StreetLethal

I've found a NBM TA that I'm very interested in. I have to check the RPO codes when I go look at it to see if has 2.73s or 3.23s in it. I would prefer the 3.23s. My question is...how much of a difference does it make? Is there a noticeable speed difference? If it was a good deal, but didn't have the preferable gear, would that be a deciding factor?

Input is appreciated.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

I've owned both 2.73 and 3.23 A4 F-bodies (actually, two of each). I can tell you first hand that the difference is barely noticeable on the street. The 3.23 car will come off the line harder if you put both on a drag radial, but on street tires either gear will cause wheel spin if you mash the gas with basic radials and even a stock engine.

From a roll, I actually prefer the 2.73s because they allow for a downshift to lower gears at higher speeds than 3.23 (example: at 35mph, the 3.23 car will only go back to 2nd at WOT, while the 2.73 car will downshift back to 1st....and thus pull a lot harder).

Keep in mind that the 4L60E auto in these cars has a very aggressive 1st gear ratio (3.06:1), so even a 2.73 diff can provide for a pretty decent launch behind this transmission.

At the track, you'll likely see no more than a tenth or so difference between those two ratios.

Overall, to answer your question, I would never let gear ratio be a deciding factor on whether or not to buy the car, because a) it can be changed if you don't like it, and b) there is very little real world difference between these two ratios with a 4L60E.

green28

iTrader: (8)

This. My car had 2.73 gears for 5 years and I've driven a 3.23 geared car a few times and couldn't tell much of a difference on the street. And like he said, you can always swap gears later. Although my times only dropped about a tenth at the track after changing from 2.73's to 3.73's.

And added bonus is I got pretty good mileage with 2.73's when the car only had a few bolt-ons.

TooLateVTEC

iTrader: (2)

I wouldnt let gear ratio ruin a purchase for me, I say if its the car you want for a price you think is good than go for it.

StreetLethal

Thanks for the input, that is pretty much what I needed to know.