I was at the junkyard yesterday and found a 96 camaro with a six cylinder auto that came factory (according to the glove box sticker) with a 3.42 gear posi, Gu-6, Gu-80. Why was this not an available gear for the LT-1 auto cars ? I know the six speed cars all came with the 3.42 ratio but why not in an auto especially with an overdrive tranny ?

 

It just wasn't. GM's decision to offer it that way. You'll have to ask them. I would imagine it had to do with their research regarding performance and fuel economy.

 

6 cyl with Y87 performance option came with 3.42 posi instead of the standard 3.08 non-posi.
Why ? 3.42 posi is better performance than 3.08 non-posi.

 

Yup my 2001 DD V6 Bird has 3.42's and posi plus quick ratio steering.

 

The v8 has enuf grunt for the 3.23 but the little 3.8 can use that little bit of extra gear for torque multiplication and still get decent mileage. The 3.23 helps the mileage of the v8 for C.A.F.E. too.