2011 GT 5.0 Differential Ratio
06-13-2010, 04:31 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 15
2011 GT 5.0 Differential Ratio
I am ordering a 5.0 Premium Gt. This all black Mustang will have the Comfort & Anti-Theft Options, 6-speed manual transmission, no stripes, and spoiler delete.
I am undecided about the differential gear ratio. The stock gears are 3.31:1, and the options are 3.55:1 and 3.73:1. All are limited slip differentials.
I do a lot of highway driving. What ratio would you buy?
If the Ford Motor Company reads this post, please please offer Screaming Yellow again. The 2011 colors are way too conservative.
Bobby B
2006 Premium GT
4.6L Screaming Yellow
Steeda CAI
Bama Tune
I am undecided about the differential gear ratio. The stock gears are 3.31:1, and the options are 3.55:1 and 3.73:1. All are limited slip differentials.
I do a lot of highway driving. What ratio would you buy?
If the Ford Motor Company reads this post, please please offer Screaming Yellow again. The 2011 colors are way too conservative.
Bobby B
2006 Premium GT
4.6L Screaming Yellow
Steeda CAI
Bama Tune
06-13-2010, 07:34 PM
#5
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location:
Posts: 632
The man said he does a lot of highway driving, the 3.73's are for people who like to do lots of burnouts and rolling street races mainly.
The question the OP needs to answer is:
How important is optimal acceleration to you?
If you want optimal acceleration when rolling, get the 3.73's, but you'll het the worst gas mileage.
If you want the best gas mileage and don't care to go racing people, stick with the stock 3.31's
If however, you want the best 1/4 mile times get the 3.55's (they allow 1/4 mile runs in 4th where as the 3.73's require a shift to 5th on "fast tracks or on tracks when the DA's are low and cars will be running fast and you'll trap above 111 mph).
The 3.55's offer the best of both world when it comes to gas mileage, and on a rolling run from 40-120 mph the 3.73's aren't that much lower to make much of a difference anyway (maybe 1 CL at most and some say it might not even be that much).
I will be getting the 3.55's personally as I don't like the idea of having to shift into 5th in the 1/4 mile on a stock car, much less one that is lightly modded.
I could mod the 11 GT with 20-30 hp and still do the 1/4 in 4th with the 3.55's as 4th is good for about 117 mph, not 110-111 like 3.73's
Plus, if you are a 1/4 mile runner or a street racer from a dig, 3.73's mean more wheelspin at launch and at the 1-2 shift. 3.55's allow hard launches without as much wheelspin (spinning tires while looking cool = slower).
Add power to the car and the problem increases with 3.73's and requiring wider and stickier tires to control it.
So IMHO, if the 5.0 is powerful enough for you and you don't plan to race but would like better fuel economy, stick with the standard 3.31's
You want optimal rolling run acceleration because you don't do 1/4 mile races or race from a dig, and don't care about gas mileage, get th3 3.73's
Want the best of both with most ideal axle ratio for 1/4 mile runs get the 3.55's
The question the OP needs to answer is:
How important is optimal acceleration to you?
If you want optimal acceleration when rolling, get the 3.73's, but you'll het the worst gas mileage.
If you want the best gas mileage and don't care to go racing people, stick with the stock 3.31's
If however, you want the best 1/4 mile times get the 3.55's (they allow 1/4 mile runs in 4th where as the 3.73's require a shift to 5th on "fast tracks or on tracks when the DA's are low and cars will be running fast and you'll trap above 111 mph).
The 3.55's offer the best of both world when it comes to gas mileage, and on a rolling run from 40-120 mph the 3.73's aren't that much lower to make much of a difference anyway (maybe 1 CL at most and some say it might not even be that much).
I will be getting the 3.55's personally as I don't like the idea of having to shift into 5th in the 1/4 mile on a stock car, much less one that is lightly modded.
I could mod the 11 GT with 20-30 hp and still do the 1/4 in 4th with the 3.55's as 4th is good for about 117 mph, not 110-111 like 3.73's
Plus, if you are a 1/4 mile runner or a street racer from a dig, 3.73's mean more wheelspin at launch and at the 1-2 shift. 3.55's allow hard launches without as much wheelspin (spinning tires while looking cool = slower).
Add power to the car and the problem increases with 3.73's and requiring wider and stickier tires to control it.
So IMHO, if the 5.0 is powerful enough for you and you don't plan to race but would like better fuel economy, stick with the standard 3.31's
You want optimal rolling run acceleration because you don't do 1/4 mile races or race from a dig, and don't care about gas mileage, get th3 3.73's
Want the best of both with most ideal axle ratio for 1/4 mile runs get the 3.55's
06-13-2010, 09:22 PM
#7
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Nevada
Posts: 336
I've made two trips so far from Vegas to SoCal in the two weeks of having mine. That said, I'm good with the 3.31's for now. I cruise at approx 85mph on the open road, and the car is turning right around 2,300-2,400rpm. I may go with some 3.55's down the road, but most likely not for a while.
I haven't bothered with the mileage too much to comment, I just have a comfort level of cruise rpms under 2,500.
I haven't bothered with the mileage too much to comment, I just have a comfort level of cruise rpms under 2,500.
06-14-2010, 08:37 AM
#10
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Alberta
Posts: 148
Traction is only a matter of money.
This is my toy, I will spend the money.
1st gear is good to 31mph and second is good till 56 mph with the tire height I am running.
28.62 inches.
I know the warnings are well meant
This is my toy, I will spend the money.
1st gear is good to 31mph and second is good till 56 mph with the tire height I am running.
28.62 inches.
I know the warnings are well meant