Not a significant difference.

 

The tire height will probably be the same regardless of wheel option. They will most likely make it up in the sidewall. A 245/50/16 is the same height as a 275/40/17. A 265/50/18, 275/45/19, and 275/40/20 are all very close in height. Just an example.

 

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

A little more info for arguments sake.

2010 Camaro SS
Max speed per gear assuming 6600 RPM redline as in the Corvette.
1st 3.01 54 MPH
2nd 2.07 79
3rd 1.43 114
4th 1.00 163
5th 0.84 196
6th 0.57 286

Final Drive 3.45

275/40-20 tires




BMW M3
Max speed per gear assuming 8300 RPM redline.
1st - 4.78 35 MPH
2nd - 2.93 58
3rd - 2.15 78
4th - 1.68 100
5th - 1.39 121
6th - 1.20 141
7th - 1.00 169

Final drive 3.85

Tire Size 265/35-19

 

The new M3 has no overdrive ratio? Really?

 

According to the Car and Driver article, no, they don't.



That's precious......I love that! Yeah, assuming 6600 redline and an extra 1000 Hp that is!

 

Two things:
1. According to the Car and Driver article the M3 has a Final Drive ratio of 3.15:1
2. The article also states that the M3 is governored to 161 mph, so your figures on that score are probably more accurate.

 

Are you kidding me! We are going to have to take the 2010 Camaro through the traps banging off the rev limiter in 3rd or shift to 4th right before the traps. Errrrr, just like the 4th Gen.

What was GM thinking here???

It looks like they should have given the Camaro SS the 3.70 gears they gave the G8 GXP. Lets hope they atleast make them an option, because the gearing of this car is really starting to worry me.

2010 Camaro SS with 3.70 rear gears:

1st 3.01 50 MPH
2nd 2.07 73
3rd 1.43 106
4th 1.00 152
5th 0.84 180
6th 0.57 ---

Maybe they did it so we will all run 4.10 gears again!!!

2010 Camaro SS with 4.10 rear gears:

1st 3.01 45 MPH
2nd 2.07 66
3rd 1.43 96
4th 1.00 137
5th 0.84 163
6th 0.57 ---

 

I am thinking that the coefficient of drag just might have a slight effect on those numbers.

 

Hmmm... 3.85 is the number I found somewhere, but lets assume C&D is correct.

BMW M3
Max speed per gear assuming 8300 RPM redline.
1st - 4.78 43 MPH
2nd - 2.93 70
3rd - 2.15 96
4th - 1.68 123
5th - 1.39 148
6th - 1.20 172
7th - 1.00 206

Final drive 3.15

Tire Size 265/35-19

Those are some really close gears.
I dont really know much about those cars but I would assume they have a very peaky powerband.

 

Fitment and aesthetic issues aside, heres what changing the rolling stock from
275/40-20 that it comes with to the more common 275/40-17.

275/40-20 28.6" tire

275/40-20 25.7" tire


2010 Camaro SS
Max speed per gear assuming 6600 RPM redline as in the Corvette.
1st 3.01 49 MPH
2nd 2.07 71
3rd 1.43 102
4th 1.00 146
5th 0.84 174
6th 0.57 256

Final Drive 3.45

275/40-17

The 3-4 shift would put you at about 4600 RPM.

 

Sure it will, and rolling resistance, frontal area, etc. I was assuming the car will trap around 110-112mph, which would make shifting to 4th or holding 3rd a close call. Most of us will probably have to shift to 4th, just like the 4th Gen and that will hurt the cars time by a couple tenths. Nothing some gears wouln't fix, but I am still surprised at GM's gear choice.

Based on the preliminary numbers, I think this is going to be a car where your money is much better spent on gears and tires than cold air induction, exhaust, and headers.

I expect this car to do some impressive things with nothing more than gears and tires. Who out there is willing to do gears and tires only shortly after getting their Camaro? I'm thinking 4.10's and Dr's or slicks should net some low 12's.

 

WOW. So the M3 has more gear in 2nd then the Camaro in 1st... M3 has more in 7th then the Z in 4th.. haha.