2.73-3.42 rear end swap?
08-18-2018, 01:07 AM
#1
Teching In
Thread Starter
2.73-3.42 rear end swap? Hello guys I have two ws6 trans am one of them I might be selling so I’d like to swap the rear ends.
First car is 1998 ws6 M6 3.42 rear end gears
car I keeping is 2002 ws6 collectors edition A4 2.73 rear end gears I think? ( Bad bearings ).
Is is this a easy swap? Will I run into any issues and what will I have to do to complete the swap.
Me and a experienced mechanic Will be doing the swap.
Thanks guys
First car is 1998 ws6 M6 3.42 rear end gears
car I keeping is 2002 ws6 collectors edition A4 2.73 rear end gears I think? ( Bad bearings ).
Is is this a easy swap? Will I run into any issues and what will I have to do to complete the swap.
Me and a experienced mechanic Will be doing the swap.
Thanks guys
08-18-2018, 07:05 AM
#2
Mechanically an easy swap.
Since the 98 is an M6,3.42s' is for sure. The 02 WS6 could have 3.23s'. Check the RPO sticker on door jamb. 2.73 is GU2,3.23 is GU5.
Potential incompatability is the braking system. ABS only cars were 3 channel,ABS & TC(traction control) were 4 channel. 3 channel had 1 sensor on top of rear end. 4 channel had 2 sensors,one at each end of the rear end at the brake backing plate. What is the 98 and what is the 02 as far as which channel ? BIG ISSUE !!!
2.73s' typically had a steel driveshaft,3.23s' had an aluminum driveshaft.
Since the 98 is an M6,3.42s' is for sure. The 02 WS6 could have 3.23s'. Check the RPO sticker on door jamb. 2.73 is GU2,3.23 is GU5.
Potential incompatability is the braking system. ABS only cars were 3 channel,ABS & TC(traction control) were 4 channel. 3 channel had 1 sensor on top of rear end. 4 channel had 2 sensors,one at each end of the rear end at the brake backing plate. What is the 98 and what is the 02 as far as which channel ? BIG ISSUE !!!
2.73s' typically had a steel driveshaft,3.23s' had an aluminum driveshaft.
08-18-2018, 10:58 AM
#3
LS1Tech Administrator
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Schiller Park, IL Member: #317
Posts: 32,033
Likes: 0
Received 1,483 Likes
on
1,067 Posts
3.23 (GU5) was a required option for every LS1 WS6 car with an auto (MX0, M30) transmission. If the car is an original WS6, and has its original rear, then it definitely already has 3.23s.
Having said that, a 3.23 to 3.42 swap isn't worth the hassle unless something is actually wrong with the 3.23 rear and you have a good 3.42 rear sitting around. I do see that you mentioned "bad bearings" on the auto car. But since you're swapping with another car which you want to sell, that problem would just be transferred to the other car and reduce its value. If you were just planning to part out the other car, then this swap would make much more sense. Otherwise, it's a lot of work to R&R the rears in both of these cars, and both would need tuning to correct the speedometer (and shift points on the auto car). Plus, as FirstYrLS1Z mentioned above, there will be further issues if one car has TCS and the other does not.
Having said that, a 3.23 to 3.42 swap isn't worth the hassle unless something is actually wrong with the 3.23 rear and you have a good 3.42 rear sitting around. I do see that you mentioned "bad bearings" on the auto car. But since you're swapping with another car which you want to sell, that problem would just be transferred to the other car and reduce its value. If you were just planning to part out the other car, then this swap would make much more sense. Otherwise, it's a lot of work to R&R the rears in both of these cars, and both would need tuning to correct the speedometer (and shift points on the auto car). Plus, as FirstYrLS1Z mentioned above, there will be further issues if one car has TCS and the other does not.
08-19-2018, 06:15 AM
#4
How many miles on each car ?
98 and earlier had Auburn posi, 99 and later had Torsen posi. Torsens don't wear out but they do break. Auburns, because of spring loaded friction cone clutches, do wear out. As the cones wear out, they move further(apart) into the carrier case, reducing the 'posi' effect.
98 and earlier had Auburn posi, 99 and later had Torsen posi. Torsens don't wear out but they do break. Auburns, because of spring loaded friction cone clutches, do wear out. As the cones wear out, they move further(apart) into the carrier case, reducing the 'posi' effect.