What gear ratio to choose?

**Electric** · 08-28-2009, 08:26 AM

I am having a tough time deciding between 3:73 and 3:90 gears in my 02 Z06. I would like some people's input. The car is going to stay NEAR stock or at most a mild cam/headers only. With that said, I think 4:10s would be a little too much since I do cruise in the car mostly.

The car is not visiting a race track and the only racing if ever would be a run in on the street from a roll-on if anything. I am leaning towards 3:73s but would love some input.

Right now the car barely spins in first with the tires I have on there so traction ISNT a problem right now but I heard with 4.10s it will be maybe even in 2nd!

Thanks

**Qwk Vet** · 08-30-2009, 09:40 AM

I use 3.73s and drive mine on the road abunch and love that ratio. Seams to me 4.10s would be a little to much unless racing!

**Electric** · 08-31-2009, 05:03 AM

How is your 1st gear traction? (assuming you dont have stock tires)

**Qwk Vet** · 08-31-2009, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by Electric

How is your 1st gear traction? (assuming you dont have stock tires)

Mine hooks like a Bear but I run 295x45x17 M/T Drs. Mine even hooks with 150 hp of NOS!

**Electric** · 09-01-2009, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by Qwk Vet

Mine hooks like a Bear but I run 295x45x17 M/T Drs. Mine even hooks with 150 hp of NOS!

I have stock size (295/40/18) Vredestein's. They hook very well in first gear. I just wish I could know how well the car would hook with the 73s vs the 90s. I dont care that much if I spin in 1st but 2nd I want grip!

**ahmadooo** · 09-03-2009, 04:00 AM

in my opinion keep the original one which is 3:42 right ?
or you can fix the 3:73 and its better for the street cruising !

***BlownC5*** · 09-04-2009, 07:05 PM

If you drag race, the 3.90 and 4.10s will probably make you have to shift to 5th by the end of the traps.

**Rk ws6** · 09-04-2009, 10:12 PM

4.11s have them in car very driveable and LOTS of fun a MUST for any 6 speed car just my .02

**Blown Interceptor** · 09-07-2009, 07:05 PM

3.90's in mine and love'em...

**35th-ANV-SS** · 09-07-2009, 07:23 PM

I've been told that the 3.90 gear is a special cut and is typically louder for rear-end gear noise as opposed to the 3.73 or 4.10/4.11.

May be dependent on the manufacture, but I heard this for the 3.89/3.91 for Moser 9/12.

**Zinergy** · 09-08-2009, 09:59 AM

i had a t/a not a vette. But 4.10s worked great for me. Still got 24mpg freeway with bolt ons only.

**preston1980** · 09-09-2009, 07:08 AM

You should have 295/35/18 rear tires. also remeber that anyone with out a M12 transmission will have differant results than you. The Zo6 has a lower 1st, 2nd, 3rd gear. The regular m6 tranny in the fbods or regular c5 is best with 3.90's, but with a Z I would only go as low as 3.73's. With 3.90's or 4.10's you will spin through 1st and 2nd gear with street tires. Drag radials will still spin in 1st. 3.73's run great in a c5z

**drkvette** · 09-13-2009, 04:29 AM

3:90 I highly recomend

**jonnyboy_1985** · 10-08-2009, 04:59 PM

what kinda fuel mileage r you getting from 3.90s and 4.10s i have a cam 228/228 588lift lsa 112 with suporting mods and it is a 6 speed what gears should i go with 3.73 or 3.90

**danziger** · 10-19-2009, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by preston1980

You should have 295/35/18 rear tires. also remeber that anyone with out a M12 transmission will have differant results than you. The Zo6 has a lower 1st, 2nd, 3rd gear. The regular m6 tranny in the fbods or regular c5 is best with 3.90's, but with a Z I would only go as low as 3.73's. With 3.90's or 4.10's you will spin through 1st and 2nd gear with street tires. Drag radials will still spin in 1st. 3.73's run great in a c5z

Yep. If you are on the street mostly, keep the 3.42s or go 3.73. The M12 makes the rear ratio "feel" like a 3.90 already, so unless you are on drag-radials, traction may be an issue.