I read a thread from another user on another forum saying that a touring 6mt has a 3.36 axel ratio and all other have the 3.54

He stated that the other models have more "top end" and they launch better i do not understand this. Can anyone please help clarify it. thx

 

Axle ratio is the final drive ratio, or gear ratio thats in your rear end. This is the first I had heard that anything but the automatic had a different ratio, I think he was confused.

Also what he calls top-end, is usually called low-end, but yes, a numericaly higher gear ratio(refered to as a "lower" gear even though numerically higher) is typically better for acceleration since it creates more torque multiplication.

 

Thanks again you made it clear that the 6mt touring has the same ratio as the other models and only the auto's are different.

 

See Here:
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=11405

 

Manual transmissions have a gear ratio of 3.538
Autos have a gear ratio of 3.357

These specs offset against the transmission gear ratios:
Manual- 1st:3.794 to 6th: .794
Auto- 1st:3.540 to 5th: .834

 

I think he is saying the models with more gearing (low gear/high number) do indeed have a higher top speed (unrestricted) as they will better utilize top gear by pushing the revs into higher RPM's with more power since the car will be drag resistant before it tachs out as well as giving it the obvious benefit of better acceleration. I do not think the terms topend and low end were confused at all. Yes, as krinkov said, the manuals all have the same final ratio in the rear end at 3.55 and the autos have a higher ratio (lower number).

Going with a lower gear will increase top speed AND acceleration until you install the gear that redlines sixth at your given horsepower output. A TT Z would redline 6th with less gearing than a stock powered Z.