Gears question

I have a 1998 Gt (5 speed), which is stock for the most part with 245/45/17 tires. I was wondering just how much of a difference 3.90 or 3.73 gears would make as far as top speed reduction and 0-60/quartermile times. If anybody has any information as to how much of a difference I might expect it would be greatly appreciated.

At about $400 gears are gonna be about your best bang for the buck. Possibly drop you 2 tenths. Personally i would go with 3.90s if you're not going with a power adder, but if you ride the highway a lot or think you might have a traction problem, you can't go wrong with 3.73s.

According to speed calculators, top speed isn't limited by redline and will prolly just get you there faster assuming you get your limiter changed. Here's a good one Skyline posted a while back:
http://www.speedworldmotorplex.com/calc.htm

A 4.6 don't have the umph to redline in 5th anyway, so lower gears are going to up your top speed, which doesn't matter anyway because running that kind of speed is pretty dumb on the street. Too many possibilities of something running out in front of you or hitting a gravel/dirt loose spot.

If you drive in the snow...LEAVE IT ALONE!! But if you don't drive in snow or rain 3.73's are the best all around gear but 4.10's are even better for performance. The 4.10's will only add about 200rpm's at 65mph. I would go with 4.10's, but more guys do go with 3.73's, I guess they're scared to go with the 4.10's because of gas mileage. Like I said, there is only about 200rpm's difference at 65mph.

If you drive in the snow...LEAVE IT ALONE!! But if you don't drive in snow or rain 3.73's are the best all around gear but 4.10's are even better for performance. The 4.10's will only add about 200rpm's at 65mph. I would go with 4.10's, but more guys do go with 3.73's, I guess they're scared to go with the 4.10's because of gas mileage. Like I said, there is only about 200rpm's difference at 65mph.

It goes a lot deeper than people are scared of the milage :)

4.10s are not the best performance gear. :naughty:

LOL Skyline = politicly correct :nutkick:

He is right. There is no "best" gear. It all depends on your combo and what you want to do with it.

Man Sky!! You and I just can't agree on this gear thing! Don't get me wrong, I still think you're a Mustang God, I agree with you on everything except this issue. I guess what I mean when I say 3.73's are the best all around gear is, that for a car that see's alot of street time and some track time, then 3.73's are great. But if you don't drive your car on the street in the winter or rain and it see's some track time go with the 4.10's. And that's just for cars with the basic bolt-on stuff or a mild cam and stuff (nothing major). Ofcourse if you have an engine that's built to rev high or low or whatever the case may be, then these gears may not be for you. Also if you're into road course racing 3.73 or 4.10 may not be for you either, maybe 3.55's. So I guess I do agree with you....again Sky. I just like 3.73-4.10's for mostly stock cars for drag racing. Yes, I still bow to you...just sometimes I give you the finger when you're not looking. lol

:d :)

I had a '98 GT and I went with the 3.73s. I really liked the setup. Made the car really feel right. Definitely more punchy, without making it ridiculously short-legged on the highway. A good all-around setup.

Dave
http://www.autiv.com/articles/drive_test_mustang_gt_1.htm

i have a 97 gt its got a few bolt on mods its gonna see alot more this winter, i jsut bought the car a month ago. but what i want to know is what gears are gonna give me the fastest 0-60 i dont drive the car in snow or rain this is stricktly a fun car to bring to the track on the weekends. im just starting out with american cars i have always driven hondas and vws, i figured it was time for a change, so any help with any topic would be greatly appreciated.

Need more info.

What kind of bolt ons are we talkin? Man or auto?

Welcome to the proper side on the "Go Fast Crack Pipe"

c/a/i/e i think it has an aftermarket clutch to i havnt had a chance to tear it down yet to look. i bought it from a dealership as is cause it was trade in. the dealer put a new rearend in it but they used stock gears. it is a 5 speed.

Are you thinking of going with a power adder down the road? (nitrous, supercharger or turbo)
If your are you may wanna take that into consideration for your gear selection. Im running a 3.73 right now which was a fantastic gear before the supercharger came into the picture. Now Im wishing I had gone with a 3.55

yes defiantly going with a power adder, ima power junkie, i wont be able to stop till i can find anything else to do except build a bigger motor. my goal is to try to reach 450ish rwhp then decide where to go from then

sorry for any typos you catch in my threads i havea broken finger kinda gets in the way.

Hey eillob, why do you wish you had 3.55's after the supercharger? Does it spool up too quick now? Does it lose traction at higher rpm? I don't know, I've never driven a car w/ supercharger. Thanks.

Hey eillob, why do you wish you had 3.55's after the supercharger? Does it spool up too quick now? Does it lose traction at higher rpm? I don't know, I've never driven a car w/ supercharger. Thanks.

Exactly. It spools quickly and makes first gear extremely short. 3.73's make first gear short anyway, hard launches with a supercharger make it even shorter.

If you've never driven a supercharged car think about it like this. When you first start modifiying your stang its always suggested to go with a set of gears because it makes helps your motor move your car quicker. With a supercharger your motor needs a lot less help so you don't need as much gear.

I've never driven a car w/ supercharger. Thanks.

That is why you think 4.10 are so great, but they are not when you have power. Torque will always make up for higher (lower numerical) gear selection.

With 3.55 and my S-trim, I was always fighting for traction, I wish I had gone with 3.27s in my case.

3.55 is a damn good gear, plus you can alway put some 28s on the back and drop it down to around 3.27, if you you want.