342s in a automatic? and 10bolt "tune up"
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On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 183
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From: cullman,AL
342s in a automatic? and 10bolt "tune up" ok a jacked my pinion gear up and have a chance to get some 3.42s for less than it would cost to get replacement factory gears. I've heard the gains are negligable with 3.42s but I was jsut wondering if there will be any gains at all. and what else should I buy while going into my 10bolt to repair it. its got 100kmiles on it and just wondering what else would be a good idea to replace whiel its opened up.
car is a 99 trans am A4
car is a 99 trans am A4
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 515
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From: DETROIT,MI
I got 3.42 gears installed last year. I originally had 2.73 gears, My 1/4 trap speed increased a little with the 3.42 gears! I tighted the converter up a little. You will have to have some tuning done with the 3.42 gears! Would i do it again probably not!
It's going to be an off-the-line improvement but only
if you can hook it up. With 3.42s my 1st gear is no
good and neither is the bottom of 2nd on Goodyears.
I swapped from 3.23s only because I was replacing
the Torsen chunk so it was a no-cost (labor) thing to
do. I got factory 3.42s used and they have been fine.
If you want to keep the 10-bolt I recommend getting
a master rebuild kit and hard pinion spacer from Ratech.
These will make the rear basically as new as the gears
you put in it. Expect to see a pile o' shavings from the
Torsen, don't know how much of it has to shave away
before you call it toast.
3.42/3.23 = +6% acceleration at same motor torque
3.42/2.73 = +25% acceleration.
You will not run out of 3rd gear in the 1/4 with 3.42s.
Not with any kind of motor that a 10-bolt can stand,
anyway.
if you can hook it up. With 3.42s my 1st gear is no
good and neither is the bottom of 2nd on Goodyears.
I swapped from 3.23s only because I was replacing
the Torsen chunk so it was a no-cost (labor) thing to
do. I got factory 3.42s used and they have been fine.
If you want to keep the 10-bolt I recommend getting
a master rebuild kit and hard pinion spacer from Ratech.
These will make the rear basically as new as the gears
you put in it. Expect to see a pile o' shavings from the
Torsen, don't know how much of it has to shave away
before you call it toast.
3.42/3.23 = +6% acceleration at same motor torque
3.42/2.73 = +25% acceleration.
You will not run out of 3rd gear in the 1/4 with 3.42s.
Not with any kind of motor that a 10-bolt can stand,
anyway.
