double_z

Hey everyone,

Just bought a bone stock 2000 z28 yesterday with an auto tranny...just planning my mods to up the fun factor while keeping it a daily driver.

Right before i bought this one, i drove an auto 99 WS6 with headers, catback and intake mods that made the car much more lively, unfortunately it didn't have the t-top. I assume the WS6 also has something a lot peppier than the 2:73 grandpa gears. Great for highway cruising but dull acceleration

I'm thinking of upgrading to either 3:23 or 3:42. I want to increase acceleration without sacrificing too much highway cruising. Will upping to 3:23's make a big enough difference or should i swap for 3:42's?

Thanks!
Greg

Halon330

iTrader: (7)

2.73 to 3.42 will be a big jump in gear ratio. Definately improve your accelleration noticably, but I'm not sure where that would put you fuel mileage and rpm's on the highway. I don't have a lote of experience in auto's. You get a little more leeway in the 6 speeds because the 6th gear is so high. I'm sure someone with an auto can give you some detailed info.

SladeX

I think with 3.23 you'll be around 2000rpm 67mph. With 3.42 you'll be around 2000 rpm for 64mph. It's not too drastic of a difference on highway, but add for seat of pants feel.

As far as cruising goes, I find the sweet spot to be actually 1800rpm for efficiency, so the 3.23 will be a nice boost and still within speedlimit. Could always go to a 255/50/16 and be perfectly in that sweet spot.

If looking for gears, which ever you find used as cheaper to be honest, don't let 3.42 or 3.23 scare you off on a more or less stock car setup.

drop top glassman

check your rpo code z28's autos had 3.23 should be gu5

1972_Z-28

iTrader: (16)

My 02 Z28 auto had 2.73s. I went to 3.42s with a 3200 CircleD stall and huge difference and sure most of it was the stall.
I lost about 2 MPG mixed driving, lots of stop and go going to and from work + more sprited driving due the nicer take off!!!

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

In order to retain the use of your carrier (posi) you will need a set of Motive 2 series (thick cut) 3.42s.

double_z

RPO code is GU2 so its got 2.73's. I think the GU5 was optional on the Z standard on WS6 and SS. I mostly do city driving and the car right now is pretty boring in its current setup. I'll be upgrading the exhaust and air intake as well....should give it enough juice for a fun

I have 3.45's in my '87 Iroc T5, i might just go with the 3.23's to maintain MPG's in this one although there doesn't seem to be a big difference in cruising speed at 2000 rpm between the two, about 2 mph. Between the 2.73's at 3.23's, there is almost 12mph at 2000rpm.

What is the best/most cost effective way to reprogram the computer after the gear change?

Tan327

iTrader: (15)

I have done quite a bit of research on this(and the swap to 3.73) and have found more than a few people not dropping any E.T in the 1/4, seems to be hit or miss ..but everyone says the car is much more fun to drive and responsive down low.

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

Am I the only one that caught the fact the 99 Ws6 didn't have t tops?. That was either the only trans am that didn't have t tops or it was a formula.

All trans am's (ls1) had t tops except for like 3 in 1998.

double_z

It was a formula...really loving this Camaro though. New cat back, SLP airbox, plugs, wires, shocks and a set of eibachs on the way!

Damian

iTrader: (89)

I've done this swap a million times and the 3:42's are perfect for a stock and/or bolt on car IMO. I'd definitely do it.

Blk_Ws6

iTrader: (4)

Aluminum drive shaft , beefer tranny , under drive pulley these are all the things I have done to my 99 WS6 to help the take off they all did the trick an gave me a better E.T in the 1/4 but from 3.23 to 3.42 there was no show of my track time at all , the parts I swapped showed more gains , IMO .Hope this helped, but I also like to drive the car alot I did notice a difference in how fast my fuel would leave but hey It won't kill you .

shepss217

iTrader: (5)

i bought a 3.42 6 speed rear out of a 99 trans am with rather low miles and it's been working great until recently, made over half second faster at the track, then when i got the converter i would say i picked up over a second total, def. the best thing i did so far