feel of the 3.55's versus the 3.31's
06-28-2011, 10:51 PM
#1
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feel of the 3.55's versus the 3.31's
Yep, another gear question. Curious to know if anyone has any experience with the in-the-seat feel of the 3.55's versus the 3.31's. I have a 2.73, (MT) and have picked up a take-off 3.31, but its still sitting in the garage, and am contemplating going one step further to the 3.55. I've poured over the numbers on RPM ranges for each gear so I'm well versed with that, but would be curious to hear of anyone's experience with the actual feel.
06-29-2011, 06:49 AM
#2
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I can't say how they feel but after wrx posted some info on different gear sets I would either go with 3.31s of you want to stay stock for warranty issues or just skip the 3.55s and go with 3.73s. I thought the 1-2 shift would be too quick but you only lose 4-5mph off the top and would redline at 37mph.
06-29-2011, 10:04 AM
#3
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I can't say how they feel but after wrx posted some info on different gear sets I would either go with 3.31s of you want to stay stock for warranty issues or just skip the 3.55s and go with 3.73s. I thought the 1-2 shift would be too quick but you only lose 4-5mph off the top and would redline at 37mph.
06-29-2011, 02:30 PM
#4
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Well, if you still have stock 17s, then you could go to 3.31s and eventually go to shorter tires which would effectively increase your gearing as well. The 215/65-17s are 28" tall and my 225/60-17s are 27.6" tall. Part of the reason the performance package did so well in magazine tests is partly because of the 3.31 gears and the 27" tall 255/40-19s tires. I think that effectively increases gearing to ~3.43 or so when compared to 215/65-17. If you want 27" tall 18s, you can go to 255/45-18s. I'm not sure which 17" size you could go to.
06-29-2011, 02:37 PM
#5
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Well, if you still have stock 17s, then you could go to 3.31s and eventually go to shorter tires which would effectively increase your gearing as well. The 215/65-17s are 28" tall and my 225/60-17s are 27.6" tall. Part of the reason the performance package did so well in magazine tests is partly because of the 3.31 gears and the 27" tall 255/40-19s tires. I think that effectively increases gearing to ~3.43 or so when compared to 215/65-17. If you want 27" tall 18s, you can go to 255/45-18s. I'm not sure which 17" size you could go to.
06-29-2011, 02:55 PM
#6
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Engine noise on the hwy was one of the biggest reasons I upgraded to 3.31s (I drive 70% hwy miles). When I had the 2.73s, cruising in 6th at 80 mph was at around 1900-2000 rpms. The car was very quiet on the flats, but had a noticeable drone under load (uphill climbs) with my Bassani axle-backs. Now with 3.31s I'm at 2400 rpms at 80 mph (6th), the engine now has a low hum but is still acceptable, and the resonance under load of my Bassani's seems somewhat reduced. I feel this is the gearing the car should have come with stock. The 3.73 gears will cruise at about 2800 rpms in 6th at 80 mph (assuming stock tires). I can understand the want for higher gearing, I'm just not sure I would like the extra engine noise at cruising speeds. My guess is you'll be happy whichever you choose, 2.73s are just too tall. Good luck.
Last edited by Joenpb; 06-29-2011 at 02:57 PM.
07-03-2011, 10:41 AM
#7
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My car is an auto trans car and I switched from 2.73s to 3.55s, everything else on the car was stock at the time. As far as the feel of the car, it felt slightly faster but did drop the 0 to 60 times by two tenths which is definatly worth the cost. If I'd had 3.31s I don't think I would have changed gears but as it is I wish I'd have gone with 3.73s.
07-13-2011, 11:21 PM
#8
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For cryin' out loud, I'm still waffling on this. I'm attracted to the notion of it being able to climb through each gear better, while trying to determine if it is still a good balance for me as far as daily driving goes. Its gonne be one of the two; the 3.31, or the 3.55. Just have to make up the mind.
07-14-2011, 03:56 PM
#9
remember that the 3.55 will have a great deal more stirring of the gears around town, vs the 2.73. I don't mean redline. I mean shift points coming ridiculously soon. You may not notice in an auto, but it will be a work out with a stick.
I ordered a take off set of 3.31 gears from Shelby America for $25 this week. They list a 3.55 for $35 but its out of stock. Pretty low cost for the gamble.
I ordered a take off set of 3.31 gears from Shelby America for $25 this week. They list a 3.55 for $35 but its out of stock. Pretty low cost for the gamble.
07-14-2011, 09:07 PM
#10
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remember that the 3.55 will have a great deal more stirring of the gears around town, vs the 2.73. I don't mean redline. I mean shift points coming ridiculously soon. You may not notice in an auto, but it will be a work out with a stick.
I ordered a take off set of 3.31 gears from Shelby America for $25 this week. They list a 3.55 for $35 but its out of stock. Pretty low cost for the gamble.
I ordered a take off set of 3.31 gears from Shelby America for $25 this week. They list a 3.55 for $35 but its out of stock. Pretty low cost for the gamble.
