3.73s?

[warnerTA]

alright so i am lookin into buying some 3.73s and i am not sure if they will work for my car? like i just was looking to buy the gears and not the housing and everything i want to use the stock housing. i dont know much about gears, my car has 3.42 right now. can someone fill me in on what to buy?

thanks

[warnerTA]

what model do i need? sorry for all the questions but i know nothin about gears. do i need one of these k10, k15, k20? and a 10 bolt? or 12 bolt?

[Wooshie]

I recommend using Motive gear. Go to a reputable speed shop and tell them what you have and they can order it. I know I built a brand new rear end out of an 01 ss housing and I needed a gear for a 2 series carrier. I'm not sure if you need a 2 series or 3 series gear. Like I said a good shop can tell you.

[El Super Kevbot]

Going from 3.42 to 3.73 isn't worth it. $400+ for maybe 1 tenth? Money better spent elsewhere imho.

[LT1Blackbird]

You need gears that will fit a GM 10 bolt, if its still the stock rear in the car. Most places that sell them will list them as gears for the F-body. From what I have been told the GM/Motive gears are the best for low noise and good quality. You will also need an install kit, which has new bearings, crush collar, etc. in it.

[Spartan7]

GM 10 bolt, 7.5"/7.625". Since you already have 3.42's, you have a 3 series carrier. Motive seem to be the best bang for the buck, but GM/Yukon gears will be the quietest (more expensive though). Make sure you get a reputable shop to install them.

[warnerTA]

Going from 3.42 to 3.73 isn't worth it. $400+ for maybe 1 tenth? Money better spent elsewhere imho.


im doing it for the strength... i am also getting slicks....

[warnerTA]

GM 10 bolt, 7.5"/7.625". Since you already have 3.42's, you have a 3 series carrier. Motive seem to be the best bang for the buck, but GM/Yukon gears will be the quietest (more expensive though). Make sure you get a reputable shop to install them.

me and one of my dads friends are installing them.

and thanks for the info guys!!!!

[AChotrod]

Is your car auto or M6? If its auto you do not have 3.42s stock. Prob 3.23s, all M6s came with 3.42s unless its a 93.
Oh and it wont be any stronger than stock it will prob be weaker from more stress.
and if you have a M6 i would go to 4.10s! I did 3.42s to 3.73s in my last m6 and it wasnt worth it, I have 4.10s now and they rock!

[KissMyWhtSS]

IIRC you said you had GU5, which is a 3.23 gear ratio.

From my experiences (reading) a lower ratio (in this instance, the 3.73s) typically puts more stress on the rear/pinion and also most aftermarket gears (motive are great gears and i recommend them if you decide to upgrade) are weaker. So if your wanting to upgrade for strength purposes I'd just recommend getting a TA Girdle.

That being said 3.73 is a great gearing for a bolt-on automatic car, but I wouldn't buy them for the purpose of strength, but for adjusting top speed vs acceleration.

[richardson]

+1
go with 4.10s

[warnerTA]

it is a 94 with 3.42s the guy before me put the 3.42s in it. they are howling really loud. and i dont like it, and it is also a a4. what would a a4 be like going down the highway with 4.10s?? pretty bad? lol it is my daily driver

[joelster]

M6 cars should get 4.10's
Auto cars should get 3.73's

Stock GM gears are very quiet but tend to be brittle.
Richmond gears have a higher nickel content and tend to be noisy but are softer and take hits better. I ran Richmonds in my car when it was a low 12 sec car without a hitch. That rearend is now in a nitroused car and has survived 2 years now without a problem.

[warnerTA]

M6 cars should get 4.10's
Auto cars should get 3.73's

Stock GM gears are very quiet but tend to be brittle.
Richmond gears have a higher nickel content and tend to be noisy but are softer and take hits better. I ran Richmonds in my car when it was a low 12 sec car without a hitch. That rearend is now in a nitroused car and has survived 2 years now without a problem.

alright, i am going to get te gears then, just get a richmond 10 bolt, 373s,and pinion and the kit i need?

[joelster]

It is NOT a job for the do-it-yourselfer. It has to be done perfect the first time out. There are special tools needed for measuring play that most guys don't have. Spend $200-$250 and take it to a shop that is qualified to install gears. Honestly I wouldn't swap a 3.42 for a 3.73. You won't see much of a difference for the amount you'll spend.

[warnerTA]

my dads friend installs gears.

[warnerTA]

It is NOT a job for the do-it-yourselfer. It has to be done perfect the first time out. There are special tools needed for measuring play that most guys don't have. Spend $200-$250 and take it to a shop that is qualified to install gears. Honestly I wouldn't swap a 3.42 for a 3.73. You won't see much of a difference for the amount you'll spend.


ya, and i am doing it because the 3.42s howl like hell, and i dont like it. lol

[BLOWNDFIZ]

ya, and i am doing it because the 3.42s howl like hell, and i dont like it. lol

Just have your dad's buddy check the set-up on the current gears. The backlash is probably off because the original installer didn't check it right. Happens all the time. Plus like mentioned the 3:42 - 3:73 swap is just going to cost you money for little gain.

[warnerTA]

i will be going over to talk to the guy tonight, i will tell him about the howl. i just want the howl gone, i hate it so much

[joelster]

I forgot you said it was howling real bad, lol. I guess if it's that annoying than it would justify a swap. Richmonds do tend to howl a bit though, just so you know. I actually loved the howling, maybe i'm weird.

[warnerTA]

haha, no i wouldnt mind the howling, but its too the point i cant hear my radio!! hhhaha

[StangeatinZ28]

Going from 3.42 to 3.73 isn't worth it. $400+ for maybe 1 tenth? Money better spent elsewhere imho.exactly what i was going to say

[stilltime]

exactly what i was going to say

He has already stated he is not doing the swap looking to get a boost in performance. The current gears were not installed correctly and he is looking to fix the problem, but upgrading to a different gear at the same time. I feel stupider reading this thread having every other post say the jump in gear isn't worth it. What would you recommend he put in it, 3.23's? I'd hope not 4.10's since it's an A4.

To the OP: Good luck with your gear swap, 3.73's will be right at home in your A4. Post up your results and if you eliminated most of the howling!

[warnerTA]

alright so i bought the 373s today. do i need a driveshaft to go with it?? or will it be good. i just bought the ring and pinion

[warnerTA]

so.. i went and talked to the guy that is going to put my gears in.. he said all i need now is a install kit. will this work?? 8310221 that is a summit part number.. it is for "richmond" do i need the "richmond" ring and pinion for this to work? also it says for a 8.2 inch. mine is a 7.65 inch ring, does this matter?

thanks guys!!

[lt1noob]

wont need a driveshaft unless you want to upgrade right away for a lighter one, not needed though. and i dont think that install kit will work.

[warnerTA]

alright, i found a instal kit, :) thanks for all the help guys!