C5 Corvette with 4spd Auto: Best Performance Mod - 3.42 GEAR SWAP!

What is the very best C5 Corvette performance mod? If you have a C5 Corvette with an automatic transmission then you know it is somewhat slow. That's a shame because the C5 is light and has the powerful LS1 engine, but GM left one ingredient out. The 2.73 rear differential gears that came with most C5 Automatic Corvettes are horrible for performance use. What is really needed is a gear swap to 3.42 gears!

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[randylower]

After watching this video, I decided to make the swap from the 2.73 to the 3.42 gears in my 99 a4 vette. I'm very pleased to say that you were right, the car accelerates much quicker...thank you for your video

[richknudsen]

I couldn't decide which I wanted so I bought an auto and a 6 sp c5. Perfect world

[Baddawg]

One of the best pure performance upgrade videos I have ever seen!! Marketing has everyone worried expensive “performance” options like CAI or $1, 000 tune. This guy speaks to the math of mechanical advantage and this is what the pros use to beat the “tuners” easily. Follow this advice and you will be making a real noticeable upgrade.

[tommykelley]

OUTSTANDING COMMENTARY, My 1998 Camaro SS 6speed W/3.42 would take me down to 163 MPH like it ain’t nothing 🔥🔥🔥👌🏾‼️

[thomasdee]

The 3:15 to 1 was about a $300 option. Dealers were limited to the number of these that they can order with a new FACTORY ORDER vet. The factory/GM wanted more of the 2:73 to be produced BECAUSE HYPOTHETICALLY THIS GEAR RESULTED IN “BETTER” EPA MILEAGE FOR CAFE STANDARDS. So the buyer was prohibited from ordering the BETTER ONE, which was subject to FACTORY ALLOCATION TO EACH DEALER.

[kallo]

This Man is right!
All those Engine Tuning Stuff is worthless, if your Gear Ratio is Crap.
The Engine produce 350HP at 5400rpm AND ONLY at 5400rpm.
At 3000rpm you have only 184HP.
This should make you clear, that staying in the right RPM Angle, is more worth than any Engine Tuning.

[otonielaburtobermejo]

Just got a red 99 c5, with 94k miles, incredibly well mainted. First performance upgrade is definitely this! Thank you for the knowledge.

[jimipuffit]

Thank you for the part about checking in the glove box. I went and checked mine after watching this video assuming I had the slower rear end but was pumped to find out I have the 3.15. I bought the car earlier this year, a 99 a4 with 50k on it, and have been chasing around electrical issues, pulley/belt noises, and some other stuff and have been getting really down about the car. Learning I had the 3.15 has reinvigorated my excitement about the car. Subbed.

[jeffamley]

What a great video. I couldn't agree with you more about this upgrade.I purchased a 97 Corvette about 10 years ago with 20000 miles on it and the previous owner had switched the complete rear housing out to a 3.42 and complete exhaust with X pipe. He did a nice job on the modifications spent about $6500 ended up with an amazing automatic.

[markdavid]

I already have it because the car has the 3.15 rqtio, part of the Z51 factory option for Autos. It is pretty quick.. The suspension is also like the Z-06, flat cornering and great handling. No super-charger required for good performance.

[edwardo]

Been in the market to purchase a c5 corvette and researching for months and i have to say...Thank You.!! Great help.

[kimw]

i went from a 315 to the 342 and it made a huge difference... pulls allot harder, feels more responsive, and my gas mileage didnt even change to a point of noticing!!

[johnparker]

Thanks for the video, and especially for including the glove box portion, as I checked and found I had a G90, which is good enough performance-wise for my purposes. Really helpful video!

[YellowVette]

I drove a buddy's C5 with 2.73 gears and he was making 50ish hp more than me, but mine with 3.15s felt quicker. Maybe it wasn't, but it sure felt that way. I could only imagine how 3.42s would feel. Great suggestion

[OverTorque_Racing]

Couldn’t agree more. My 99 coupe had the 273 rear end and I changed it for a 373 and it was a completely different car. Highly recommended!

[richknudsen]

The Old adage is either more HP or more gear.
That's how we made our destruction derby cars so successful, with 5;14 gears and a fordomatic.

[gamerscubeixxi]

I would have to agree. Gear and motor mods. Possibly shift solenoids too. 😊

[egis]

What a great video I’m looking into getting a c5 auto soon and wanted to get some more info on it and this hit the spot well, that ending caught me off guard with that crash hahaha

[michelleestrada]

Great information for auto vets . But the 2004 model I have has z06 shocks is and using the C6 fuel system in the 2004 model. Pretty cool. It was already there off the line.

[billmarsh]

A long time ago I had a yellow 5liter Mustang with 3.73s, engine about 325 hp that we called the Yellow Rocket---one night I picked up a big tough guy to take him to my girlfriend's.
We were crossing a wet bridge so I thought I'd get his reaction so I nailed--lol. I can still hear him screaming " NOT ON THE BRIDGE!!!!--I think that was the evil Bill--lol