Gary Z

Does anyone get better gas mileage with 3.73 rear-end gears? I have an M6 and 3.42s. I tend to cruise at 70mph. I much prefer 2400 rpm in 5th because 1600 rpm in 6th is so unresponsive when want to speed up to 75 or 80 mph. I expect better mileage after switching to 3.73s because 1720 rpm in 6th will be tolerable and I will use 5th less. Can I use this argument to sell the plan to my wife?

jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

If she doesn't know any better, just tell
her that higher ratios make it so the
engine has to put out less torque to
get the same at the wheels, and just
forget to mention the higher RPM.

Or, tell her they're a "wear part" and
need periodic replacement, and don't tell
her they're different ratio in the first
place.

Gary Z

I don't dare try to fool her - she's smarter than I am.

niphilli

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Gary Z:
<strong> I don't dare try to fool her - she's smarter than I am. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">LOL Damn those smart ones <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />

Ragtop 99

iTrader: (7)

If you will use 6th rather than 5th, then your mileage will improve.

Gary Z

I don't know if I would use sixth more than fifth. With 3.42s I almost never use sixth. I should have phrased my original question more carefully. I meant to ask if others who dislike the throttle response in sixth have found that switching to 3.73s was sufficient change to make sixth rather than fifth their preferred highway gear. It seemed like an interesting question at first but now doubt is creeping in.

WS6 GreeN

I have the stock 3.42s in my WS6 and I use 6th ALL the time. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> I guess I'm a gas mileage freak. I will shift into 6th at 55. On the interstate, I dont really see an acceleration problem, and if I'm goin up a hill, it gives me a reason to catch 4th or 3rd <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

justin sigler

i went with 3.73 gear and i guess if i kept my foot out of it i would get better gass milege. i can use 6th more now it will pull alot better at lower rpms but it seems i like the better acceleration so im always on the gas now.

NeeleymanZ28

If you are unhappy with the 6th gear roll on at highway speeds, it sounds like you are mostly stock. We all know that there is one way to fix the roll on problem, FI <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Now back to reality for us strapped cash folks. The change from 3.42 to 3.73 will be a great move on both ends of the spectrum. Sixth will become much more usable now and the lower gears will plaster you to the seat better than ever. I do driving in the mountains and on very flat scenery and for me it was a win win mod, I meant replacement <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

My gas mileage actually did show a noticeable improvement so do whatever it takes to convince her!