3.42's: yay or nay?
 

Just found a 3.42 geared 10 bolt for sale. Score!!

Everyone think this is good mod, going from 2.73's to 3.42 in a A4?

And what should I look for when buying a used rear? The one I'm going to look at has 103k on it, btw.

Thanks!

G80 code is the limited slip
if its in the car still id see if you could go for a ride in it if not pull the cover off and check everything out...

103k depending on what year its out of May or may not have a Zexel posi. All 3.42's in 4th gens were a posi unit, just need to make sure wich one and if its good. and its hard to tell with the back lash in the carrier to axle. but a good thing to do If possible is pull the cover and see any wear on the gears and check backlash. i can tell by feel. its harder for others. but if it bangs around and feels loosish id steer clear.

The rear is out of a '00 SS. The guy bought the car as a roller, he's putting a 9" into it.

It's only 100, or 150 with brakes, so even if it isn't in great shape I won't get burned too bad.

Thanks for the advice about backlash, Mike.

Well since it's not a running car pull the cover and inspect. While you're ripping out the rear it'd be a goood time to do a catback too!

Haha, yeah, this is true! It'd be much easier to get that over axle pipe in with the axle out!

But if I go with the axle, that's going to suck up my catback funds. Between the axle itself and getting it tuned to fix the speedo and shift points, I think it'll just about eat up my catback money.

If that's the case maybe I'll just go with a manual cutout for now.

very good idea probably will need a tune though for the shift points

It's a good mod, it will come out of the hole a lot harder and get you into the powerband quicker. The only thing is you might end up wishing you got drag radials cause it will get loose a lot easier. You will lose a little gas mileage on the highway, shouldn't be too bad though. If it's from a 2000 it's a Torsen posi, I'm pretty sure you can't really see the internals of a Torsen because it's all inside the carrier, so you'll only really be able to inspect the ring and pinion.

Dude 100 bux is an awesome price!! I just had to buy another 342 rear for mine and used I still payed 350 for it. Granted it was out of a 01 WS6 and from what Im told its a Zexel but still 100 bux if it works is a great price.

do it!