what brand gears?

**02sunsetorangeZ** · 12-23-2010, 10:12 AM

i cant find any threads but im buying 3.73's and were looking at richmond or motive, any suggestions?

**67CamaroRSSS** · 12-23-2010, 10:42 AM

I'd go with AAM. I've had Motive and Richmond but the AAM gears were the only gears I had that didn't whine.

Between Motive and Richmond I'd go with Richmond.

I currently have stocker 3.23's because I burnt up the pinion bearing (and bearing surface - they got friction welded together) on the AAM gears.

**02sunsetorangeZ** · 12-23-2010, 10:52 AM

alright thanks! My car has stock 3.42's so do i have a 3 series carrier? also where can you buy them, i cant find any

**1999slpss** · 12-23-2010, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by 02sunsetorangeZ

alright thanks! My car has stock 3.42's so do i have a 3 series carrier? also where can you buy them, i cant find any

Yes it is a 3 series.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 12-23-2010, 02:47 PM

Guessing you're an auto?

**KCC455** · 12-23-2010, 03:22 PM

I recently put 3.73 AAM gears in my car after I blew the 4.10's. I bought the GM OEM gear set (made by AAM for GM) from Jaws Gear and Axle for $265 plus shipping. I also paid to have them setup by a professional for $150 because I did not want any gear whine. The prior owner of the car had Motive 4.10's installed and they whined like crazy. The new 3.73's are nice and quite, so I am happy I paid the extra $ over other brands.

Perhaps with proper setup other brands would be quite also, but I did not want to take the chance. I read many posts about the GM OEM gears being the quietest. It may depend on how important quiet gears are to you.
Good Luck

**blue02Z** · 12-23-2010, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

Guessing you're an auto?

he is m6.

fyi 3.42 was only an option on an a4 ss camaro. z28 got stuck with the 2.73 if it was auto

op- keep the stock un's

**Firebirdjones** · 12-23-2010, 03:55 PM

3.42's were 6 speed gears for all 4th gens exclusively. It's the 3.23's you are thinking of as the optional upgrade automatic gear for the Z's and TA's, and standard on the SS and WS6 autos.

Anywho,,,,I've setup a couple of Motives without complaint, all were quiet, but I don't use them myself. I prefer Richmond over anything else. I've setup so many I couldn't even give a number. I've had goodluck with Richmond being quiet and tough. Any issues I've ever had Richmond always took care of with another gear set if necessary free of charge. Good people to work with.

I've also had goodluck with some Yukon gears for trucks when I deal with Randy's Ring-and-Pinion. With any gear, setup is key.

**JRENIGAR** · 12-23-2010, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by blue02Z

he is m6.

fyi 3.42 was only an option on an a4 ss camaro. z28 got stuck with the 2.73 if it was auto

op- keep the stock un's

Not to be the one to say Wrong!!!! , but a friend of mine has an 01 base model z with an auto and factory option 3.42's in it. He said it was ordered that way????? Guess GM still does that, dont they???

**35th-ANV-SS** · 12-23-2010, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by blue02Z

he is m6.

fyi 3.42 was only an option on an a4 ss camaro. z28 got stuck with the 2.73 if it was auto

op- keep the stock un's

Thanks. I knew the information you posted. I didn't see his 2nd post where he said he currently had 3.42's.

The reason I asked is because I don't think there would be THAT much of an advantage for acceleration from the hole going from a 3.42 to a lower gear 3.73.

**Firebirdjones** · 12-23-2010, 04:32 PM

I've never seen, heard, or even torn one down from an auto that had 3.42's.
GM got out of the gear game after the early 70's when everything became pretty standardized as far as packages go.
Now that doesn't mean GM slipped up and stuck a 6 speed rear in an auto going down the assembly line, since this is all done as sub-assemblies, I've seen stranger things restoring 60's muscle cars,,,,but I find that highly unlikely.

All your 6 speeds have the 3.42's. Nothing else available from GM when new. The auto's have 2.73's, or as an option 3.23's. The auto's in the SS or the WS6 came standard with 3.23's.

**67CamaroRSSS** · 12-23-2010, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by blue02Z

he is m6.

fyi 3.42 was only an option on an a4 ss camaro. z28 got stuck with the 2.73 if it was auto

op- keep the stock un's

Originally Posted by JRENIGAR

Not to be the one to say Wrong!!!! , but a friend of mine has an 01 base model z with an auto and factory option 3.42's in it. He said it was ordered that way????? Guess GM still does that, dont they???

*Heavy sigh*No, they don't...

When are you kids gonna stop believing in fairy tales?

Got any proof that anything gear wise was any other than what FBJ sez above????

I repeat, base Z28 w/A4 = 2.73 with 3.23 optional. SS = 3.23 standard (no options from the factory). M6 = 3.42 (again no options).

I believe this was the same for the Firebird Formula and WS6 but can't say for sure.

Aftermarket and tuner cars are up for grabs...

**Cutlass** · 12-23-2010, 07:36 PM

Yes the Pontiac side of that is the same. All M6 Formulas and Trans Am got the 3.42, A4 had the option of 2.73 and 3.23(not 100% sure on model breakdown)

**02sunsetorangeZ** · 12-23-2010, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

Thanks. I knew the information you posted. I didn't see his 2nd post where he said he currently had 3.42's.

The reason I asked is because I don't think there would be THAT much of an advantage for acceleration from the hole going from a 3.42 to a lower gear 3.73.

..

My brother blue02z has 4.10s and i have drivin it and im just not a big fan. i didnt want something that helped out a lil bit but didnt affect the driving like 4.10's really did.

**RyanJM** · 12-24-2010, 12:41 AM

I have had good luck with my motive gears. I would stay away from Richmond they used to whine in my 5.0 so after that I never got another set but I do know someone who got a set for their Z28 and they were a lot louder than mine.

**blue02Z** · 12-24-2010, 08:04 AM

haha sorry fellas, yeah that was a drunk post and messed up the numbers.

**Firebirdjones** · 12-24-2010, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by RyanJM

I have had good luck with my motive gears. I would stay away from Richmond they used to whine in my 5.0 so after that I never got another set but I do know someone who got a set for their Z28 and they were a lot louder than mine.

I've found whining Richmonds that came into my shop to be setup issues from some other shop.
I run Richmonds in 2 of my own cars, quiet as a mouse. Always had happy customers after I install them.

**Firebirdjones** · 12-24-2010, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by 67CamaroRSSS

*Heavy sigh*No, they don't...

I'm with ya Jim, depressing for sure.

I have a 69 Z 12 bolt in my stash with factory 4.88's I've been saving for a particular project

Those were the days.

**Firebirdjones** · 12-24-2010, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by 02sunsetorangeZ

..

My brother blue02z has 4.10s and i have drivin it and im just not a big fan. i didnt want something that helped out a lil bit but didnt affect the driving like 4.10's really did.

6 speed? I'd just leave the 3.42's then and concentrate on building an engine with low end torque. Because jumping to 3.73's isn't a big leap. With a 2.66 first gear, these cars really need more rear gear to be optimum, and a 4.10 is a start. Gets you in the high 10 numerical overall ratio, which is what you want for acceleration.

With the .50 overdrive it's not even a drivability issue

**02sunsetorangeZ** · 12-24-2010, 01:07 PM

idk i guess its just my preference lol cuz everytime i drive his car it seems like i get worn out almost like its a chore to drive. I mean i know a standard is most of the time but i love driving my car with 3.42's so i figured 3.73's would help some but still feel great, i mean i might do 4.10's later, just trying out different options. Thanks for all the advice!