure you'll get some more good responses from folks, so Good Luck!!!!
06-05-2006, 12:13 PM
#25
Originally Posted by zlover129
The RPM's would be higher then that, you have to take into consideration his stall, i wouldn't go higher then 3.73's, for a DD i wouldnt have put in a stall that high either, i hate stalls absolutely hate them
edit: that's on stock z28 rims with 245/50/16 (stock) tires.
06-06-2006, 12:13 PM
#26
Why are so many against 3.73's in a daily driver that drives on the highway? I know lots of people that drive 3.73's on the highway on a daily basis and have no complaints. BTW, I just purchased 3.73's for my 1997 Formula.
06-11-2006, 09:09 PM
#27
I'm going to go with 4.10s, 4400 stall and a 27in drag radial in my highway driven daily driver. If you're gonna pay to go fast, might as well go as fast as you can! Screw mpg, all the gas will be gone someday and I want to say I had a big part in it 
06-14-2006, 12:12 PM
#28
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I changed from 3.23s to 3.73s about a month ago. Last weekend was my first road trip on the freeway and my gas mileage actually went UP from the stock gears, with nothing else being changed. I used to get 25ish mpg with the A/C off and cruising about 75 and about 23 mpg with the A/C on. On this last road trip, I netted about 24 mpg with the A/C blasting and churning 75 mph. Oh, and this was also with my 160 thermostat so the motor was also running nice and cool (which tends to lower gas mileage).
I know this isn't typical of most cars, but I really don't have any explaination other than my motor was turning at a more efficent rpm even though it was higher, but either way I'm not complaining nor regret the move to the 3.73s.
I know this isn't typical of most cars, but I really don't have any explaination other than my motor was turning at a more efficent rpm even though it was higher, but either way I'm not complaining nor regret the move to the 3.73s.
06-14-2006, 12:51 PM
#29
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My vote goes for 4.10. I've had them in my car for 2 years now. Yea higher gears cruise better... but... it's a lot of fun with 4.10's. Also, with that size cam with a stall, like someone else said, you really do need 4.10's to get the most out of it, otherwise it will probably be a dog off the line. just my .02. Good luck either way you go.
Jeremy
Jeremy
06-14-2006, 01:06 PM
#30
I'd think that 3.73's or the 4.10's would probably be o.k, not sure if they make them for a 10 bolt, but 3.90's right in the middle may also be an option.
Personally, I'm gonna have 4.10's in my car with a th400.. no overdrive or lockup converter. But, I'm not even thinking of driving my car everyday either, even though it will see a couple trips on the highway of 75 or so miles one way.
Personally, I'm gonna have 4.10's in my car with a th400.. no overdrive or lockup converter. But, I'm not even thinking of driving my car everyday either, even though it will see a couple trips on the highway of 75 or so miles one way.
06-15-2006, 05:36 PM
#31
They make the 3.90s for a 10bolt but it's a 3 series carrier. I have a 2 series so they aren't an option for me. I was told by a buddy of mine that since I have 2.73 gears and decided to go with 4.10s they would be extremely thin and more prone to breaking. Is this true?? I have found AAM 4.10s for a 2 series carrier that I think I am going to go with-will these be a reliable set of gears?
Could someone WITH 4.10s IN AN A4 post up some rpm readings with 4.10 gears at 50, 60 and 70mph? Thanks
Could someone WITH 4.10s IN AN A4 post up some rpm readings with 4.10 gears at 50, 60 and 70mph? Thanks
06-15-2006, 06:07 PM
#32
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Originally Posted by SVT THIS
I'm going to go with 4.10s, 4400 stall and a 27in drag radial in my highway driven daily driver. If you're gonna pay to go fast, might as well go as fast as you can! Screw mpg, all the gas will be gone someday and I want to say I had a big part in it
06-17-2006, 07:22 AM
#33
Originally Posted by SVT THIS
They make the 3.90s for a 10bolt but it's a 3 series carrier. I have a 2 series so they aren't an option for me. I was told by a buddy of mine that since I have 2.73 gears and decided to go with 4.10s they would be extremely thin and more prone to breaking. Is this true?? I have found AAM 4.10s for a 2 series carrier that I think I am going to go with-will these be a reliable set of gears?
Could someone WITH 4.10s IN AN A4 post up some rpm readings with 4.10 gears at 50, 60 and 70mph? Thanks
Could someone WITH 4.10s IN AN A4 post up some rpm readings with 4.10 gears at 50, 60 and 70mph? Thanks
I don't think any 4.10's are really reliable in a 10 blot, and with your carrier your friend is right, they are gonna be really thin... I wouldn't go more then 3.73 with that carrier, or any 10 bolt for that matter. If you really want higher then 3.73, save your $ and put it towards a 12 bolt, 9 inch, dana60, or even a converted 8.8 ford..... you won't regret it in the long run.
06-19-2006, 04:12 PM
#35
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Thunder Racing does offer a 3.90 gear ration for the 10 bolt (only place I've ever seen these). Might be a viable alternative for your case!
http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...&vid=3&pcid=67
Under Motive Gears
http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...&vid=3&pcid=67
Under Motive Gears
06-19-2006, 10:28 PM
#36
Thats for a 3 series carrier. I have stock 2.73s making me a 2 series. Sucks, I saw those a while ago and was pretty pumped..
Thanks for posting the link though, I appreciate it! Anybody know about "thick" Richmond 4.10s or any other brand making thicker gears for the 2 series 10 bolt?
Thanks for posting the link though, I appreciate it! Anybody know about "thick" Richmond 4.10s or any other brand making thicker gears for the 2 series 10 bolt?
06-20-2006, 03:04 PM
#38
The thing that maks the 10 bolt weak is the housing being small, the ring gear doesn't have enough size to allow alot of teeth to be meshing together at once, causing the weakness. No matter what gearset you go with, the higher the ratio, the weaker the rear is gonna be.
Keep street tires on the thing and it will be fine, but once a sticky tire goes on, the rear's days are gonna be numbered. Auto cars aren't as bad as stick cars... but 400+ hp, a 3500+ lb car with traction, will find the weak link eventually.
Keep street tires on the thing and it will be fine, but once a sticky tire goes on, the rear's days are gonna be numbered. Auto cars aren't as bad as stick cars... but 400+ hp, a 3500+ lb car with traction, will find the weak link eventually.
06-20-2006, 05:37 PM
#39
Well, I have a new GM 10bolt (w/roughly 10k miles on it). I plan on having to get a 12 bolt at some point though. I figured with 4.10s and a rear end girdle I should be alright for a year or so. I do run pretty sticky tires daily too, MT ET Streets. So, I should just go with the 3.73s I assume?