3.55 Gears VS. Stock in a 2012 GT
#1
3.55 Gears VS. Stock in a 2012 GT
This is my first post to the forum. I also plan on making my FIRST Mustang purchase in the next few days. I am looking at buying a 2012 Mustang GT premium 5.0 with the Brembo package and 3.55 gears. Ideally, I'd probably have stuck with the stock gears if I had a choice, but as the 2012s become more scarce I have limited choices with the options I'm looking for. In fact, my salesman had to bring this car trailered in from Minnesota. (I live in Michigan).
I was hoping to hear from some people who may have the 3.55 gears in a 2011-12 GT and how it's worked for them. Or just to hear what difference I will see as compared to stock gears that come in this model. I plan on using this car as a daily driver when the weather is good. I'll be making frequent 2 hour trips on the freeway and will also most likely be racing some cars for fun here and there. I don't care much about MPG as my minivan presently gets like 19mpg on freeway--so I think any new Mustang will get better =) Again, compared to stock what differences will I see in acceleration? Top End? Thank you in advance!
I was hoping to hear from some people who may have the 3.55 gears in a 2011-12 GT and how it's worked for them. Or just to hear what difference I will see as compared to stock gears that come in this model. I plan on using this car as a daily driver when the weather is good. I'll be making frequent 2 hour trips on the freeway and will also most likely be racing some cars for fun here and there. I don't care much about MPG as my minivan presently gets like 19mpg on freeway--so I think any new Mustang will get better =) Again, compared to stock what differences will I see in acceleration? Top End? Thank you in advance!
#2
you're going to experience more torque down low, and you're going to be shifting a little faster/more often.
you'll enjoy them. I have the 3.73s, the 3.3s were just too tame and they felt slow / were slow to get into the powerband. 3.5s are a nice compromise between performance and efficiency.
you'll enjoy them. I have the 3.73s, the 3.3s were just too tame and they felt slow / were slow to get into the powerband. 3.5s are a nice compromise between performance and efficiency.
#3
Sounds good. The nice thing is I get to take it for a test drive too. I had the oppurtunity to test drive the stock 3.31s so now I can see if I can notice a difference.
I heard it was a good middle ground, but it's always nice to hear a bit more reassurance =)
I heard it was a good middle ground, but it's always nice to hear a bit more reassurance =)
#4
I agree. I have the 3.73 in mine. Drove one with the 3.31 and really didn't like the low end at all. I am sure your options are limited at this point. I had a whale of a time finding a base coupe with a 3.73 rear end. 3.31 makes sense in the boss due to its higher power band with the boss intake but in the gt going 3.55 or higher is the right move.
#5
I have 3.55 gears in my manual CS car. I had the 3.73 gears in a brembo GT a few months before, and they were badass. It was more rowing though in stop and go traffic. But at WOT, those gears ripped. Now with the 3.55 gears, its much better in the stop and go but I do notice they dont rip as hard WOT. They still do pull like a ****, but not as dramatic. I thought about getting them again in my CS, but I have been hearing that the 5.55 gears are the best to have for the 1/4 mile so you dont have to shift into 5th. Overall I love them, but I do wish they were more mean on the street. But they are the best of both worlds.
#6
#7
Jiggy one probably has the best response... but I just want to throw out there that 4.10s rock haha the stock 3.31 in the manual and 3.15 in the auto is weak/lame... although my MPGs on the highway did drop to 22... and since i have the auto i dont have to worry about how much i have to shift (frequently doing 0-40 i go through 4 gears in 3 secs)
#8
Jiggy one probably has the best response... but I just want to throw out there that 4.10s rock haha the stock 3.31 in the manual and 3.15 in the auto is weak/lame... although my MPGs on the highway did drop to 22... and since i have the auto i dont have to worry about how much i have to shift (frequently doing 0-40 i go through 4 gears in 3 secs)
#9
Yeah i posted about it in 2 threads just today.
I didn't notice much of a difference except for at high RPM, now i lose traction pretty bad once i go past 6000RPM in the first 3 gears.
I think the people who will get the most out of it are drag racers chasing the lowest ET (goal for me is 12.5 I'd be faster than most street cars at my track, if i were at sea level i'd be aiming for 11.5). Also I think you should either have an automatic or be an excellent driver if you have a manual. It's hard to shift perfectly at 7600RPM and many people with manuals haven't been able to pull it off well resulting in worse ETs.
It's good for around .2 in the 1/4 mile according to most sources with an automatic or a pro driver. You can find them for $350 from tousley ford so that is a pretty good mod for the cost for people like me. but it's not for everyone. Also my 4.10 gears help with getting me into the upper RPM range and keeping me there. Also a mod most manual owners wouldn't want because 1st-3rd gear are very short and 4th is pretty short too.
I didn't notice much of a difference except for at high RPM, now i lose traction pretty bad once i go past 6000RPM in the first 3 gears.
I think the people who will get the most out of it are drag racers chasing the lowest ET (goal for me is 12.5 I'd be faster than most street cars at my track, if i were at sea level i'd be aiming for 11.5). Also I think you should either have an automatic or be an excellent driver if you have a manual. It's hard to shift perfectly at 7600RPM and many people with manuals haven't been able to pull it off well resulting in worse ETs.
It's good for around .2 in the 1/4 mile according to most sources with an automatic or a pro driver. You can find them for $350 from tousley ford so that is a pretty good mod for the cost for people like me. but it's not for everyone. Also my 4.10 gears help with getting me into the upper RPM range and keeping me there. Also a mod most manual owners wouldn't want because 1st-3rd gear are very short and 4th is pretty short too.
Last edited by Mishri; 02-21-2012 at 05:20 PM.
#10
Wel it looks like my inability to choose what gears I get due to limited availability is a blessing in disguise. By the sounds of it, it seems I will be pretty happy with the 3.55s. It seems to be a nice compromise between the the sluggish stock gears and the more aggressive 3.73s.... thanks for the information everyone. If anyone else has the 3.55s I'd love to hear from you too.