[Hib Halverson]

The stock axle, during development a 3.54, but virtually all of production a 3.45, was picked because GM wanted the car to have a top speed of 180-mph in fifth gear so the ratio was selected such that, at the engine's power peak, it would be going about 180.

A good 368 or 385 is going to not only make more power but will likely have a higher power peak, so the car could still make 180 but with a slightly lower axle.

When I owned Barney, it's Automasters "Street Skinner" 350 made about 505-hp and 413 at the tire, but it did that about 500-rpm higher. My "plan book" always had a change to a 3.73 or so axle ratio listed. I'd have gained some acceleration and maintained the coveted 180-mph top speed. Never got a chance to do that.

Also, Barney had a McLeod aluminum flywheel and I never had trouble driving that with the car's stock 3.45 axle ratio. "rkrieh" seems to think there's a problem with an aluminum wheel and the stock axle, but, in 20 years of driving Barney in all kinds of situations, I never had trouble.

I have aluminum wheels in both my C5 ZO6 and my C6 ZO6. Both cars have stock 3.42 axles and I have no problem driving them.