Question on 2016 Z51
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 887
Likes: 502
Question on 2016 Z51
Call me clueless when it comes to some specs on the corvette .
So a quick question, the Z51 axle ratio is 2.73 while both the base Stingray and the Z06 have 2.41 axle ratios.
What does this difference do? I imagine a Z51 gets less MPG. then the base corvette.
The manual axles are the same and the transmission shift points are all alike.
thanks
So a quick question, the Z51 axle ratio is 2.73 while both the base Stingray and the Z06 have 2.41 axle ratios.
What does this difference do? I imagine a Z51 gets less MPG. then the base corvette.
The manual axles are the same and the transmission shift points are all alike.
thanks
Last edited by C7nut; Feb 18, 2023 at 08:37 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 240
Likes: 105
From: Dallas Oregon
Three yrs ago I traded my 2018 base m7 stingray for a 2019 A8 z51, the z51 A8 has lower gearing, and better acceleration, it revs quicker, and seems to pull harder than my base did on my seat of the pants opinion. Fuel mileage is down at an average of two mpg. However the rpm is basically the same at free way speeds. Hope this helps.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 10,460
Likes: 1,751
From: North Texas
Quicker acceleration. The engine will get into the meat of the powerband at a lower speed. The differential ratio change gives your engine more mechanical leverage to accelerate the car, with a possible slight drop in fuel efficiency.
Moderator
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 15,280
Likes: 4,211
From: Northern Illinois
2023 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
St. Jude Donor '18 thru '25
No offense, but in my humble opinion, if MPG your biggest concern.. a nice economy car may be better fit? I truthfully have no clue or never once thought about mileage on my Z06.. These Sports Cars first, do people really stress over mileage in a sports car?? I must be crazy I guess, I never understand it, I think about Horsepower and performance first
Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,797
Likes: 2,721
From: So. Cal.
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
No offense, but in my humble opinion, if MPG your biggest concern.. a nice economy car may be better fit? I truthfully have no clue or never once thought about mileage on my Z06.. These Sports Cars first, do people really stress over mileage in a sports car?? I must be crazy I guess, I think about Horsepower and performance first
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 887
Likes: 502
No offense, but in my humble opinion, if MPG your biggest concern.. a nice economy car may be better fit? I truthfully have no clue or never once thought about mileage on my Z06.. These Sports Cars first, do people really stress over mileage in a sports car?? I must be crazy I guess, I never understand it, I think about Horsepower and performance first
Other then that, thanks guys for explaining the Z51 axle ratio difference.
Last edited by C7nut; Feb 19, 2023 at 04:28 PM.
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
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,706
Likes: 539
From: Hampton VA
I dont care about the gas mileage I didnt buy it for that, but it is nice when people comment about gas and a Corvette I can say I get 30+ on the highway and almost 28 overall on a 2000 mile trip on back roads. 
Moderator
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 15,280
Likes: 4,211
From: Northern Illinois
2023 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
St. Jude Donor '18 thru '25
Here is some info for you, but you did mention MPG.. and as you can tell most aren't that concerned with it..
https://media.chevrolet.com/media/us...peed-lead.html
https://media.chevrolet.com/media/us...peed-lead.html
Roadster Madness. 😠
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,295
Likes: 2,367
From: Ventura Co Ca
SoCal Regional Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '13, '20-'21
Here is what I figured out and is unscientific.
My 1995 Roadster was the only 95 Convertible with a Performance Rear End. My best gas mileage, was about 22-24 MPG. Talking to other Roadster owner's at Meets, I was averaging 2 MPG less than they did. I figured it was a good trade-off.
I drove my 2006 Roadster from its pickup at the Corvette National Museum, back to the left coast. I figured I lost about one mile per gallon with the top down. The grins were worth it!
My 1995 Roadster was the only 95 Convertible with a Performance Rear End. My best gas mileage, was about 22-24 MPG. Talking to other Roadster owner's at Meets, I was averaging 2 MPG less than they did. I figured it was a good trade-off.
I drove my 2006 Roadster from its pickup at the Corvette National Museum, back to the left coast. I figured I lost about one mile per gallon with the top down. The grins were worth it!
