What are the different gear ratios and what are the benefits/disadvantages?

[Deoxyribonucleicvitriol]

I don't understand what the different gear ratios are, and what they do.... I'm new and still learning :D

1) What are the different gear ratios for a 1999+ firebird?

2) What are the advantages of having a larger ratio?

3) ...disadvantages?

4) I don't have tons of experience with cars, but I'm good with my hands and have always been good at fixing/modifying/repairing things... thing I could change the ratio on my own?

5) How much will this cost me if I do it on my own

6) ...if I get a shop to do it?

Thanks tons, you all have done a great job of teaching me about cars.

[Timbo1969]

3.08, 3.23, and 3.42 gears

A higher ratio will give you more torque,thus better launches.

The disadvantage is your gas mileage may suffer a little.

I wouldn't suggest changing the gears yourself if you haven't done it before. As you have to measure the backlash and setup the new gears to match it.

I would cost anywhere from $175 to $225 for gears and about $130 for the deluxe install kit. Then of course your time.

A shop will do it for around $300 if you bring the gears in.

[Deoxyribonucleicvitriol]

...and LSD... what about this?

[Timbo1969]

Limited Slip differential.... It definitly makes a difference in the lauch capability of your car. Two wheels turning at the launch instead of one. I got mine used for $200 and the install was only $150 as they didn't have to change out the gears. If they did everything it would have been $300

[KyleJ25]

What kinda of LSD do you have?

[Deoxyribonucleicvitriol]

Oh, I wouldn't know... don't have the dream car yet [img]smile.gif[/img]

[95Batmobile]

Don't forget 3.73 gears.
2) Advantage is a better launch, like somebody said.
3) Your top speed is techinically limited too. I don't see gas mileage as a disadvantage, because my mileage did not go down when I went from 3.23 to 3.73 gears.
4) I don't think you can, you need some special tools and it takes a god amount of experience to install them without having then whine afterward.
5) My gears and install kit were $291 brand new, LSD is another $100 if you get the SLP one. I got my gears installed for $120 if I remember correctly. So $400 total, $500 with LSD. I would recommend LSD, it is hard to launch the car with 3.73s and an open diff (open diff meaning you will pretty much spin 1 tire when you launch, it's hard not to spin with higher gears, making u slower off the line).

[wishigotan8]

the lower the gear(higher number..like a 3.73instead of 3.23) the higher your motor will have to rev to get the same MPH, if you drive 75 on the highway your almost turning 3 grand with 3.73s. It also lowers your top speed. The way i see it the lower the better though who drives around at 150 anyway..I like 4.10s

[Mister_Johnny99]

thing I could change the ratio on my own?

Don't try to change gears if you're not an experienced mechanic. You need special tools, and alot of patience to get them set up properly.

3.08, 3.23, and 3.42 gears

Don't forget 3.73 gears.

There are other ratios available, but the first three came from the factory, and your computer can recognize them (YOU WILL NEED TO REPROGRAM YOUR COMPUTER).
Unless you're racing, 3.42's are the lowest you need to go on a street car while retaining all the stock driveability.

['98 BlackBird]

The best thing I have found is to just find a used complete rear axle off a T/A or Camaro with the gears you are lookng for. It is much cheeper and from what I am told, it's an easy install.

[3.4socalbird]

Somehow i'm under the impression that if i make the jump to 3.73's from the 3.23's that i have now, that i will lose top end? Will I lose top end? I'd like to get some gears put in my car but only going to 3.42's doesn't seem worth it since i already have 3.23's. 3.73's would be nice but not if it kills my top end? Anybody know for sure?

[Mister_Johnny99]

i'm under the impression that if i make the jump to 3.73's from the 3.23's that i have now, that i will lose top end?

Be more specific.
Are you talking about Street, Drag strip, or Road racing?
Your "theoretical" maximum speed will be lower, but you don't have enough power to reach that speed anyway, and you would never go that fast on the street.