In addition to the 3:42's, a C5Z has the MN12 tranny which has lower ratios 1st thru 3rd gear which will make the car very responsive and IMHO more enjoyable 
gears for S/C vette
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento ca
gears for S/C vette
I have a 500RWH maggie. Not too long before I purchased it the rear end blew, and the prev owner put a stock A/T rear end in it (2.73?) I can't use 6th unless I am doing about 90. There is a local guy selling a stock Z06 our of an 02 6 spped car. Does anyone know the gear ratio? Is it better than a stock C5 as far as strength. He also has the trans for sell (nothing really wrong with mine), but is there anything better about Z06 stuff. The car is fast, but I know that better gears will wake it right up. If I should not go stock let any suggestions on what set up to use or upgrades...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 18,682
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
You should run it full out and see if you can go over 200 MPH 
Honestly, with your power 3.90s would be a good choice but if you can get the 3.42s cheaper, go for it 
Honestly, with your power 3.90s would be a good choice but if you can get the 3.42s cheaper, go for it
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 1
From: San Bruno Ca
Since you have a Maggie, which is mainly big torque at low RPM platform, I would stay away from gears that make your car rev. the 342's out of a stock Z06 would be perfect. Maggies tend to make all their power down low in the RPM range. If you had a centrifugal S/C set-up then maybe 373's, but most F/I cars make enough torque to easily pull 342's.
Just my .02.
Just my .02.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 12,725
Likes: 14
From: ECS : WTF did you break now and HTF did you break it this time
your car is a 6 speed right toby?
if so it'll be happy with 3.42's with the maggie's low end. More gear isn't going to help you.
The M12 ratios of teh C5Z are a little closer and steeper than base coupe MN6 ratios, I prefer them, both of my cars have them, but if there's nothing wrong with your trans I wouldn't change it just for the ratios. If it needed to be replaced I'd make the change at that point.
if so it'll be happy with 3.42's with the maggie's low end. More gear isn't going to help you.
The M12 ratios of teh C5Z are a little closer and steeper than base coupe MN6 ratios, I prefer them, both of my cars have them, but if there's nothing wrong with your trans I wouldn't change it just for the ratios. If it needed to be replaced I'd make the change at that point.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 2
I have a 500RWH maggie. Not too long before I purchased it the rear end blew, and the prev owner put a stock A/T rear end in it (2.73?) I can't use 6th unless I am doing about 90. There is a local guy selling a stock Z06 our of an 02 6 spped car. Does anyone know the gear ratio? Is it better than a stock C5 as far as strength. He also has the trans for sell (nothing really wrong with mine), but is there anything better about Z06 stuff. The car is fast, but I know that better gears will wake it right up. If I should not go stock let any suggestions on what set up to use or upgrades...