Changing rear to 3.73 from stock

[BigRed]

Hey guys!

Is the TPiS rear end the same as what you guy are talking about? Ive been looking at theirs for a long time! Also Ecklers has a little control hohicky that'll allow you to change the speedo for like 200 bucks (Its in the Catalog)

If TPiS is just the gear sets (Which I think it is) Is it worth it? Should I just buy a refurbished rear end? (Whole thing) Just looking for some advice to do this as cheap as possible while retaining the quality. Id also like to go 3:73.

Thanks

 

[BigRed]

I got these numbers from Richmond

3.75 45-12 49-0110-1*Dana 36 Late Model
3.75 45-12 49-0108-1 Dana 44 Corvette

And from TPiS

Ring and Pinion Kits for Dana 44 (Corvette w/manual)
800-354 3.73 41-11........$325.00

But TPiS says this...
When replacing 3.73 and numerically lower ratio gear sets with a 3.92 or higher gear, the carrier must be changed.(This was for you 4:11 guys)

Is the carrier the speedo gear? Or related?

Chris how much did Richmond ask for theirs?
And are these gear sets hard to change out? Can a non mechanic do the job?

 

[-=Jeff=-]

And are these gear sets hard to change out? Can a non mechanic do the job?

I myself would not attemp this and Ihave done a lot to my car. There is an art to getting the gears in corrctly and spaced properly. I would say if you are chosing to go to the 3.73 find a place that will sell you a carrier with them already set-up.

I would also suggest for a TPI car that 3.73 gears are a bit much. a 3.54 would be better suited unless you have a miniram that likes HP and higher RPMs.

I helped vettn94 swap in a Dana 36 with 3.54 gears in place of the Dana 36 2.59's he had.. that was I big difference.. Well worth the swap.

 

[bradfordsvettes]

the carrier is the support for the ring gear there are carriers for 2 ratio , 3 ratio, and 4 ratio they need to be different because of the thickness of the ring gear as the ratio changes some companies do make spacers or machine the ring gear different to make up the distance . i think richmond does and you do need some special tools to set them up hope this helps steve

 

[69MyWay]

Chris,
Get the Super Dana 44 gears from a Viper, you need to file a bit on the housing of your current Dana 44 but they will fit..

Sounds like you have the 3.33 gears.. the 3.73 would be good too, I have the 3.45 in my car and I don't want to swap just yet, if I do it will be a 4.10. but I am not even thinking of it at this point

Not sure what you mean there by Viper, ie...actual gear ratio. Can you give me some more info? I am going to do some trading. TZracer will be buying me the gear set in exchange for some custom body work on his 71 which is more or less a sister (in the coupe version) to Killer.

So, I have to tell him which set to get me. I will have a local guy install them, and I left a message with him regarding which brand he prefers/has had experience with.

I don't want to go more than the 3.7 series as I think now that the 4. plus gears are a little more aggressive than I am after (although the mini ram can handle it).

Oh yes, I do have the 3.33 gears in there now.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Chris,

What I mean is that the Dodge Viper uses a Super Dana 44.. The ring and pinion for those cars are made by Dana. What you need to do is go to the Dodge dealer and order the 3.73 ring and pinion for a Viper. Getting the Dana parts is better then using the Richmond and such.. there should be less gear noise if any after being installed

 

[hotrodd]

I went from 2.72 to 3.73 and would swear my wife drove that Z-06 under it!! It was my first rear gear set up and it was easy I thought,use the same shims and it would be close I was told.The only problem I had was the bearing next to the ring gear.I had to destroy it to get the new one on and if I would have had to shim it I would have had to destroy it again.There is a tool to remove it but I could'nt find one in dooda.My backlash was 001 to tight but it does'nt howl.Has 30000 mile on it and still pullin strong.It really complimented the 700-R4.The speedo is what I can't understand,it is within 3 mph at 60mph.Does'nt go along with what should have happened(fast speedo)but it work's.I got the gears from motive gear,160 dollars and about that much for bearing's and such.Also the bearing's were fine except for the one I destroyed. Just my expereince,you won't regret it.Gas mileage as if it matter's was better because it run's in that sweet spot at 70mph 2250 R.P.M. 21 Mile to gal.could'nt beleive that either with the head's and stuff these motor's are effecient(AFR HEADS)and demon carb.roller cam and so forth.

 

[wookiebear]

Hottrod

I just did the switch to the 3.73 from the 3.07 and my speedo was off 10 mph at 50 mph. I would think that you should be off even more going from a 2.72 to the 3.73 almost 15 mph. At 70 mph I am running 2,500 Rpm's.
How do you like those AFR Heads? How much HP do you think it has added? Did you dyno the car? Just wondering, I am trying to convince myself to buy those AFR LT 1 heads.

Wookiebear

 

[hotrodd]

I could'nt say how much the head's helped but it dynoed 269 at the wheel's.I no everyone has excuse's about power but the dyno made me tune a little better and I am sure there is some increase.AFR has a motor on their web sight that did 430 at the crank mine is almost the same motor with a slightly bigger cam.I am sure it will never make that kind of power,but what I got sure give's that good seat of the pant's feel.I turned 13.19 with 10 inch slick's at 105 mph.The air was close to perfect that day.It is fun on the street.Those head's make it sound like a hurricane under the hood movin air.

 

[BigRed]

Jeff when I change the rear I'll be changing the motor or fixing this one up (Miniram etc..) So I want to go the 3:73's. I was talking to a bud at Pro Trac gear today and he said its about 400-500 Bucks CND to get this installed so that'll mean it will cost me Exactly 600$ US to change out my gears with Brand new TPiS ones and Pro Trac installed...I don't think thats to bad,

 

[69MyWay]

Chris,

What I mean is that the Dodge Viper uses a Super Dana 44.. The ring and pinion for those cars are made by Dana. What you need to do is go to the Dodge dealer and order the 3.73 ring and pinion for a Viper. Getting the Dana parts is better then using the Richmond and such.. there should be less gear noise if any after being installed

Gotcha now. I thought VIPER was a brand name of a gear company, vs. the actual Dodge Viper. I kept getting alarm and stereo system stuff off the net when I went looking for "Viper" accessories.

There are a dozen dodge dealers in town, so I will have to call around today.

Thanks again,

Chris

 

[LUDS96]

I changed to 3.54s last year cut almost .5 seconds of my 1/4 times! Feals awsome to just jump on it! chirps the emts going into third. Gas milage went down to 22 highway 14 city! I don't drive it enough to worry about the fuel! 1/4 time best ot date
13.46 102.8 1.9 60 foot. I'm very happy with the change! I bought a complete rear. Dana 44 had to change the drive yoke from the six speed to my auto input shaft. Hypertek programmer. I changed the tire size checked it with my GPS.