Sorry about the dump question. 3.73 or 4.10
01-11-2012, 07:29 AM
#21
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Palm Beach to South Carolina
Posts: 1,567
I drove the 3.3s and the 3.7s and I went with the 3.7s when it came time to purchase - seems 3.5s aren't really something they keep around on lots. the 3.3s were a little sedated and the 3.7s were pretty aggressive, but they really woke the car up and got it into the powerband quickly.
I feel like 3.7 is a bit too aggressive though after owning it for a few weeks, and I think I would have been happier with the 3.5s.
4.1s .. man, 1st gear is probably next to non existent there : ). I'd try to find a local owner that has them so you can see if you'd like them first - best way to avoid buyers remorse! gears are really a drivers preference mod though.
I feel like 3.7 is a bit too aggressive though after owning it for a few weeks, and I think I would have been happier with the 3.5s.
4.1s .. man, 1st gear is probably next to non existent there : ). I'd try to find a local owner that has them so you can see if you'd like them first - best way to avoid buyers remorse! gears are really a drivers preference mod though.
Now on a 4.6 GT, I would go with 3.73s. Since my GT came with 3.55s, I felt that it would not be very noticeable to go to 3.73s. But if you are starting with 3.31s, then you will feel a nice difference.
01-13-2012, 07:06 AM
#24
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location:
Posts: 989
Just my 2 cents... I have a 2011 GT 6spd that came with brembo package and 3.73 gears. Before purchasing it last year I had read comments on the forum and they seemed to be mixed on the gears as these responses have been. I drove the car, it did not feel much different than my 2006 GT 5spd with 3.55s I think. After about a year of daily driving and 12k miles, I like them just fine. I think, as has been said, that the key is to drive if possible and see what you feel best with and your driving style. I drive very conservatively most of the time and skip shift a lot (1-3-5). Good luck.
Last edited by rogan01; 01-13-2012 at 07:09 AM.
01-13-2012, 09:13 AM
#25
When in doubt, use the KISS principles...aka keep it simple stupid!
DD with commute = 3.73
Weekend warrior = 4.10
Having said that, my ride is a DD and I still can't make up my mind
Best bet is to drive both. Go to a mustang rally and beg owners of both for a test drive.
DD with commute = 3.73
Weekend warrior = 4.10
Having said that, my ride is a DD and I still can't make up my mind
Best bet is to drive both. Go to a mustang rally and beg owners of both for a test drive.
01-13-2012, 11:47 AM
#27
Something to consider is not just the gear ratio you are slapping on the back, but also what transmission you have in the car. The reason: you need to know the gear ratios inside the tranny.
Reason: you want to know the total gear ratio. For off the line drag racing, especially off the line from a dead stop, you want to know your 1st gear.
The OP has a manual, which means he has a TR3650 Tremec gear box. The vast majority of the other posters here also have 2005-2010 GT's I am assuming most with the manual as well.
If any of you all have automatics, you have the 5R55, which has different gear ratios than the TR3650. I will explain why this is a significance.
To calculate the total gear ratio for that all-too-important off-the-line launch, you multiply your first gear ratio with the rear gear ratio of your choice. Lets do some calculations:
The TR3650 has a deep first gear: 3.38:1 I believe for all S197 TR2650 equipped Mustangs. (If there were changes to the TR3650 since 2005, someone correct me on what other possible 1st gear ratios could exist for this tranny)
Now some comparisons:
factory stock: 3.38:1 (1st gear) and 3.31:1 (rear gear)
3.38 * 3.31= ~11.19:1, good for DD
Doing the same procedure for the gears, 3.55:1, 3.73:1, & 4.10:1 rear gears
3.55:1 ==> 3.38 * 3.55= ~12.00:1, still good for DD, but better acceleration.
3.73:1 ==> 3.38 * 3.73= ~12.61:1, possibly OK for DD, but even better acceleration.
4.10:1 ==> 3.38 * 4.10= ~13.86:1, not too good for DD, but great for the drag strip.
Now, lets consider the automatics: the 5R55, which has a 1st gear ratio of 3.22:1.
3.31:1 ==> 3.22 * 3.31= ~10.66:1
3.55:1 ==> 3.22 * 3.55= ~11.43:1
3.73:1 ==> 3.22 * 3.73= ~12.01:1
4.10:1 ==> 3.22 * 4.10= ~13.20:1
Since the 5R55 has a shallower 1st gear of only 3.22:1 as compared to the TR3650's deeper 1st gear of 3.38:1, the automatics have more to gain with the 4.10 rear gears.
BUT the TR3650 has the advantage off the line because its total gear ratio is pushing towards 14.00:1
If you can live with shifting out of 1st gear almost immediately during DD given by your 4.10:1 rear gears, or simply starting off in 2nd gear in DD, and also dealing with reduced top end and worse fuel economy on the highway, then go with the 4.10:1 rear gear.
Or, if you only weekend race, and/or only bruise the streets on the weekends, the 4.10:1 gear is your weekend warrior as said above.
But if you DD your car and dont like starting off in 2nd and want good hwy fuel economy, going with a total gear ratio at 12.00:1 or less given by the 3.31:1 and 3.55:1 rear gears is the way to go.
Reason: you want to know the total gear ratio. For off the line drag racing, especially off the line from a dead stop, you want to know your 1st gear.
The OP has a manual, which means he has a TR3650 Tremec gear box. The vast majority of the other posters here also have 2005-2010 GT's I am assuming most with the manual as well.
If any of you all have automatics, you have the 5R55, which has different gear ratios than the TR3650. I will explain why this is a significance.
To calculate the total gear ratio for that all-too-important off-the-line launch, you multiply your first gear ratio with the rear gear ratio of your choice. Lets do some calculations:
The TR3650 has a deep first gear: 3.38:1 I believe for all S197 TR2650 equipped Mustangs. (If there were changes to the TR3650 since 2005, someone correct me on what other possible 1st gear ratios could exist for this tranny)
Now some comparisons:
factory stock: 3.38:1 (1st gear) and 3.31:1 (rear gear)
3.38 * 3.31= ~11.19:1, good for DD
Doing the same procedure for the gears, 3.55:1, 3.73:1, & 4.10:1 rear gears
3.55:1 ==> 3.38 * 3.55= ~12.00:1, still good for DD, but better acceleration.
3.73:1 ==> 3.38 * 3.73= ~12.61:1, possibly OK for DD, but even better acceleration.
4.10:1 ==> 3.38 * 4.10= ~13.86:1, not too good for DD, but great for the drag strip.
Now, lets consider the automatics: the 5R55, which has a 1st gear ratio of 3.22:1.
3.31:1 ==> 3.22 * 3.31= ~10.66:1
3.55:1 ==> 3.22 * 3.55= ~11.43:1
3.73:1 ==> 3.22 * 3.73= ~12.01:1
4.10:1 ==> 3.22 * 4.10= ~13.20:1
Since the 5R55 has a shallower 1st gear of only 3.22:1 as compared to the TR3650's deeper 1st gear of 3.38:1, the automatics have more to gain with the 4.10 rear gears.
BUT the TR3650 has the advantage off the line because its total gear ratio is pushing towards 14.00:1
If you can live with shifting out of 1st gear almost immediately during DD given by your 4.10:1 rear gears, or simply starting off in 2nd gear in DD, and also dealing with reduced top end and worse fuel economy on the highway, then go with the 4.10:1 rear gear.
Or, if you only weekend race, and/or only bruise the streets on the weekends, the 4.10:1 gear is your weekend warrior as said above.
But if you DD your car and dont like starting off in 2nd and want good hwy fuel economy, going with a total gear ratio at 12.00:1 or less given by the 3.31:1 and 3.55:1 rear gears is the way to go.
01-13-2012, 05:01 PM
#28
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: MHS,MI
Posts: 916
Something to consider is not just the gear ratio you are slapping on the back, but also what transmission you have in the car. The reason: you need to know the gear ratios inside the tranny.
Reason: you want to know the total gear ratio. For off the line drag racing, especially off the line from a dead stop, you want to know your 1st gear.
The OP has a manual, which means he has a TR3650 Tremec gear box. The vast majority of the other posters here also have 2005-2010 GT's I am assuming most with the manual as well.
If any of you all have automatics, you have the 5R55, which has different gear ratios than the TR3650. I will explain why this is a significance.
To calculate the total gear ratio for that all-too-important off-the-line launch, you multiply your first gear ratio with the rear gear ratio of your choice. Lets do some calculations:
The TR3650 has a deep first gear: 3.38:1 I believe for all S197 TR2650 equipped Mustangs. (If there were changes to the TR3650 since 2005, someone correct me on what other possible 1st gear ratios could exist for this tranny)
Now some comparisons:
factory stock: 3.38:1 (1st gear) and 3.31:1 (rear gear)
3.38 * 3.31= ~11.19:1, good for DD
Doing the same procedure for the gears, 3.55:1, 3.73:1, & 4.10:1 rear gears
3.55:1 ==> 3.38 * 3.55= ~12.00:1, still good for DD, but better acceleration.
3.73:1 ==> 3.38 * 3.73= ~12.61:1, possibly OK for DD, but even better acceleration.
4.10:1 ==> 3.38 * 4.10= ~13.86:1, not too good for DD, but great for the drag strip.
Now, lets consider the automatics: the 5R55, which has a 1st gear ratio of 3.22:1.
3.31:1 ==> 3.22 * 3.31= ~10.66:1
3.55:1 ==> 3.22 * 3.55= ~11.43:1
3.73:1 ==> 3.22 * 3.73= ~12.01:1
4.10:1 ==> 3.22 * 4.10= ~13.20:1
Since the 5R55 has a shallower 1st gear of only 3.22:1 as compared to the TR3650's deeper 1st gear of 3.38:1, the automatics have more to gain with the 4.10 rear gears.
BUT the TR3650 has the advantage off the line because its total gear ratio is pushing towards 14.00:1
If you can live with shifting out of 1st gear almost immediately during DD given by your 4.10:1 rear gears, or simply starting off in 2nd gear in DD, and also dealing with reduced top end and worse fuel economy on the highway, then go with the 4.10:1 rear gear.
Or, if you only weekend race, and/or only bruise the streets on the weekends, the 4.10:1 gear is your weekend warrior as said above.
But if you DD your car and dont like starting off in 2nd and want good hwy fuel economy, going with a total gear ratio at 12.00:1 or less given by the 3.31:1 and 3.55:1 rear gears is the way to go.
Reason: you want to know the total gear ratio. For off the line drag racing, especially off the line from a dead stop, you want to know your 1st gear.
The OP has a manual, which means he has a TR3650 Tremec gear box. The vast majority of the other posters here also have 2005-2010 GT's I am assuming most with the manual as well.
If any of you all have automatics, you have the 5R55, which has different gear ratios than the TR3650. I will explain why this is a significance.
To calculate the total gear ratio for that all-too-important off-the-line launch, you multiply your first gear ratio with the rear gear ratio of your choice. Lets do some calculations:
The TR3650 has a deep first gear: 3.38:1 I believe for all S197 TR2650 equipped Mustangs. (If there were changes to the TR3650 since 2005, someone correct me on what other possible 1st gear ratios could exist for this tranny)
Now some comparisons:
factory stock: 3.38:1 (1st gear) and 3.31:1 (rear gear)
3.38 * 3.31= ~11.19:1, good for DD
Doing the same procedure for the gears, 3.55:1, 3.73:1, & 4.10:1 rear gears
3.55:1 ==> 3.38 * 3.55= ~12.00:1, still good for DD, but better acceleration.
3.73:1 ==> 3.38 * 3.73= ~12.61:1, possibly OK for DD, but even better acceleration.
4.10:1 ==> 3.38 * 4.10= ~13.86:1, not too good for DD, but great for the drag strip.
Now, lets consider the automatics: the 5R55, which has a 1st gear ratio of 3.22:1.
3.31:1 ==> 3.22 * 3.31= ~10.66:1
3.55:1 ==> 3.22 * 3.55= ~11.43:1
3.73:1 ==> 3.22 * 3.73= ~12.01:1
4.10:1 ==> 3.22 * 4.10= ~13.20:1
Since the 5R55 has a shallower 1st gear of only 3.22:1 as compared to the TR3650's deeper 1st gear of 3.38:1, the automatics have more to gain with the 4.10 rear gears.
BUT the TR3650 has the advantage off the line because its total gear ratio is pushing towards 14.00:1
If you can live with shifting out of 1st gear almost immediately during DD given by your 4.10:1 rear gears, or simply starting off in 2nd gear in DD, and also dealing with reduced top end and worse fuel economy on the highway, then go with the 4.10:1 rear gear.
Or, if you only weekend race, and/or only bruise the streets on the weekends, the 4.10:1 gear is your weekend warrior as said above.
But if you DD your car and dont like starting off in 2nd and want good hwy fuel economy, going with a total gear ratio at 12.00:1 or less given by the 3.31:1 and 3.55:1 rear gears is the way to go.
Great info, thx alot.
In fact, that is my DD, but my work place is 3 miles away from home. Don't really put it on highway that much. And with current 3.31s on, I hardly launch with 1st gear on the road. Tough choise. lol..
01-13-2012, 05:25 PM
#29
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: california
Posts: 200
If you asked me I would say it's an easy choice if you want all around drive ability and better launch you want 3.73. Find somebody with 4.10s and then have them let you drive in some bumper to bumper traffic.
01-15-2012, 08:49 AM
#30
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: state of confusion
Posts: 7,635
I think you need to compare at least 2nd and 3rd gears. In 1st you're usually going to get torque multiplication from the torque converter, which means that generally you don't need quite as much gear with an automatic to get moving.
2nd and 3rd in the 5R55S are shorter (numerically higher) than 2nd and 3rd in the TR3650 - and the gearing difference in those gears (that you'll be using nearly all of the time) as far as acceleration is concerned is about 15% in favor of the automatic.
TR3650
3.38
2.00
1.32
1.00
0.68
5R55S
3.22
2.29
1.54
1.00
0.71
Norm
2nd and 3rd in the 5R55S are shorter (numerically higher) than 2nd and 3rd in the TR3650 - and the gearing difference in those gears (that you'll be using nearly all of the time) as far as acceleration is concerned is about 15% in favor of the automatic.
TR3650
3.38
2.00
1.32
1.00
0.68
5R55S
3.22
2.29
1.54
1.00
0.71
Norm
Last edited by Norm Peterson; 01-15-2012 at 09:00 AM.