3.42's. how much??

[firebird49er]

Hi i have a 98 firebird and have been strongly considering new gears. after researching the site i'm somewhat decided on 3.42's, because i do alot of highway driving and not much racing, but do want that extra takeoff power whenever i do race. how much should i expect to pay for gears, install, and all the extra's that i need for the swap?

[Devilboy28]

About $500 for the gears and install.

[firebird49er]

K then my next question is should i consider going 3.73?? Where i live there's plenty of road, so the race doesn't end after a quarter mile. Would 3.73's really kill my acceleration after 60mph? i ask this because many times i'll race while already moving, like just be driving along and a race comes along, so we start racing like while going 45 mph already. i've done alot of searching but just need some opinions on this. I usually drive around 85-90 on the highway so 3.42's or 3.73's?

[Perry V]

hey firebird49er, i'm not saying this to affect your decision, but i have a brand new set of 3.42's never used and still in the box. I opted to go for the 3.73's instead, but that's only because i wanted to reach my powerband quicker so that when i get my turbo it will kick in quicker. But i did have 3.42's in before when i was stock. Those gears were installed incorrectly and were whining way too much, so i bought a new set of 3.42's (motives, that i never put in) but decided to do the 3.73's as it would benefit me more with the turbo setup.

shoot me a mail if you interested, i'll give em' to ya at a cheap price too.

keep me posted

[Devilboy28]

GET THE 3.73s!!

[3.4 slow to go]

this is a lot like those other posts in here. Since you already stated you do a lot of highway miles, sticjk w/the 3.42s.

[mjparme]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> About $500 for the gears and install. <hr></blockquote>

I think this is a pretty low estimate for everything that you need to do it correctly and then the install. I am looking at $550 before the install.

64047 Installation Kit 119.95 114.95
64501T Zexel-Torsen LSD 99.95 94.50
64048 3.42 Gears 239.95 229.95
26029 ABS Reluctor Ring 19.95
Intense racing Speedo Recalibrator 99.99

The first number is the SLP part number and then the first price listed is the SLP price. The second price (if there is one) is the price from ammperformance.com. http://www.tbyrnemotorsports.com/ has a special on the 3.42 gears for $169 until 12/3. If you buy the gears from tbyrne before the 3rd you are looking at $498, if you buy then from SLP you are looking at $550. This is before the install. This is assuming you are going from 3.08's with an open diff to 3.42's with a LSD.

[Perry V]

I'd be willing to get rid of the 3.42's for $180 shipped, and you won't find a price that low for brand new never used gears anywhere.

I agree with 3.4 slow to go, if you're gonna do highway driving stick with the 3.42's , but if you aren't, do the 3.73's.

keep me posted thanks..

[ellik]

i was at 850 installed, but i added the LSD so if you are not doing that, still figure around 750.

[njspder]

for the few hundred rpm difference between the 3.42's and the 3.73's at highway speed you will see no change in mileage and no extra wear on your engine. what you will see is teh extra 1.5 tenths of quickness when it is playtime :D
go with teh 3.73's and you won't be dissappointed.

later
tim

[Bliggida]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by firebird49er:
K then my next question is should i consider going 3.73?? Would 3.73's really kill my acceleration after 60mph? i ask this because many times i'll race while already moving, like just be driving along and a race comes along, so we start racing like while going 45 mph already. i've done alot of searching but just need some opinions on this. I usually drive around 85-90 on the highway so 3.42's or 3.73's?<hr></blockquote>

Bigger gears will never kill your acceleration. Never never never...ever. Bigger gears increases your acceleration.

The only down side to having bigger gears is that you will have a higher cruising RPM. But since nearly every transmission made currently has an overdrive gear, big gears are not a problem like they are on a street car with a 1:1 cruising gear.
That and it will limit your top speed. But unless you've removed your govenor you'll never even come close to the potential top speed of 3.73's (past 145 MPH) With 3.73's you'll be cruising 70 MPH around 2500 RPM. That's still very reasonable.

[ December 02, 2003: Message edited by: Bliggida ]</p>

[firebird49er]

then i guess i'll go with 3.73's, i mean if i'm gonna spend a little less than a grand, then i want to feel some differenc in the takeoff, and if its true that it doesn't hurt acceleration after 60mph, then 3.73 i guess is the way to go. about removing the governor though, i have a 98 and from what i've seen on posts, the hypertech didn't make a programmer for my year. is this true? if it is how else would i remove the speed limiter?

[Bliggida]

Yes it's true, I have a 1998 model as well. I'm still checking into solving our dilemna. If I find anything out, I will pass it on to you. Please do the same for me.