2:73's to 3:73's???? - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

12secondv6 · 09-03-2007, 08:16 PM

In a 96 trans am.

Anyone done it or know someone who has?? I've searched lots of f body boards and I can't find anyone with before/ after results for 1/4 mile reductions

Granted.... tuning would be done.

On my v6 I've had 3:08's, 3:23's, 3:42's and 4:10's.... but never 3:73's.

Anyone????

j0n · 09-03-2007, 08:21 PM

they're better...do it

/thread

BonzoHansen · 09-03-2007, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j0n

they're better...do it

/thread

12secondv6 · 09-03-2007, 10:14 PM

You guys crack me up. Yes, I am doing this upgrade.

But.... everywhere I read up on it I see threads where people say "Do it.... You will be happy... blah blah blah."

I have not come across any 1/4 results

Tru2Chevy · 09-03-2007, 10:19 PM

1/4 mile results will be different for each car and driver.....you know that James. My best guess is that ignoring traction difference at the line, you'll pick up at least .3-.4 in ET. I've heard people say that in an A4 LT1 car, 3.73s are about perfect to get a lightly modded car through it's powerband in 3rd.

That's all from stuff I've read though, since I've never personally had an LT1 car.

- Justin

Bandit · 09-04-2007, 09:33 AM

Gains in the 1/4 mile will be min, trap speed should increase about 4-5mph. Launching will be much different, make sure you use a sticky tire because any traction you had will now be gone. It will wake the car up and passing will feel so much better. 3.73 should of been the stock gearing for the car but I see why they lowered the gearing because of gas mileage.

You may need to do some top end mods since the LT1 is a low end tq machine.

WildBillyT · 09-04-2007, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandit

Gains in the 1/4 mile will be min, trap speed should increase about 4-5mph. Launching will be much different, make sure you use a sticky tire because any traction you had will now be gone. It will wake the car up and passing will feel so much better. 3.73 should of been the stock gearing for the car but I see why they lowered the gearing because of gas mileage.

You may need to do some top end mods since the LT1 is a low end tq machine.

Bandit,

2.73 or 3.23 are the only stock gear ratios available for an auto. I believe '85 was the last year for 3.73's, and '86 was the last year for gear ratios over 3.42...

12secondv6 · 09-04-2007, 12:42 PM

Thanks!

Yeah, I know there are many factors involved... I was just wondering if anyone had any experience.

I don't want/ expect to run drag radials on this car. I think with all the suspension components I will dead hook.

Well.... hopefully in a couple months this mod will be done

NJSPEEDER · 09-04-2007, 04:06 PM

on average 3.73's will knock off 5-7 tenths and add .75-1.1 mph. most people over look it, but i woudl suggest doing something to firm up the shifts a bit if you want to go to the bigger gears. the LT1 computer is a little bit slower to send the shift command than the later computers and even with a proper tune to account for it, the engine will often tap the rev limiter simply because the mechanical side of the shift is too soft.

foff667 · 09-04-2007, 05:17 PM

I would still think even a mild converter would give you a bigger gain in ET & fun factor than gears and without costing you any mileage once the converter locks up.

edpontiac91 · 09-04-2007, 07:01 PM

I highly doubt that you will see a 4-5 tenths quicker in the 1/4 mile. I had 3:23 in my Formula, and put in 3:73. I did not see ANY increase, due to the fact that I now had to feather it more off the line, and this is with Goodyear GS-C radials. If you go with a Drag Radial, you might pick up 2-3 tenths, but that would depend on your launch. The 3:23 rear seemed to pull just as hard, and it was a LOT easier to pull away from a light(in town), without having to worry about wheel spin.

Tru2Chevy · 09-04-2007, 07:24 PM

Little G picked up .4 or .5 in ET going from a 3.23 to a 4.10, which is less of a change in ratios than 2.73 - 3.73.

I don't think he'll see .5 gain due to traction issues, but i'm sure he'll see at least .3 decrease in ET.

- Justin

Bandit · 09-04-2007, 08:54 PM

When I did the gear change on the LS1 I did not see any gains (et wise) on street tires. When I put on MT drag radials I saw a 3 tenth gain in time. (but I also added a few minor bolt-ons)

Is it worth it- heck yeah. I was even considering 3.90 gears but figured I would never launch the car off the line without major suspesion work.

foff667 · 09-04-2007, 09:00 PM

gains all depend on the combo guys for instance when I went from 3.08's & open diff to 3.73's & torsen diff in my S-10 I gained 0 ET & 0 mph but that was a truck running 16's in the 1/4 mile. Now would I have gained 0mph & ET when it was running high 13's? probably not...it probably would've meant much more at that time, but again its the combination at the time...he might gain a tenth he might gain 4, but I don't think you can definitely say he'll gain a ton because its virtually impossible to tell.