4.10 or 3.73!?

[stangstevers]

I'm going to the shop next week to get the gears done - currently 2.73 and I'm tired of this thing being a dog. I have both new sets in stock...

A few things to note:

- My Z-spec T5 has 2.95 first compared to 3.35 and .63 5th instead of .68
- Plan for around 300-330RWHP N/A for now (I'm not sure about boost anymore)
- Cam is 3000 to 6000rpm range
- Not a ton of highway, however I may do a 5 hour trip once a year and 2300-2400rpm doesn't scare me much at highway speeds
- Tires are a tad taller than stock but not by much

I do fear the gear a little but don't want to put 3.73 and regret it later on. Probably never will go to the 1/4 mile but would love to take it to a road course but it's mostly a weekend "romp on it" car to indulge in stupid activities when the cops aren't looking lol

EDIT... Gear confusion on my part lol

[FABMAN]

I would tell you to go with 3.73 based on a couple things you mentioned.
Taller 1st and 5th gears mean 1st would likely be useless with 4:10s and 5th on that long drive would put you right around exhaust drone levels on that long annual trip.
Then you said you are not going to track it so why bother with an extreme (for a street car) gear?

My .02 but it’s your ride, and you can always change the gears out down the road if the 3:73 ends up being too tame but compared to your current gear both will be a huge upgrade.

[stangstevers]

Sorry I meant shorter gear...

Z has 2.95 first compared to 3.35
and .63 5th instead of .68

[Stephen06GT]

3.73s would get my vote. As Fab said , 4.10s would make first gear pretty much useless. You would be turning your 5-speed into a 4-speed.

Full disclosure, I have 3.73s in my 06GT.

[WidowrRacing]

I would pick the 3.73.

[Uncle Buck]

Another vote for 373

[mavrrrick]

373......best of both worlds.

[fast Ed]

3.73 behind a manual trans pushrod 5.0 unless it's a drag car! I actually really liked 3.55 for all-around usage in my old car way back when, but I'm a bit of a sissy-pants I guess. LOL


cheers
Ed

[stangstevers]

I think with my version of the T5 a 4.10 will feel like 3.73

[fast Ed]

The 2-3-4 ratios are similar enough on that version of the T5 compared to the regular production version ... believe me, 4.10s on a road course with a pushrod Fox will not work well unless you have 7000+ rpm to play with.


cheers
Ed

[98 Snake]

I had 3.73 in my fox with a z spec trans and still felt like I was shifting more then I should have
If I was to do it again I would go 3.55

[stangstevers]

I did some more homework

Overall first gear ratio (x * y)

Z w/ 4.10 = 12.05
Z w/ 3.73 = 11.06
Z w/ 2.73 = 8.05 < Current

T5 w/ 4.10 = 13.73
T5 w/ 3.73 = 12.56
T5 w/ 3.55 = 11.89
T5 w/ 2.73 = 9.14 < Stock

First gear with 4.10's will be like between 3.55 and 3.73 in a T5... I had 3.73's in my 86GT, it was fun but I could have had more gear... Ideally I'd go with a 3.90 lol

[stangstevers]

I'd be 2500rpm @ 120kmh (5th) and 2000rpm for 100kmh in 5th... according to calculators online. But in 4th I'd be at 110mph at max RPM for my engine...

[bbriann]

With 26 inch tall tires 373s your will be happy with results. I have 28 inch tires and use 430 gears but probably put 410s back in this winter.

[hammerhead]

I have to agree with Ed - I'm partial to 3.55 for the street had them in a few and they worked well in all street conditions...3.73 for me if those are the only choices...

[ZR]

If wringing it out for everything it has is important on a somewhat reg basis, go 410. If it's more of a polite but spirited cruiser, hit up a set of 355s. Balance between the two = 373s.

[Mustang4]

I have 3.55 in my car and you are out of 1st gear very fast. Anything higher and 1st gear is next to useless.
Nice cruising gear and offers lot of power.

[stangstevers]

I'm still on the fence but leaning towards 4.10 just for the fudge factor... And it will motivate me to change the valvetrain and heads to spin it up past 5k... I have until Wednesday to decide lol

To be honest the difference between 1st gear (410 on a Z vs 373 on a T5) is 3.3% and 1.8% in 5th... But near 10% in the 2-4 gears...

[Cloud nine]

3.55 is a all around better choice in a 5 sp fox car.

[bbriann]

Best rpm calculator ever.
Able to select different transmissions etc.
http://www.americantorque.com/graph-rpm-vs-speed/

[True Blue]

I think 3.55s would be a perfect balance. I have 3.08s in my car, I think 3.73 or 4.10 would make 1st absolutely useless.

[Gabe]

3.73's all day every day

[newbiestangowner]

3.73's all day every day

3.73 here too
Missed you at track day!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[stangstevers]

welp... I guess I'm in the 3.73 camp now. I just feel like 1st gear will feel the same as a stock 3.08 gear ratio lol (actually it will feel closer to a 3.55).

Maybe I should buy a 3.90 gear and be done with it.

[Gabe]

3.73 here too
Missed you at track day!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Was very disappointed I missed it as well, attended the Steeda track day the week before and the car was all dialed in and running great.

[Quicksilver]

I had 3.73's in my first (99) Mustang. Dasilva put them in. Hardly any difference on the highway or in milage but the acceleration was much, much better.

[Ghost Rider]

4.30's Done!!


actually met a guy few years back with a Black Mach that had 4.56's in his car...crazy!

[stangstevers]

4.10's are in LOL

I can take off in 1st (or 2nd) without having to ride the clutch anymore. Also great to leave it in one gear and not have to downshift all the time.

But it's not as bad as I've read about and I'm sure I would have been disappointed with 3.73's (I don't have 500hp, if I did it would be a different story). Now I need to focus on this engine, new heads and cam are in order (once things settle a little bit, the hottub is costing me 10 grand this month... ouch).

[ZR]

Big power or not, it's about having the right gear for the engine n trans combo and what you like. Case in point, my own plus a good number of Cobras here have gone from factory 3:55 to 3:73. While it sounds so close a person would wonder why anyone would anyone bother but it makes all the difference in the world.
Enjoy yours.

[stangstevers]

yeah my combo with the 3k to 6k cam, Zspec T5 merited a "scary" gear.

Next season should be pretty fun. :)