NoHope

So in my car I have the 2.73 gears, the lowest possible gears these cars came with. People in autos are always talking about upgrading their gears, they want to go with 3.42's, 3.73's, or if they're really brazen 4.10's.

My car came with an option of 3.23's, but the person who bought it new opted for 2.73's instead I suppose.

What EXACTLY is the difference in the way the car will drive, accelerate, and pull from higher speeds between 2.73's and 3.23's? A lot of people keep saying that 2.73's have more top end pull, can achieve higher speeds, etc, where as 3.23's will pull harder off the line, are more apt to spin the tires. They say a 2.73 car will stay in 2nd gear longer, all the way up to 90MPH I think, where a 3.23 gear car will be in 3rd gear by then, and will have to rebuild power, etc.

So what are the differences? Are they both just as quick as the other?

Also, with my 2.73's I get 27MPG at 70MPH, running around 1,800 RPM. I love that!

NoHope

I read up a little bit on here, but these guys are talking about LT1 cars, not sure if it makes much of a difference.

http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/lt1-...-3-23-a-59156/

FirstYrLS1Z

iTrader: (4)

where you gonna use 'have more top end pull, can achieve higher speeds' legally.
'pure' stock 2.73s' typically run 14.1s',3.23s' typically run 13.8s'.
do a torque convertor instead of a gear mod,3600-4000 stall by a good vendor,good street driveability and maintain your 2.73 mpg on the freeway because of 'lockup'.

I ran 4.56s' for 4 years,damn I miss those gears on the street but not on long trips.

NoHope

That's weird...my car has 2.73's and I ran a 13.56 all stock my first time at the drag strip in this car.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

3.23 for a DD is a nice combo, but the 3.73 for the more spirited driving. If I was swapping i'd go 3.73 without thinking. I've ridden in them all.

NoHope

But 2.73's get me 27MPG on the highway, don't 2.73's also have more top end pull?

FirstYrLS1Z

iTrader: (4)

find some LS1 f-bods that have gear mods and/or convertor mods and ask for a ride, then you can be the 'judge'.
3.73s' with a 3600-4000 convertor is probably the most recommended combination.
How far do you think your mpg is gonna drop. The 27 mpg you stated is very typical for the 2.73s'.
3.23s' gave me 24.5 mpg on trips from Cleveland Ohio to Orlando Florida. The 4.56s' on identical trips(5 trips) gave me 21.5 mpg. The computer does/did a good job of handling mpgs'. As you put a load on the engine,the computer has to richen(but still within designed parameters) up the mixture. Gears lessen the load on the engine as the drivetrain now has a better mechanical advantage over the weight of the car and against wind resistance,which in turn will cause the computer to signal to run leaner(but still with designed parameters). This is only talking about the factory OEM tune settings,not modified 'tunes'.

NoHope

I don't know anyone in the area with an automatic LS1, all manuals around here.

27MPG vs 24MPG, I'll take the 27 any day, unless the 3.23's will be A LOT faster, that's a hell of a fuel economy hit to take for not much in the performance department.

Also, with 2.73's, I don't have any traction issues. Isn't there more top end pull with 2.73's too? I would like the chance to ride in a 3.23 or 3.42 auto, and see how they feel different, see if I am missing much.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Yeah there is more top end if you're wanting to run to 140-50+mph. In the average run 0-125mph, the higher number gears will do better. While you may not see the increase on a track trip ET, the SOTP feeling with the better gears will be evident every single time you accelerate. It's worth the gas mileage hit. And, if 3 mpg means that much then 2.73s are the best gear for you. It's all in what you want from your car.

Altini

If you are going from a 2.73 to 3.23 its not worth it in my opinion. You wont see a real big difference. 2.73 were made to give you good highway MPG but for pulling harder on high speeds or top end like you say its not goin to happen like you would think! You can reach higher speeds with it and not hit the redline in the RPM range faster than higher gear ratios but where u would go driving 150-165mph in freeways you know or lets say how many times you would go that fast!? If you are concern about the MPG keep it the way you have it now. You really feel the difference when going to a 3.73 like i did it will wake up the car and like some other guys stated above a good stall converter will make it super. Just my 2cent...

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Converter is gonna cost more gas mileage then gears in an average commuting vehicle IMO.