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Old 12-04-2014, 10:04 AM   #1
SurfnSun
 
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Has anyone swapped a 3.45 rear gear into a ZL1

Ive been a Corvette guy my entire life. But now with 2 toddlers and a wife, the Vette is out.

Ive been thinking about a ZL1 as a daily driver(or CTS-V), but the gas mileage is honestly scaring me off as I drive quite a bit. My last Vette pulled as many as 31 mpg on the highway, and did 16-18 in stop and go traffic....really hard to go down to almost half of that.

Has anyone swapped a 3.45 into a ZL1? Im just curious how much the mpg would improve.
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Old 12-04-2014, 10:10 AM   #2
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The Automatic ZL1's have 3.23 gears, the manuals, have 3.73.

There have been a few who own a manual that have swapped to the 3.23 gears, but that was usually done to increase top speed. (to go for 200mph)


Hydra-Matic 6-Speed Automatic with TAP-Shift 6L90E (MYD)
  • Gear Ratios:
    • First: 4.03
    • Second: 2.36
    • Third: 1.53
    • Fourth: 1.15
    • Fifth: 0.85
    • Sixth: 0.67
    • Reverse: 3.06
    • Final drive ratio: 3.23
Tremec 6-Speed Manual TR6060 (MG9)
  • Gear Ratios:
    • First: 2.66
    • Second: 1.78
    • Third: 1.30
    • Fourth: 1.00
    • Fifth: 0.80
    • Sixth: 0.63
    • Reverse: 2.90
    • Final drive ratio: 3.73
This car is not about Miles per gallon, it is about smiles per gallon. And damn I love driving my car.
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Old 12-04-2014, 11:48 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Expunge View Post
The Automatic ZL1's have 3.23 gears, the manuals, have 3.73.

There have been a few who own a manual that have swapped to the 3.23 gears, but that was usually done to increase top speed. (to go for 200mph)


Hydra-Matic 6-Speed Automatic with TAP-Shift 6L90E (MYD)
  • Gear Ratios:
    • First: 4.03
    • Second: 2.36
    • Third: 1.53
    • Fourth: 1.15
    • Fifth: 0.85
    • Sixth: 0.67
    • Reverse: 3.06
    • Final drive ratio: 3.23
Tremec 6-Speed Manual TR6060 (MG9)
  • Gear Ratios:
    • First: 2.66
    • Second: 1.78
    • Third: 1.30
    • Fourth: 1.00
    • Fifth: 0.80
    • Sixth: 0.63
    • Reverse: 2.90
    • Final drive ratio: 3.73
This car is not about Miles per gallon, it is about smiles per gallon. And damn I love driving my car.
"Ditto" On Above - Gas Mileage Was Never Even Thought About With My Purchase - In My Case - It's Not Miles Per Gallon - But, Feet Per Gallon - LOL
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Old 12-04-2014, 11:53 AM   #4
jon6.0
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I'm just starting to get into 1/2 mile and mile racing. I was thinking about finding somebody to swap my 3.73 diff for their 3.23 diff.
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Old 12-04-2014, 12:32 PM   #5
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first off there is no 3.45 option for this diff 3.23 and 3.73 are it. you could mess with 6th gear in the tanny as well takit to .5 or so like the vett's.


my manaul gest 20hw and 15-16 mixed. you might get 21-22hw and 16-17 mixed with 3.23.


there is no recipe to get 30mpg is boosted 4100lbs car.


even a GT500 with 3.31's gets 23mpg's hyw and it was a couple hundred lbs less.


I would look for less power and lighter if you want to keep in the better milage range. I am not sure waht the new chevy SS gets but n/a car are going to get better milage.
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Old 12-04-2014, 12:45 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hognutz View Post
first off there is no 3.45 option for this diff 3.23 and 3.73 are it. you could mess with 6th gear in the tanny as well takit to .5 or so like the vett's.


my manaul gest 20hw and 15-16 mixed. you might get 21-22hw and 16-17 mixed with 3.23.


there is no recipe to get 30mpg is boosted 4100lbs car.


even a GT500 with 3.31's gets 23mpg's hyw and it was a couple hundred lbs less.


I would look for less power and lighter if you want to keep in the better milage range. I am not sure waht the new chevy SS gets but n/a car are going to get better milage.
Thanks, I didn't realize the rear end wouldn't take that gear. Im extremely novice to Camaro's since Vettes have been my focus since I was 16.

I love the look of the ZL1 and after owning a forced induction Vette, I am a huge fan of that type of power. It's easier to up the power and the need for gear isn't there. I have yet to drive one, but Im honestly a little scared to b/c my logic and rational thought are still intact.

I fully expected to get blasted for making yet another post about gas mileage, but when Im staring down 100-300 hundred miles a week in commute, I can't afford that much gas. Attempting to justify that to my wife....well you know how that would go. Thanks for going easy on me.
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Old 12-04-2014, 12:48 PM   #7
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I have an SS and not a ZL1 but it should be about the "smiles per gallon" hehe.
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Old 12-04-2014, 01:19 PM   #8
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Weight and aero. Hard to make up for what the Vette has with a 4100lb brick. I came from a C6 as well and it's a bit of a surprise when I used to be able to get 400 miles out of a tank (430 was my best) and the same highway crusie is 280 in the ZL1. I needed the back seats as well so it was either that or go to a "regular" car.

There are times when filling up I think "damn, filling up again?!?!" but I know it's the price of admission. I just pick 3 days a week not to eat.
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Old 12-04-2014, 01:46 PM   #9
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I may be intersted in doing a swap with you. Im going to a 4l80e trans and will probably need 3.73's instead of my 3.23

Quote:
Originally Posted by jon6.0 View Post
I'm just starting to get into 1/2 mile and mile racing. I was thinking about finding somebody to swap my 3.73 diff for their 3.23 diff.
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Old 12-04-2014, 01:49 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by revo1059 View Post
Weight and aero. Hard to make up for what the Vette has with a 4100lb brick. I came from a C6 as well and it's a bit of a surprise when I used to be able to get 400 miles out of a tank (430 was my best) and the same highway crusie is 280 in the ZL1. I needed the back seats as well so it was either that or go to a "regular" car.

There are times when filling up I think "damn, filling up again?!?!" but I know it's the price of admission. I just pick 3 days a week not to eat.
My best was my 96 LT4 car that got 525 miles on a single tank twice! My Callaway Twin turbo managed about 27-28 mpg the few times I drove long trips in it and it was making some serious power.

Im in a 4Runner right now and it gets terrible mileage too, but I burn 87 and the payment is only a 1/3 than that of a ZL1.
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Old 12-04-2014, 02:31 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SurfnSun View Post
Thanks, I didn't realize the rear end wouldn't take that gear. Im extremely novice to Camaro's since Vettes have been my focus since I was 16.

I love the look of the ZL1 and after owning a forced induction Vette, I am a huge fan of that type of power. It's easier to up the power and the need for gear isn't there. I have yet to drive one, but Im honestly a little scared to b/c my logic and rational thought are still intact.

I fully expected to get blasted for making yet another post about gas mileage, but when Im staring down 100-300 hundred miles a week in commute, I can't afford that much gas. Attempting to justify that to my wife....well you know how that would go. Thanks for going easy on me.
Maybe look into a 911 with the rear "seats" as I believe it can hold carseats. On the highway, a 991 S gets 27 HWY 19 CITY. That's a different kind of power, obviously, and a completely different car, but if you want two doors, four seats, massive smiles and decent commuting efficiency, that's it.

Convince your wife of that.

Other option? Get a commuting car and keep the Vette as your fun car. I recommend looking into the Elio, myself. I'd like to replace my 14-year-young BMW station wagon with an Elio next year...
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Old 12-04-2014, 03:07 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by boondocksaint View Post
Maybe look into a 911 with the rear "seats" as I believe it can hold carseats. On the highway, a 991 S gets 27 HWY 19 CITY. That's a different kind of power, obviously, and a completely different car, but if you want two doors, four seats, massive smiles and decent commuting efficiency, that's it.

Convince your wife of that.

Other option? Get a commuting car and keep the Vette as your fun car. I recommend looking into the Elio, myself. I'd like to replace my 14-year-young BMW station wagon with an Elio next year...
Solid advice. I have actually contemplated the 911, but honestly I know nothing about them and the idea of service costs scares me a bit.

With a Chevy, I know what Im getting into and living in Daytona Beach(a serious car town)...you need a little American badass-ery when you go cruising

A ZL1 is a pipe dream most likely...There is a 1SS near my house that Im going to test drive here shortly. Will see if it fits the bill or not. Then I will get serious
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Old 12-04-2014, 10:24 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SurfnSun View Post
Thanks, I didn't realize the rear end wouldn't take that gear. Im extremely novice to Camaro's since Vettes have been my focus since I was 16.

I love the look of the ZL1 and after owning a forced induction Vette, I am a huge fan of that type of power. It's easier to up the power and the need for gear isn't there. I have yet to drive one, but Im honestly a little scared to b/c my logic and rational thought are still intact.

I fully expected to get blasted for making yet another post about gas mileage, but when Im staring down 100-300 hundred miles a week in commute, I can't afford that much gas. Attempting to justify that to my wife....well you know how that would go. Thanks for going easy on me.
I honestly really like the overall drive of the zl1 comparted to my 07 Z06 for comfort, little better ride height, I think it comunicates the limit better.

the one downside though is the milage. I could get 24mpg's ont he hwy without trying in my z06. I have to practiaclly hypermile to get over 20mpg's. with my mods hwy is 19.5-20.5. which is real similar to stock.

you could wait for milage figures to be released on the new GT350. should be 3600-3700lbs and get better milage. will have mag ride as well.


or just factor in the extra fuel cost to the budget try to find a smoking deal.
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Old 12-04-2014, 10:27 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SurfnSun View Post
Solid advice. I have actually contemplated the 911, but honestly I know nothing about them and the idea of service costs scares me a bit.

With a Chevy, I know what Im getting into and living in Daytona Beach(a serious car town)...you need a little American badass-ery when you go cruising

A ZL1 is a pipe dream most likely...There is a 1SS near my house that Im going to test drive here shortly. Will see if it fits the bill or not. Then I will get serious

drive the 1le if the Zl1 is a pipe dream. the handling is really good and they wake up easy. you milage will be 3-4mpg better.


the SS mods easy but I was really shocked how well the 1le works when I drove it. a heads, cam, header 1le would proabably lap faster than a zl1. the CSTV or zl1 brakes go right on with delco part numbers of amazon we did in on my freinds and ti was not bad. like $1700 and we sold his 1le brakes for $800. he only has headers right now but most people would be pretty happy with the way his car drives with the eception so might want a tick more power.
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