3.73 Gears Installed on Manual V-6

[jeff4946]

Turns out dealer wants upwards of 600bucks to recalibrate speedo. Easier and cheaper to have Trifecta do it

[b4z]

With the V6 M6 I would totally discount the idea of running 4.10s.
1st gear is a 4.48 so you would have a 18.368:1 final drive in 1st. Which is basically tractor gearing. Even though the car has a high redline you will redline quickly causing a quick shift into second and 1st would be less usable.
Camaros/Vettes/GTOs of the past decade or so are running a 2.97 1st gear.
Mustangs have a 3.36 1st gear(which is why they feel peppy)
If you look at performance cars of the '60s that were running 4.11 gears and and if they had a M22 close ratio 4 speed it 2.20 1st gear(which is pretty tall).

So it would appear that the 3.73s are the best choice. Plus the Cadillac CTS Coupe 3.6L comes from the factory with 3.73s.

I still think the 4.48 1st gear is too short and that 6th gear should be taller for improved gas mileage.

[Ventmaster]

Last 2 posts very helpful guys, thanks for the info! My 3.73's go in Monday. Trifecta to follow.
I'll post the gear install outcome for anyone else following this thread-trying to decide if they want to take this leap!

[tony312]

chase, do you think we must have the insall kit?, i only have 1200 miles on my car, do you think i can re-use what in my pumkin already, or is the install kit absolutly nesasery?
thx in advance.

[Ventmaster]

A Richmond 3.73 was installed again on a V6 Camaro with manual trans without difficulty. Experienced mechanic at the local transmission shop (Andy at St. George Transmissions) reported "no problem" with the job. Car had less than 4K miles, so the 1/2 install kit was sufficient. Labor charge was $614. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

No time to drive today, but I'm looking forward to the difference after a few break-in miles.

Now, what mod to do next....?

P.S. Thank you Chase at Apex.

[hawkfe]

keep us updated, this is my next mod..... along with tune

[PoorMansCamaro]

Originally Posted by Ventmaster

A Richmond 3.73 was installed again on a V6 Camaro with manual trans without difficulty. Experienced mechanic at the local transmission shop (Andy at St. George Transmissions) reported "no problem" with the job. Car had less than 4K miles, so the 1/2 install kit was sufficient. Labor charge was $614. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

No time to drive today, but I'm looking forward to the difference after a few break-in miles.

Now, what mod to do next....?

P.S. Thank you Chase at Apex.

hmmm...close enough for me to take a drive when i'm ready for this mod. Thanks!

[bmorecam]

Originally Posted by Ventmaster

A Richmond 3.73 was installed again on a V6 Camaro with manual trans without difficulty. Experienced mechanic at the local transmission shop (Andy at St. George Transmissions) reported "no problem" with the job. Car had less than 4K miles, so the 1/2 install kit was sufficient. Labor charge was $614. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

No time to drive today, but I'm looking forward to the difference after a few break-in miles.

Now, what mod to do next....?

P.S. Thank you Chase at Apex.

please post your impression as soon as u hit the rd. I was going to do this as my 1st install but decided to wait on it since my car only had like 1500 miles. but after vararam i wont have anymore go fast mods to do so i might just go with it as planned.
let us know if theres any noise related with install and your take on the cars new acceleration feel I actually have 2 shops on standby, one charging 300 and other who used to build race cars for a living for 500.
im good to go. also, does apex also sell half kit?

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by Ventmaster

A Richmond 3.73 was installed again on a V6 Camaro with manual trans without difficulty. Experienced mechanic at the local transmission shop (Andy at St. George Transmissions) reported "no problem" with the job. Car had less than 4K miles, so the 1/2 install kit was sufficient. Labor charge was $614. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

No time to drive today, but I'm looking forward to the difference after a few break-in miles.

Now, what mod to do next....?

P.S. Thank you Chase at Apex.

Congrats! Thank you for your order.

Originally Posted by bmorecam

please post your impression as soon as u hit the rd. I was going to do this as my 1st install but decided to wait on it since my car only had like 1500 miles. but after vararam i wont have anymore go fast mods to do so i might just go with it as planned.
let us know if theres any noise related with install and your take on the cars new acceleration feel I actually have 2 shops on standby, one charging 300 and other who used to build race cars for a living for 500.
im good to go. also, does apex also sell half kit?

Yes we do.

[PoorMansCamaro]

At what point do you recommend the half kit and the full kit?

[KMPrenger]

I know gas mileage shouldn't be a concern for someone looking for gearing, but would be nice to see the difference you guys are getting from before/after the changes.

If only some company would step up for 3.73s for the autos......

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

At what point do you recommend the half kit and the full kit?

Several installers I have spoke with have talked about how surprised they were with how much wear they are seeing inside the rear ends of these relatively new cars. If your mileage is low then a half is definitely fine, but I prefer all new parts with new gears.

Originally Posted by KMPrenger

I know gas mileage shouldn't be a concern for someone looking for gearing, but would be nice to see the difference you guys are getting from before/after the changes.

If only some company would step up for 3.73s for the autos......

I haven't heard much from our V6 customers about it yet but our V8 customers have never reported more than a 2-3 MPG loss even when going to 4.10s. We have actually had a couple who drive almost exclusively in town report increases.

[Ventmaster]

The rearend was quiet as stock but my speed didn't exceed 35-40mph.
I had them use Redline 75/90 syn. hypoid gear oil with a bottle of Redline friction modifier as well.

I had another (tire)shop quote me $340 for the job. Their book said it would take 4hrs. The tranny shop said 8.3hrs. I'm no expert, but with the new indepedent rear suspension and general increased complexity (ATC etc..) of modern cars, I believe the higher estimate. Took my guy almost 7hrs.

Recent hand surgery will delay any spirited driving awhile, but not too long! My Doc would be something more than pissed if he knew I drove that Hurst stiff shifter already! But hey, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do! And Lord knows that (nearly new) Camaro couldn't go another day without that new gear

So come on up PoorMan and we'll get a couple cold ones, kill some time and talk about Camaros!

[jeff4946]

I had 14,300 miles on my car, and only used 1/2 kit... Installer bashed pinion bearing, so had to buy that. Didnt need the full kit if you were careful. I have drove the crap out of it, and it is a nice torque gain. Once the gears broke in , whine was gone.