and the tranny finally dies...

[azbird]

I was driving home tonight and my tranny finally gave up, third gear is pretty much gone. Anyways, I'm not upset about it. I had a lot of work done to my car and was just waiting for the time to come for the tranny and such. It came faster than I wanted, but oh well. I'm taking this opportunity to build the gears and tranny to what they need to be. My car is a 2001 A4 Formula with lid, ported stock heads, cam 228/230, LT headers, OFY, Flowmaster muffler, and Nitto DRs. The car is daily driven and I dont want anything excessive. I was thinking of doing 3.42 gears with a 3000 or so stall. Obviously I would also have a tranny cooler installed. I know tuning is required for gears, but how about stall? I'll probably need to make a decision by tommorrow. I just wanted some opinions from people knowledgeable in this area. Plus since Im having the tranny more than likely rebuilt should I have a shift kit installed or is that unnecessary? Thanks.

[JoshieDoom]

Yes install a shiftkit, yes a tune is required. I reccomend performabuilt for the transmission and Yank for the stall.

[vetteemt]

With the tranny cooler I'd also put in an aftermarket tranny pan. One with a drain plug and one that well hold a little more fluid. Here is the pan I have on the Camaro and my Corvette and highly recommend it.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=DER%2D14104&view=1&N=700+150+4294922122+400434+4294903954+

[azbird]

Good idea with the new tranny pan, my mechanic also recommended it. I decided to go with a 3000 stall. I cant get gears done for about a week due to my work schedule though. Will my tiny stock gears hurt the new tranny with the stall for the week Ill be driving it? Also, what is an average price for a gear swap?

[vetteemt]

Whats gears are you running right now?

[azbird]

I believe I'm running 2.73 gears. Im only at 1500 rpms or so at 60mph.

[c5z28]

What kind of stall do you run right now?

[azbird]

Im having a 3000 stall put in as we speak.

[c5z28]

Im having a 3000 stall put in as we speak.

I ask since you said you have a 228/230 cam and ported stock heads, or those currently in the car w/o a stall? drivability etc.

[azbird]

I had the engine work done a few months back. Driveability was ummm difficult at best. Definitly needed a stall. I was just saving up to do the transmission and gears the right way, the first time. The tranny going out was just motivation to get it done sooner. My car is my daily driver and I tend to drive a lot.

[shady milkman]

you will love the car with the stall..3k is a little small but its a much needed improvement from stock.

[azbird]

I know 3000 is a little small. I would like a 3500 but I think 3000 will be better for driving. Im really excited to get my car back. Hopefully I see a difference at the track also. As far as gears go will 3.73 gears be ok for a lot of driving or should I look into 3.40 or so?

[shady milkman]

3.73s are fine.

[azbird]

I got my car back yesterday. Completely different feeling driving now. I cant believe how much better it feels. Shady was right, I love the car with the stall. A lot of the minor probelms I had with the cam as far as driveability goes were fixed with the stall also. Im getting my gears done next week and can't wait to feel the difference.