I have an 88 TA with 2:73 open diff. I just bought a 3:42 gear set and was wondering if I could swap this set in and and improve my acceleration and passing ability especially on the highway. I know i should also install a limited slip unit, but don't have the cash right now and i don't race . In conclusion I was wondering if I installed these in the current open diff with a ring gear spacer and a proper setup would I run into problems with traction on wet and dry pavement. In fact currently when I mash the gas pedal from a standstill the tires won't even light up

 

I am pretty sure you will need to reprogram the computer. You should be able to roast your right rear on water with that gear set. On dry pavment it will still roll, how much will depend on how you drive. You shouldn't have any problems until you are on snow or ice. Dosen't matter what you have you will have problems.
Unless my gears have been changed I have a 89 RS Camaro with a 305, 5 speed, 3.08's. I can spin the tires but I have to rev the engine and dump the clutch. I do have a factory posi in mine though. Hopefully I will have my locker in sometime next month though.

 

I don't understand why would the computer need to be programmed. In fact isn't swaping gears just going to put the engine in a different rpm at a different time. Could you be meaning the overdrive would be affected on the highway and thus the shift points would be outta sync

 

If you're one of those nitpicky types, then yeah I guess you could reprogram for the different gears, but it's really not necessary. I switched from 2.73's to 3.42's in my 89 RS, and didn't notice any odd problems. In fact, it accelerated so much better, the only thing I noticed was a vast improvement!

 

hey im trying to find a good priced 3.42 gear. i found a set for around 600 bucks.if you got yours for cheaper i would like to know where you bought it from. but i was also tols i had to change out the carrier to a series 3 carrier. and that would almost double the price.

 

You have to either change the carrier or use the thicker ring ger set. There may also be a spacer you can use. $600 sounds high, I think you should be able to get a gear set for around $200.

 

ive been doing some more research and it says that they make 3.42's that will work with the series 2 carrier. but i know that i have to get a kit to install the gear what replaces the bearings, sleals, and other things an that is what added to the price so much because that alone was over 150.

 

if you get a chance look at this.

http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...&vid=6&pcid=67

if you look in the second section (pro-street gears). its the third one down. and at the bottom of the page are the install kits the one i was looking at was the delux kit. which lists everything there and my step dad told me to buy that because it was a good deal. but that is still quite a bit of money to just throw around and i dont want to end up buying the wrong parts and be out of that money. the total without tax should be 347.