What to expect after a gear swap?

[HasselZ28]

I'm getting my 2.73 swaped for 3.73's tomorrow, I know that I will have to get a tuner to correct the speedo but will my car still be drivable untill I get the tuner?

[Jays00ss]

I'm getting my 2.73 swapped for 3.73's tomorrow, I know that I will have to get a tuner to correct the speedo but will my car still be drivable until I get the tuner?

Yes, however your speedo will be about 15-20 mph off. Make sure you break your gears in right. Drive 10 minutes, Stop let the rear cool for an hour. Repeat 3 times. Then drive for the next 500 miles rather conservatively, varying your speed. Then change your rear end lube, Throw royal purple or red line 75w-90 in. Then give her hell and have fun.

[camarojunky74]

i have never followed break in on gears, but i wouldnt recomend it i had to both times, but both times never had any problems,

ive heard boiling your gears in water to a boil for 10 minutes assists in quiting down tall gears

[2001NBMZ28]

Yes it's fine to drive it. When I replaced the entire 2.73 rear for a 3.42 a block down the street the car popped/misfired once but didn't hurt anything - thinking the PCM just burped.

[samson_420]

This was going to my exact question also. I got 2.73 but want at least 3.42's.

How will cruising RPM change? Right now my car runs @ 2k @70MPH.

Also, how does your 1/4Mile time change(on a AT)?

[camarojunky74]

you will probably be at 2300 at 70 and 2500 hundred at 80. if you want to change from 2.73 to anything higher than 3.42 you will need a series 3 carrier as you have a series 2, if you dont have one yet i have on i would be willing to sell it, it is a auburn carrier bran new with new side carrier bearings i came across it from my buddy getting it in a new rear end and swapping his carrier for a full spool, if you pay me what i payed for it i would be willing to let it go,.

aslo if i was you and was going thru the hassle of changing the gears i would just go to 3.73 that is the best gear for an a4 car, i had 4.10's in my 99ss i wish i had put in 3.73 as the car would have been faster in its circumstance.

let me know

[samson_420]

I would most likely stick with the 3.42's.

I am not into doing this job myself, what does a typical shop charge for this job.

[kebie05]

i have only checked one shop and they said $200 for install

[HasselZ28]

Well I've pretty much followed a good break in process of rinning her moderatly for 30 min and letting her sit for at least 30 min, thats not to say I haven't had any fun with her, I mean come on its like being a kid in a candy shop. But my rpms from what I've noticed have gone up about 500 rpms and my mile, and gas mileage has gone down a bit but I don't know how much yet. Anyone have a programmer for sale?

[camarojunky74]

what carrier did you switch too?

[HasselZ28]

I stuck with my 2 series carrier, and got a thick gear from richmond. There is a very slight "whine" from about 45-60 but I can barely hear it with the windows up, and its actually going away the more I run her, hopefully when I change my oil it will go away totally.

[camarojunky74]

good luck with that chances are you will always have a whine with aftermarket gears especially tall ones well kinda tall

[HasselZ28]

Yeah I wasn't expecting them to be perfectly quiet like the stock 2.73's but mine are pretty damn close so no worries:woo:

[kebie05]

are you guys installing them on your own, or having a shop do it? if a shop, how much does it cost? if yourself, how hard is it?

[HasselZ28]

I researched doing the gear swap on your own and came to the conclusion that its worth it to have a trained mechanic or someone who specializes in rear ends. I had to look around town and check prices but I found someone to install them for $200 plus $100 for a master install kit, $20 bucks for gear oil and additive, and I found a set of new 3.73 richmond "thick" gears on ebay for $91 bucks so my total is around $400 all said and done. I'm completely happy

[camarojunky74]

this is why i love having my whole seperate rear end with a struss kit and 4.10's if im feeling bored one night i can put that in and have it back out the next night in a matter of 2 hours,

im getttin good at it lol