DaRkHoRsE216

Okay, I know tihs question gets asked around here ALOT, and if my question is answered elsewhere on the forum please direct me to it. I will
be running a D1SC @ about 12-15 psi, with my setup below, hopefully making a little over 500rwhp. What would be better, keeping my stock gears or upgrading to the 3.73s? I have heard that the 3.73s increase bottom end tq and help 1/4 times, but suffer at the top end. I want good ETs and still be able to kick a$$ at the upper limit. Will not switching to a steeper gear hinder my ETs that much? Will switching to the steeper gear stop me from being able to smoke cars on the highway? How much higher will my setup w/ 3.73s rev at highway speed? Also 3.73s are as high as I am willing to go, I know 4.10s are killer and all, but, just not for me. Thanks guys.

MrChubs1

Okay, first of all any increase in gear ratio will increase the torque (or power) to your wheels. What you need to do is figure out what RPM you want the different events to happen at.

1/4 mile: What will your trap speed be? Set it to something just short of redline in 4th gear.
1/8th mile: Same thing here, but in 3rd gear (for streetability).
Cruise: Choose what MPH you'd like to cruise at in town and on the highway and make sure it's going to be good for you in 5th gear.

These aren't all going to line up. That's where you've just gotta compromise and figure out what you want most. Then and only then will the answer you seek be in hand, Danielson. [sm=icon_ladiesman.gif]

SINISTER

Gears do not increase your torque. Gears are a multiplier. The lower gear you go (higher numerically) the more you will multiply the torque you have. I'm N/A, so I went with 4.30's. You, with plans to run that much boost will not want a gear like that. How soon are you going to be getting the supercharger and all the other goodies? If it is going to be soon, I would hold off on getting any gears, to see what it is like with the stock gears. Then, after you have the setup running right and are used to it, make the determination of what gears you want. I would imagine that you may be happy with the stock gears or maybe some 3.55's with that much power. Definitely don't go higher than 3.73's.
Just my $0.02.

MrChubs1

...unless traction's not a problem. Then go for it!

DaRkHoRsE216

I will be installing the forged short block in the next week or two, D1SC just arrived two days ago. I think I will keep the stock gears for now, I read that this year came from the factory with 3.55s so maybe I won't be too bad off. Thanks guys, good advice!

MrChubs1

...to your wheels - like I said. It increases torque to the wheels.

SINISTER

The 03 GT's did not come with 3.55's from the factory. I have a 2003 as well and when I replaced my gears, the stockers were 3.27.

jmac72187

03 Mach Ones and Cobras came with 3.55 gears. All GT's from 99-04 came with 3.27's.

DaRkHoRsE216

Ok I stand corrected