im sorry i kno this question has probably been asked a 100 different times but i cant get the search to work. anyway im planning on switching my rear gears and i have a 98 gt auto. i kno a lot of people say 410s for auto and 373 for manual. i was wondering which would be better. i live in a small town and have to drive 16 miles roundtrip just to get to civilization. i normally drive it at least every other day. so would 410 be to hard on the engine and gas? thanks

 

Of course it's going to take away from gas. Your putting more power into acceleration so figure it out. More power into something your going to use mroe gas. The 410 is a higher gear ratio so it's going to use more gas than 373.

 

i kno it will be worse on gas but im more concerned about the engine getting to hot. which would you suggest for my situation?

 

You will be getting worse gas mileage...On average I get 23.5 MPG Highway with my 4.10 Auto.
You will be wanting 4.10s, and as long as you keep your foot out of the gas you'll be ok.

 

there seem to be two issues here.
1. acceleration. manual 1st gear sets usually have a 3.35:1 to a 2.95:1 ratio. so that makes a 4.10 rear gear a mighttoo low for some. your auto probalby has a longer 1st gear, so 4.10's would work better that in a manual. (so some feel)
2. MPG. mileage will be less with 4.10's at the same speed. BUT, there's always a but or a butt. 16 miles x 2.5 trips per week = 40 miles.that's less than 2 gallons a week to run to town to see her. drive slower and you will get about the same mileage, have much better acceleration,build up greater anticipation during the 5 minute longer drive and have a reason to take someone elses car on the long trips'cause your mileage sucks with those 4.10's you got

 

alright thanks guys im probably gonna go with 410s

 

if you drive around town all day w/ no freeway communtes your gas milege might not change at all with 4.10. Since 4.10 are a lower ratio, the engine will not have to work as hard to accelerate it, requiring less gas. once you get to higher speeds where you are running in 4th gear and you cant upsift anymore, you will be at a higher rpm for the same speed vs 3.27, therefore youll burn more gas at those speeds.