Hello all:
First I did a serch but didn't get exactly what I was looking for.
I have a 2002 Z-28 automatic with the 273 gears.
I know changing gears helps of the line but does it really help on top end?
Say 2 of the same year camaro's race on the freeway one has 273 gears and the other has 342 and they start out at 70mph which would be faster or would it be the same?
Thanks all

 

the car with 3.42's should technically out accelerate the car with 2.73's. A gear change will not only make the car accelerate quicker off the line but also through every gear at every speed.

 

I just did this swap...I will be picking up my car today!!!! Give me a week or so to break the gears in and I will let you know!

 

I had 2.73's in my car. Then I went to 3.42's for a short time. Now I have GM 4.10's. Out of all the gears I think the 4.10's are the best for me. The 3.42's was not that bad on the freeway. It didn't hurt the gas mileage that much with the 3.42's, but you sure can feel a big difference over 2.73's.

 

Taller gears make your cars top speed lower but improve your acceleration. 2.73 are WAY to small for our cars. Top speed in 4th would be 240 mph at 6k rpm. Youll never get your car going that fast.

In most all cases, the car with 3.42s would win, mainly because the gears would put him into his useable power band quicker. Of course there are alot of factors that would play a role in this race...such as tire size, tranny ratios, hp etc...but you get the point.

For an auto i would recommend 3.73s