Altering gearing does affect weight though, and reciprocating weight too. A numerically higher gear has a thicker ring gear and a thicker pinion gear so it weighs more, and is more of a drag on the drivetrain even though it produces a higher torque multipication. Same with adding a 6 speed tranny , you have all the gearsets for the one more gear making it heavier. Like a C4 compared to a 4R70W, the C4 weighs less but is it really an advantage if I have a custom gearset (steep) 1-3 and a highway OD gear in the 4R70W even if the tranny weighs more? Like i said, its hard to just throw a blanket over everything and call it covered.
Adam