Im planning on changing the 3.08's out of my 92 Camaro TBI. My mods include edelbrock hedders, flowmaster 80 series catback, underdrive pulleys, K&N open filter, MSD 6AL. Don't speed alot, but would love to have an edge on accelaration against the other guys...

 

I would go with the 3.73's I
think there the best for street
and strip.

 

I'm going to vote for the 3.42's. You can actually find a lot of these gears in 5 speed 6 cylinders, some of them with posi's. I picked up an entire rear for $65 with the stuff listed above. A 3.42 has much better street manners, cruising manners, and I hear girls like the 3.42 better than the 3.73's.

 

wow... xplain why girls like 3.42s....


cause thats prob what im gonna run, noise? verus perform? sounds good,




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91 FireBird 305 V-8
Edelbrock Catback, Custom Alarm. Fourth Gen Console. i have six cupholders. all for starbucks!
Go|)Created The Earth, And Then Turned Up The Bass.
Here's My Audio Install!

"Honda's FOR ME TO POOP ON!" -Triumph...

 

I've used 3.73's in both my 305 IROC and my modded 350 SC camaro. although I've never used the 3.42's before, l found that the 3.73's were a good all around gear, decent gas milage, cruising capabilities, and good for traction on radial tires.

 

Silly question... when choosing gear ratios in the rear end, does a higher number represent quicker acceleration? If so, would you in turn be giving up top end? My neighbor has an 89 Firebird possibly a TA (not sure,) I know he doesn't have OD on his auto tranny but he said his engine is doing 4000 rpm's at 60 mph in top gear! Would this be because his gear selection is too high a #? Sorry if this question has been asked before, but I've been looking around and haven't seen anything about it.

 

I would go with the 3.73's, good for street or strip as the others said, when I had the stock motor in my car and put the 3.73's in it really woke the car up and got it going.

higher the gear ratio = lower top end

higher the gear ratio = pick up speed faster

 

Thanks for your opinions guys...

 

Same thing I was just thiking I am going from the 273 up. Was thinking about going 342 but maybe I will go 373 instead. I dont care about top end.

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http://sites.netscape.net/bulldogfrazier/homepage
+
http://www.fracoinc.com/


Keep your ride shinning with pride

 

How big of a difference would it be going from 3.23 to 3.73? Very noticeable/worth it? If I change gears, can I still keep the posi?

 

If you haven't done anything to apreciably increase the redline of the engine (these start running out by @5000 RPM) I would go with the 3.42's since they give good acceleration but with the 700 you aren't running too high of RPM's (out of power band). Generally speaking the higher the engine revs the higher you want the engine RPM's to be on average to take advantage of it so you go with lower gears (higher number).

 

If you drag race, 3.73's will be too much gear, so stick with 3.42's, unless your power band is above 5000 RPMs. If all you do is street driving, you'll love the 3.73's.


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1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
317 RWHP, 418 RWTQ
13.23 @ 107.62 MPH (2.10 60')
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Member: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-

 

Looks like my bird is getting some 373's for next summer. I have a chip, exhaust, and filter. Will be nice to have get up and go for a change.

------------------
http://sites.netscape.net/bulldogfrazier/homepage
+
http://www.fracoinc.com/


Keep your ride shinning with pride

 

I thought that all 92 TBI 305's in an RS had 2.73 gears. HUH?

AJ

 

I found a 3.42 posi rear end in a 90 305TPI formula in the junk yard today, i didnt know they made such an animal. i would like 3.73 but hey, for 40 bucks for the whole rear end, i cant complain.

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Wide Open Till You See God...Then Brake

 

Im not sure but I was told all manual transmission 92 Camaro RS are 3.08 and automatic transmission are 2.73. Check out the tech data room....I might be wrong..

 

There is an easy test you can do to determine
the right gear for acceleration on your car.
Once this is done you will be able to make
an informed decision.
Make 1/4 mile runs and note the speed and tach rpm in high gear as you cross the finishline.*{high is "D"(auto) or 4th (5speed)*. Ignore the ET for now. Take the highest speed and rpm achieved, divide by your gear ratio and then multiply by the new gear ratio.
This will be the new rpm at the finishline when/if you changed gears. For max acceleration, you want the motor to be at Peak horsepower rpm as you cross the finishline. This is the right gear/tire combo for your car. Remember a 3.73 when in "OD" or "5thgear" on the hiway will still have a very reasonable cruise rpm.
A set of sticky high traction tires (don't have to be bigger than stock, just sticky)
will really set you in your seat with your new gears.

[This message has been edited by F-BIRD'88 (edited November 06, 2001).]

 

Yea. I think you're right. I didn't know you had a stick. Sorry.

AJ

 

so.....

what about for an LT1 engine, with a fourthgen rearend? whats best? cause i know they can come 3.42 stock....

so, why do chicks like em? i like chicks, i love my chicka. lol, check out the new rearend, i got it just for you.....

------------------
91 FireBird 305 V-8
Edelbrock Catback, Custom Alarm. Fourth Gen Console. i have six cupholders. all for starbucks!
Go|)Created The Earth, And Then Turned Up The Bass.
Here's My Audio Install!

"Honda's FOR ME TO POOP ON!" -Triumph...

 

Girls like 3.42's more than 3.73's because, when they are in your car and you don't have overdrive while cruising at 70 mph, the rpm is 3100. A reasonable cruising RPM with not too much resonance inside from the exhaust. That means they can talk about their feelings and whatever else it is chicks say when they occupy the passenger seat.

 

Yeah, I like that, I don't know what they say either! lol. Usually I turn the radio up to solve that problem though. The ones that end up screaming louder so they can be heard just dont get it do they! My chicky insists she drive me around in her cavalier now to avoid that.

 

My 92 RS 5 speed came with 3.08 in the rear.
Just FYI.
-Rich-

 

I checked the archives but am still somewhat confused. I'm currently running 3.23s in my 85 IROC (rear discs and posi/limited slip). What specifically do I need to swap in 3.42s or 3.73s?

JamesC

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Assuming you already have a 3 series carrier at the very least you need the gearset, left hand threaded bolts, and some lube.

I personally ordered a 1/2 kit with marking compound, some shims, a pinion nut, crush sleeve, and I went to the auto parts store for a pinion bearing.

Check out the tech article "build a better 10 bolt" in the database.