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View Full Version : Gears or converter...

LS14Winter
10-14-2005, 03:43 PM
Guys,

I have some money to spend on my car.. im getting a aggressive cam, valvetrain, hp tuners, bolt ons... now i was planning to get 3.73 gears... but they cost $250 and cant find anyone to install them for less then $400. For that price i could just get a lock up torque converter. Fuddle sells them for like $700 i think... in my opinion a torque converter would do a lot more for me then gears...

what do you think? Its for a 2000 T/A A4.
Ed Blown Vert
10-14-2005, 03:44 PM
TC should be the first Mod for an A4
LS14Winter
10-14-2005, 03:48 PM
Well I think its settled then, Id like to go with fuddle... ive exchange some e-mails with them and they seem really cool. Im going with a lock up converter unless there is a drawback with them? do they gold up well? anyone ever have a aftermarket verter go bad on them??

-dave
Ed Blown Vert
10-14-2005, 03:50 PM
Yes get a lockup coverter. I run a Vigilante.
Sarge
10-14-2005, 04:03 PM
^^^^ Me also^^^^ High quality convertor...
Stu
10-17-2005, 07:30 PM
TC should be the first Mod for an A4


:iagree:
BadBlueBird*
10-17-2005, 07:35 PM
TC hands down, AT LEAST a 3200
jfischer
10-18-2005, 07:26 PM
What's the typical installation price on a TC? I've got a 2002 Z28 A4 with 2.73's, and was debating gears but it sounds like a TC might be the better way to go?

I'm also fairly mechanically inclined, but the gear install just looked like a bit more work than I wanted to tackle at home. Is a TC installation possible for a reasonably competent do it yourselfer?
LS14Winter
10-19-2005, 04:35 AM
Ive heard the TC is about 6-7 hour job. I think its money better spent...then gears.
jfischer
10-19-2005, 06:54 AM
OK, thanks for the info. Guess this board is going away, so maybe I'll see you guys and girls on another board....
TNT
10-21-2005, 08:47 AM
Man I'm suprised by the responses that the TC should be the first thing on the A4!!! 2:73 to 3:73 really brings the A4 cars to life. Sarge, Ed, BBB what gears are you running??? What came first??? Gears first if you ask me but I would like to hear the argument for the TC.
Ed Blown Vert
10-21-2005, 09:01 AM
I run 3.23. You should always go TC first.

1. Slips you into the powerband sooner.
2. Shift Extension.
3. Creates more torque which helps getting the car off the line.
3. Once locked up, drives like stock.

Others can add...
Stu
10-21-2005, 07:03 PM
I did 5 different converters for my old Z28 till I found the right one.

I would suggest getting a 3000-3200 if you dont drag race alot. Get a 3800-4400 if you do. I always wanted a bigger verter. Ended up with a 3800 being perfect for me.

Then use the rest of your money to find a used M6 rear with the 3.42s

Much more cost efficient.
GatorSS
10-21-2005, 09:57 PM
:yup: I would go with the TC first on an A4.
BlackHawk T/A
10-22-2005, 06:17 PM
I did 5 different converters for my old Z28 till I found the right one.

I would suggest getting a 3000-3200 if you dont drag race alot. Get a 3800-4400 if you do. I always wanted a bigger verter. Ended up with a 3800 being perfect for me.

Then use the rest of your money to find a used M6 rear with the 3.42s

Much more cost efficient.
Can you tell us how your RPMs changed with the 3800? For example during normal driving (0-35 before converter lockup), kickdown, and after upshifts?

Also how high can you stall it?
Stu
10-22-2005, 07:43 PM
Can you tell us how your RPMs changed with the 3800? For example during normal driving (0-35 before converter lockup), kickdown, and after upshifts?

Also how high can you stall it?

I could foot brake it to around 3000. Brakes wouldnt hold after that. It flashed at around 4000. Really perfect for a roll race on the hiway.

RPMs were a little different pulling out from a dead stop. Just sounded like you were slipping the clutch a little on a manual. After it got rolling there was obviously a little higher rev if you need to speed up without downshifting but these new converters are very tight. Hardly noticeable after a few miles. I had a pretty high STR for a harder kick after the downshift so I went thru 7 10 bolt rears, if you get a manageable STR you should have no problem.
iamgene
10-22-2005, 11:49 PM
Go converter first...
Zboner
10-22-2005, 11:51 PM
if you have a cam you have to get a converter anyways, cause at stop lights the car will be fighting the breaks and trying to move forward.
Sarge
10-23-2005, 07:39 AM
Converter puts you in your power band and keeps you there....gears shorten the shift points on a A4 and will lower your 60' times and raise your trap speeds....
Converter and tune the shift points/firmness is far and away the more significant performance impact....the gears do improve the above mentioned performance but less significantly.....
SKULLZ
10-23-2005, 09:32 PM
Will you lose hp or torque with a torque converter? :think:
BlackHawk T/A
10-24-2005, 01:52 AM
Will you lose hp or torque with a torque converter? :think:
Yes because slippage = less efficiency

Think of it like slipping a clutch...your full power isn't going to the wheels when you do that either is it?

Same thing.
Redbull
11-10-2005, 10:19 PM
converter...vig 3200 is way to go! half second faster in 1/4 and 3 mph gain!
hammertime
12-01-2005, 04:51 PM
Yes because slippage = less efficiency

Think of it like slipping a clutch...your full power isn't going to the wheels when you do that either is it?

Same thing.

I would agree with you that measured hp/tq will be different on a dyno, but the advantage of tq multiplication and getting the engine in its power band both give better acceleration (if the tires hold!):zoom: