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Can I change out my 1978 Corvette differential from a 3.08 to a 2.72 without any negative side effects?

My 78 Vette drives great but when I hit the highway at speeds of 70 MPH + the RPMs reach from 2800 up 3200 which makes me nervous. Especially since it red lines at 5400. I have found I can order an 80/81 model Vette rear end with 2.72 gearing. I am wondering though if that will cause any unwanted effects ie: pinging when climbing hills, or problems with the automatic transmission downshifting.

Really, in a vette do not change the gears to higher (lower #), you will hate the accel (take off) it has.

Don't worry about the RPM.. Too many people are too damn use to new cars with overdrive and lockup converters.. People now thinks 2500 rpm is high rpm

Remember the OD trans and low rpms didnt start till the mid 80's.. Chevy made MANY cars with 3 speed trans, and 3.42 or better gears for 25 years before this low rpm OD thing. Where 4000 rpm and above was norm driving speed on the highway

3200 rpm aint gonna hurt it a bit.. Spin the thing to 4500 rpm and have fun.. Its not gonna blow up. No reason to be nervous.

I can tell you right now, a stock SBC will take alot more RPMs than you think. I have spun stock bottom end engines as high as 7K before.. Not good but still..

The weakest, and most limiting parts for RPMs are the valve springs and the rod bolts.

Mine aint stock, but every shift is made at 6400 rpm, has a 3500 stall converter and 3.89 gears with a 3 speed autro.. I run 90+ mph on the highway.. In fact its my daily driver so it gets alot of use.