what the hell do all these different gear numbers mean?
 

Im new to the mustang seen and i have no idea what gears i have (stock 5spd) or even what the hell all those numbers mean. Like what is 3.73 and why is there a decimal?

RE: what the hell do all these different gear numbers mean?
 

gear ratios is number of driveshaft revolutions, to the number of one tire roataion. with 3.73 gears, the driveshaft has to spin 3.73 times to spint the tires once. same for any gear ratio..... 3.08s are stock in 5 speed cars will AOD's ( sutomatics) have 2.73's [:'(]

RE: what the hell do all these different gear numbers mean?
 

now i know. thanks for the info.

so what is the ideal gear ratio for a street car. does it give you more power to have the drive shaft spin more times to turn the tire once, or less times to turn the tire once.

sounds like more times would give you more power...

RE: what the hell do all these different gear numbers mean?
 

higer ratio gives you more quickness. It allows the engine to rev faster with less lugging, kind of like accelerating in a lower transmission gear.

RE: what the hell do all these different gear numbers mean?
 

ok i get it now thanks

RE: what the hell do all these different gear numbers mean?
 

the actual number you are referring to is the gear ratio, which for a rear end gear set is the number of teeth on the ring gear divided by the number of teeth on the pinion gear. say the ring gear has 41 teeth and the pinion has 11 teeth, the ratio is then 3.727 or 3.73 rounded off.
just to confuse the issue further, higher numerical gear ratios are referred to as low gears, while lower numerical gear ratios are called high gears. low gears are better for acceleration and power. high gears are better for crusing and gas mileage.

RE: what the hell do all these different gear numbers mean?
 

a five speed had 2.73's with optional 3.08's. the only ratio available for the automatics was 3.27. just thought i'd let you know.

RE: what the hell do all these different gear numbers mean?
 

for what model years tho?? does that matter?

RE: what the hell do all these different gear numbers mean?
 

87-93 all gear options were the same.. As for the higher gears being better for gas mileage I know it seems logical, but it is not the truth.. With my 3.08's I got 210MILES At most to the tank, now with my 4.10's I get 270 miles to the tank, but that is all around town driving, which Is what I do..

It depends on your conditions and how you plan to drive the car, across country, or down the 1320..

RE: what the hell do all these different gear numbers mean?
 

you are incorrect about the 3.27 ratio for automatics, my '88 GT hatch had 2.73 gears stock from the factory and so did most automatics in Fox Mustangs although you could get a different ratio if you ordered it special.