Gear Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 671
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City Missouri
Gear Question
On the C7 order form I see a 2.73 ratio and a 2.56 ratio with the 3.42 being the standard. I intend to order a C7 Convertible Z51, I don't plan to track the car or do Top End racing. I want the best all around performance and gas mileage. What is the difference and which one should I choose?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,913
Likes: 395
From: Cary NC
That is not something you can order. They are the result of other choices.
All manual transmissions are 3.42. Automatics are either 2.46 or 2.73 depending on whether you choose the Z51 option or not. Since you are ordering Z51, you will get 3,42 if a manual, 2.73 if an automatic.
All manual transmissions are 3.42. Automatics are either 2.46 or 2.73 depending on whether you choose the Z51 option or not. Since you are ordering Z51, you will get 3,42 if a manual, 2.73 if an automatic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
The final drive ratio will definitely improve mileage but it will be at the expense of overall performance. The meaningless 0-60 will be slower and the 1/4 mile will suffer in both top speed and E.T. However, the improvements in mileage will mostly only be realized on the highway. So if you do many road trips, it will definitely save gas. Otherwise, not so much.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 167
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
On the C7 order form I see a 2.73 ratio and a 2.56 ratio with the 3.42 being the standard. I intend to order a C7 Convertible Z51, I don't plan to track the car or do Top End racing. I want the best all around performance and gas mileage. What is the difference and which one should I choose?
If you are ordering an automatic transmission with the Z51 your only choice will be 2.73.
If you are ordering an automatic transmission without the Z51 package your only choice will be the 2.56.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,168
Likes: 1,336
From: FLL Florida
The final drive ratio will definitely improve mileage but it will be at the expense of overall performance. The meaningless 0-60 will be slower and the 1/4 mile will suffer in both top speed and E.T. However, the improvements in mileage will mostly only be realized on the highway. So if you do many road trips, it will definitely save gas. Otherwise, not so much.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
If you are ordering a manual transmission car, your only choice will be a 3.42 ratio.
If you are ordering an automatic transmission with the Z51 your only choice will be 2.73.
If you are ordering an automatic transmission without the Z51 package your only choice will be the 2.56.
If you are ordering an automatic transmission with the Z51 your only choice will be 2.73.
If you are ordering an automatic transmission without the Z51 package your only choice will be the 2.56.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
Correct. A lot of guys run 4:11 gears in their Vettes but often switch back to 3:42 because they have to use the over drive gears which requires more gear changes, taller overall ratios and slower lap times. The higher the ratio, the higher the temperatures also. Tire wear increases as do carrier clutches. The properties of the rear axle are second only to tires for performance.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,168
Likes: 1,336
From: FLL Florida
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,168
Likes: 1,336
From: FLL Florida
If it only gets torque and traction signals, I don't think it would have to be reprogrammed with a pinion and crown wheel change. I would like to see a lot of tech data released on the C7 such as this but anything electronic is usually closely guarded. I think it is simply active locally unlike f1 and rally cars. I wonder if a F458 or a GT3 ediff gets info from its DCT?