I have a basically stock '88 Iroc with a 9-bolt and 3.70 gears. It doesn't pull after 4500, so would my car be faster with a smaller gear, or should I keep the 3.27's?

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1980 Camaro, '88 Police 350 engine, Headers, full exhaust, completely redone, my baby!
1988 Iroc-Z L98, MSD 6a, Accel coil, K+N's, Airfoil, Coolant Bypass, Flowmaster, Gears, Late model Bose, I like the 80 better

 

The larger gears give you more power down low but less power as you get up in the RPM's. It's a trade off you gotta be willing to make.

But I do think 3.70 should still pull @ 4500 RPM's

-Max

 

As long as you don't run out of your powerband and you have good traction, deeper gears will be faster. If you don't want to get into overdrive at the end of the quarter mile(or can't at WOT) deeper gears will hurt performance if you cross the line past your HP peak. Optimum gears will put you at the finish close to your HP peak--in your case around 4500.


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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro

 

If all you do is change the gears and nothing else your car will get slower at top speed only. But then... how often do you drive that fast anyway?

Note that your lack of power after 4500 is not likely due to the gears. Bigger gears will make that problem worse as you will hit 4500 sooner.

 

Ok, assuming that I'm not looking to do anything too crazy the car, what should I do to make it take advantage of the gears?
Also is it realistic to expect decent gas mileage with these gears, like 23 mph highway?

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1980 Camaro, '88 Police 350 engine, Headers, full exhaust, completely redone, my baby!
1988 Iroc-Z L98, MSD 6a, Accel coil, K+N's, Airfoil, Coolant Bypass, Flowmaster, Gears, Late model Bose, I like the 80 better

 

yes that can be expected because I just read a post of someone taken there 84 H.O. with 3.73's fromt orlando to Buffalo and he got 23 mpg's on the highway.

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I WOULD RATHER PUSH A CAMARO THAN DRIVE AN IMPORT

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package , dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, ASCD SS hood, 16" IROC rims.

future mods:
completely done over suspension, black paint with flames, Hurst shifter, dakota digital gauge package, procharger supercharger.