iMustang

I am going to be getting gears as the first performance modification to my car. However, I am a bit conflicted on which gears I should get. I understand what they're used for and I understand how they work, my only qualm between the 3.73 and the 4.10s is this:

I am worried that 4.10s might eat up too much gas as my car is a daily driver. I don't mind buying gas, but to have to stop every other day will just be too much, you know? The difference between the two gears is significant, and I don't know what would be the best buy for my daily driver. This is why I am here.

Do the 4.10s consume too much gas?
What gears do you use?
Is anything larger than 4.10 just ridiculous for a daily driver?

(My apologies if this has been asked before or if this question is something you guys hear all of the time, but I'm just paranoid about being in a gas station every other day...)

zinc02gt281

The difference in gas between 3.73's and 4.10's is so insignificant you'll barely be able to tell. Even those who have changed from the stock 3.27's to 4.10's have only reported about a 1-2 mpg loss. Most everything over 4.10's are useless for daily driven Mustangs.

I personally have the stockers. I don't have the money for a gear set, bearing kit, install kit, and labor for the install... If I had a choice I'd choose 3.73's, I've felt them in an Auto GT and I loved the difference in giddy up. Plus with the 3.73's, you'll be able to trap higher if you plan on modding down the road because you'll still have 4th gear to use.

If you can afford to beef up your rear tires and don't plan on breaking 11's anytime soon get the 4.10's. If you want to keep the stock tire size and have a bit of room left in 4th gear for a quarter, get the 3.73's.

Just my opinion.

MJH78

I don't have the answer, but here's an answer: a lot of people will say 4.10's for an auto, 3.73s if you plan to supercharge later on. Some will say 4.10's have actually increased their MPG in city driving. highway no doubt you'll lose some on fuel mileage. I don't think it's substantial..2-3mpg maybe. One other consideration is traction. To me if you don't have some really good tires and maybe a little suspension work, 4.10's might be a bit much.

mustangman281

I have 4.10's in my built 04 and stock 3.27's in my wifes 01. I get better mileage in the city and we get the same mileage on the highway.

iMTB

4.10s or bust

jlg32281

Your biggest change in gas mileage will come with a driving style change. If you drive the car the same as you do now, the mileage change will be negligable. I say go as steep as you can afford if you're NA. 4.10 is the steepest you can go on a budget. Anything higher and you have to buy a speedcal. For a 4.30 or 4.56, you might have some fitment issues. I know with the 4.56 you have to have a special pin. I currently have stock 3.27's and hate it. In other vehicles, I've had up to a 4.88. Don't fear the gear, go as steep as you can if you're NA.

OzzDOA

Don't fear the gear! I actually picked up mileage in city driving with 4.10s.

GeritGoul

3.73 FTW...i only say that cause ive never been in anything higher..i may upgrade later on down the road considering ima stay N/A. ive read alot around here that if you plan on getting forced induction then you dont want to get anything higher than 3.73s...but as for my gas situation. im hittin it up every 3 maayyybbee 4 days, but thats only becuase work is a 60 mile round trip for me

orange1997GT

I had the same problem as you, deciding between 4.10s and 3.73s. My dad has 3.73s in his 02 GT and it feels sooo much better than my 3.27s. So I was gona go 3.73, then I decided I'm ditchin the npi GT after the winter and buying a 01 Cobra or 03/04 Mach(cause I cant afford a termi) . My next cars getin 3.73s with the 4V!

Soldier GT

IMO....

If auto get 4:10's. Manual daily driver 4.10's. Aspirated (S/C Nos) 3.73's. If staying N/A 4.10's. Like everyone has said you want see that much of a diff in gas mileage and you want be like me having to redo a mod (taking out 3.73's and going with 4.10's). You may ask why I installed 3.73's well the reason was I was thinking about going with Nos or maybe even a S/C. I've decided to staytN/A so will be installing the bigger gear. On the 2V every bit counts! Oh yeah selling the 3.73's. Installed about 5 mths ago and they have about 4,000 miles. $100.00 shipped