simply put, a larger # gear is actually going to be lower ratio, 4.10 is lower than 3.55.. so off the line will feel stronger and quicker and will allow the engine/trans to "pull" harder through the cars RPM range. If you have the car set up properly you would be "pulling" all the way to the finish line.. available HP plays a huge roll in selecting your ratio as does your goals for drivability.. that same lower gear that got you to the finish line first is also why you are at the gas station first. See?
the trans thing.. you've seen how your RPM changes as you shift of course, if your car is shifting at 3000 RPM then your driveshaft will have the an RPM correlating (but different) due to it's size ~ in other words, just because you are shifting at 3000 doesn't mean the shaft is at 3000 BUT what ever the shaft RPM is at 3000 will always be the same at 3000 no matter the gear you are in.
