Here is another tech:

One of the best mods on a stang is gears. Why? Because Ford builds the mustangs for the masses and late model cars come with fuel efficient 3.27's. So what gear should you get? Here is my "expert" humble opinion:

3.55's - Waste of time on a near stock or even moderately modded mustang. Good fit if putting down lots and lots of power.

3.73's - Great "all a round gear" and ideal for the person who has his stang as a daily driver. Good gear for a power adder too such as turbo or nitrous.

3.96's - For wimps who won't get 4.10's (hey, don't get offended, but just get the darn 4.10's). I would get this gear for a daily driven automatic possibly.

4.10's - The perfect gear for a near stock or even modified NA stang that is not putting down too much power. Also a good choice for nitrous applications from the stand point that most of the time, you don't run the juice anyway.

4.30's - Great gear for an auto when 4.10's are desired.

Keep in mind that choice of tire and rim size will affect your final drive ratio. If the owner desires to increase his tire and wheel height, that is the same as going back on a gear size.

Also, while GT's come standard with 3.27's, Mach I's have 3.55's as well as Cobra's. If I had a car that came stock with a 3.55, I would most likely not waste my time with the expense of putting in 3.73's. That might be a good time to go with 4.10's or at least a 3.96.

Simply "upgrading" to 18 inch rims even if the tire and wheel height is the same as with 17's will slow the car down off the line due to the extra weight of the combo. Going up in gear will give the car back what it lost and then some more.

 

Another great tech thread. Thanks for the advice...now Im even more confused on what gears to get.

 

Looks like Gears are next!

 

i think 4.10's no less on any 4.6 stang , i had 3.73's and regreted them so went to 4.10's

 

Good post.

Anyone know the rpm difference between 3.73s and 4.10s at 70mph in 5th gear? I would like to go with 4.10s in the future, but I do take the car on some decently long trips and don't want my gas mileage to go completely down the tubes.

 

mine was 200 or 250 rpm diffrence if i remember correctly ! gas mileage wasnt affected much but i recomend u got 4.10's u wont regret it !

 

Ok, cool. Thanks for the info. Just have to save up some extra money now.

 

Just get my 3.73 installed for $300 included additional parts and I'm very happy with it

I like the kick in second gear!

 

I have a 98 GT and it has 2.73 so 3.55 would feel considerably faster for me anyways but what is the cost of getting them put in regularly?

 

$500 - $700 is what you should expect to pay for parts AND labor from a shop. It is a difficult job. An inexperienced person can take all day. Some pros can do in 2 - 3 hours.

 

4.10's!

I'd say the install price depends on your market. In MN, there is a deal for about $375 right now, and that's one of the most recommended speed shops here offering it.

Me, I'm going to attempt them myself. I know, I know. I'm not recommending that the average joe attempt this. Not that I'll be very successful -- I just want to learn!

 

Chris Winters down at Crazy Horse Racing in South Amboy NJ installed my 373's in 1 hour and 15 minutes. Needless to say I was amazed. Great place to have work done.

 

Besides gears....what is all neccesary for a low mileage automatic?

 

hour and 15 minutes? Are you sure they actually put in gears? That's fast!!!!!

 

Just put in My 3.73's last week and cant stop smiling. This definetly should be everybodys first mod

 

Welcome to the board Mike!

Another happy gear customer!

 

yeah 500 bucks sound more like it to me. thats what i paid to have my 99 f150's gears changed to 4.10's

 

I guess it depends on the mufflers you have, but im afraid that if I only go to a 3.73, it will put me right smack dab in the middle of drone central and I DONT want that.

 

Don't fear the gear or the drone, you didn't buy a mustang to be guiet or slow, did you? I have 4.10's in my 98gt, don't get 3.73 and regret it as so many others have.

 

Yep. I watched him do it. Chris Winters is a regular in MM&FF mag. He is an expert. Guys got an '03 Cobra, stock except for a Bassani mid pipe and cat back and a different blower pulley, runs 11.8's at Englishtown on stock tires. He is the best driver I have ever seen. He drove my car with me in it to check the gears out after the install, he made my car do things that I could not duplicate in my wildest dreams.He told me that with my car and its mods, he could run way low 13's all day. Wish I could do that.

 

Just goes to show you that the best mod is a good driver.

 

yuo just gotta practice powershifting it makes your car go bloody fast.

 

I want 4.10's just need the funds, haha...

 

Yea I think im going to buy the gears and speedcal and then when tax returns come, Im going to get them installed...mmm cant wait. Oh and then of course theres graduation money LOL .

 

Graduation? Zhit, how are are you guys? I am an old fart. I am probably the oldest fart on this forum.

But, I am starting grad school in a few months. Finally going for the MBA.

 

Im the kid that everyone hates because im in highschool with a V8. The only thing is mommy and daddy didnt buy my car. They signed the paper, but Yours Truely makes the monthly on it...Kinda sucks but ive definately got an appreciation of how the whole monthly budget thing works. I am also really mature for my age and unlike most other teenages with V8's, i dont find being a Jackass in my car to be something to joke about. These cars demand respect and when you thing you are a man, it will show you its *** in a hurry. Gosh, I sound like you you old fart Hope yalls opinion of my hasnt changed. LOL better than the hondas I used to want...oh lord, what was I thinking.

 

Matt:

When it comes to cars, you are WAY ahead of me. I had to wait until I was 36 for my first Mustang. But it came after being married, three kids, two boats, a house, a college education, over a dozen cars and serving my country (not all in that order).

No, my opinion of you has not changed, but I would have guessed you were about 25.

Having a car that young is great, just be sure that the car does not prevent you from doing other important things in life such as education etc... and of course girls.

 

Oh no, I definately couldnt do without the girl thing and a car will NEVER ever get in the way of my going to college and getting married. My girlfriend laughs at me because of the way I save my money, and I just have to tell her that one day it will buy my house, then ill spend the car money. Oh, and thats after the two kids I plan on. My parents taught me early the saving game.

 

Hell I'm 37 had to give up my first toy when I got married, a 68 Fastback with a stout built 351. I always said I'll have another one, now I have my 98 gt, presently saving for an '05, although that might have to wait since I just bought 2 new motorcycles, 1 for me & 1 for the wife. I guess I might be an older person by some standards, but I refuse to grow up, hah!

 

No problem in being a kid man, I sometimes wish I could just go back a couple years(and im not even old).