I would not run more than about 3.20 gears with a non OD transmission.

 

whys that? based on his freeway requirements do you really think the 300 RPM difference at 70 is in his best interest??

-Gun

 

That is the conclusion I think I am coming to as well.

I already regret some days that I built the 302 w/ mild cam. Same guy who built the 302 could have built me a 331 stroker for around $800 or so more and some days I wish I would have gone that route. I already get crap for gas mileage anyway but I don't drive the Mustang much so I don't really care.

I just cruise locally in it, go to a weekly car club cruise in, etc, etc.

 

Now that I have a T5 my 4.11 gears are a joy to drive.
I think 3.55 seems to be the best compromise with a 4 speed or non overdrive auto, but 3.80 would be nice too.

 

I run 3.80s behind my t5 as well but I certainly wouldn't recommend them to someone with a c4 / non-od...thats where I draw the line

-Gun

 

It just works the engine too much on the highway. He could go with 3.50, but I would defnitely not go more than that.

I have 3.50 gears with a T5 and I think this setup is great. Sometimes, I would like to have a little bit more gearing like maybe 3.70-3.80. This is all with overdrive though.

 

when you say "it works the engine too much on the highway" do you mean from the point of wearing the engine out or drinking the fuel?

SJs 66Coupe does next to no highway. No doubt there is a fuel consumption compromise to be had here but for someone who wants the thing to respond more the the loud pedal, then as Gun said 3.2 wont reward the effort. I took mine from 3.0 to 3.55 and love it. I do a mix of hwy and country roads with <10% city.

if fuel consumption is a concern then, sure, go a o/d box, run limited mods to your engine or buy a Honda. If you want performance from a mustang then be prepared to drop your shorts at the gas station

 

I just think that if it were my car, I would not go more than 3.20s. The 3.50 gears will be fine, but I would not go any more than that.

Yes I think that the higher RPMs will drink more fuel and wear the engine out faster as well.

 

Right you are.

But at the end of its run will the OP really be sitting there saying damn if I had 3.20s I could have avoided rebuilding this engine for another 8 months?

And 3300 rpm for 4 miles for 3 minutes and 10 seconds once a week isnt over taxing or over revving the engine by any stretch of the imagination.

And Im not sure if there any truth to this but these V8s just seem to run a lot nicer at 2600 to 3000 rpm than they do at 2000 to 2500 RPM. But Im betting that in many cases they do.

-Gun

 

i have a 70 torino with a more than warmed over 351C. I run 3.50 w/27" or so tires. I run about 3000 at 70 mph (given possible error w/speedo) and I will have to admit I do worry about it when I drive it on the highway, but will also admit that it runs a hell of a lot stronger at 3000 on up.

unfortunatley, when I do highway driving it is for about an hour and a half at a time. then again, i do not drive them much nor do i always do highway when i do drive them.