So last night I ordered the internals from a 2000 Z28 rear: a auburn posi w/3.42 gears. After some hesitation I finally ordered feeling like it was a pretty good deal. Considering I'm in the city and have no place to attempt to swap an entire rear I will just get mine rebuilt with kit and knew posi and gear set up.
The thing is before I found this deal I was thinking 3.73 for the rear.
I currently have 3.23 and am hoping for some feedback on whether I'll notice the difference and be happy w/the 3.42 setup or if I should just get the 3.73 before I get the rear rebuilt and just sell the 3.42 gears?
Even if I decide to go w/3.73 in the end I still feel like my original purchase is worth it just to get the limited slip and am sure someone will take the 3.42 gears off me.

All positve info and opinions are welcome.
Thanks

 

you said youre in the city. any highway driving, and how often? what size tire are you running? 3.23 to 3.42 isnt much of a jump, but 3.73 will be noticeable. if you are under 50 most of the time, the 3.73 will get you better fuel economy as well

 

I normally don't drive Alot in the city. Usually travel between the boroughs on the local highways and I try to avoid the rush hour traffic hours. I will travel highway when going out to the suburbs and occasionally Jersey and sometimes NE PA when I go to my Mother's house like this weekend. I don't drive everyday so I'm not so worried about gas milage. Just want to get the most out the car (acceleration and speed) to really sh*t on these city ricers when i have to. My future plan to rebuild the engine w/all new internals and possibly a slight bore, but hopefully not for a few years unless I come across a suitcase full of money, lol.
Oh yeah, tires are 275 40 ZR17

 

with the larger tires, definatly go with the 3.73 gears. even highway, you may see a slight improvement in mileage. around town/low speed mileage will greatly improve as it will require less effort to get moving. i was thinking your car was a z28, you sig didnt show up in your first post. you may want to even consider 3.90 gears. its what is going into darlingreject's car as it wont hurt the highway mpg any, it will only rise 600 rpm at 70 mph. she currently has 3.42 gears, auto, and 245/50/16. it doesnt have much bottom end, but from 40 up it really moves. 4.10 gears though would be pushing the engine a little high for the highway

 

Thanks for all the info Micro. I wish I had a Z28 but I love my sixxer and hope to get a LS1 after I move out the city so for the next couple of years I'm just planning to get as much out the L36 as I can. Think I'll go with the 3.73 gears, I'm hoping to get everything done in the next week or two. Then I'm going to have to get a tune and do my brakes, lol.
By the way congratulations I believe I read somewhere about an engagement; and house in the near future for you and DarlingReject.

 

Read these stickies/FAQs, especially "Want to know the Effect of Changing Gear Ratios? Look Here First!":

Your questions are answered in here! Look here first! - LS1TECH

 

Thanks for the info Liberty. On both of my threads. Good stuff

 

Hmmm....you'd think guys at a place called LS1 "Tech" would know the difference between "higher" gears, and lower! And I agree....3.73 is a great combo gear, especially with having overdrive.