BamaDan

i've been doin alot of reading tonight on what y'all have said around here concerning axle gears, and i have yet to see anything real definative.
the S-197 comes with a 3.31 rearend gear ratio, and the only real options to upgrade are 3.73's and 4.10's, so far as i know.
i've read from old drag racers with new 4.0's, from people with and without gears, t-loks, on and on.
the 3.31's from the factory are mild, some would say weak, and seem to be directed toward economy and longevity.
the 3.73's are a moderate step upward, pulling a little harder, but still pretty easy on gas and transmissions and highway driving.
the 4.10's are about as good as it gets, made for race-type applications, and dont like to be pushed beyond 60-65mph.

thats the way i see it.
my question would be about the long-term life of the gears and the effect on the drivetrain, or maybe its too early to tell with these cars.
i'd like a confirmation on the 4.10's not doing well above 60-65mph and their overall effect on the drivetrain, if anyone has that experience.
another would be whether it really makes a difference on which gears you choose depending on whether the application is with an automatic or standard transmission.
hope my comments and questions benefit everyone(:
looking forward to answers and feedback.
thanks(:

Devil Wolf

youre still in the powerband with the 4.10s if i remember from my research. the only downside that im prepared to deal with is my engine turning 3000 rpms when i hit 80 on the expressway. i dont do that much expressway driving though, so im not too concerned on the increased wear and tear that i would be putting on my engine.

my install is getting pushed ahead a week and a half for my 4.10s (my shop does not have the parts; he had to order from a ford dealership and they havent shipped them yet), but i will let you know my thoughts when i finally get them on.

BamaDan

i spend a good four hours on the highway once every couple months, with shorter trips in between there. i usually try not to get over 55 or 60mph, mostly for gas mileage. sometimes when i'm on long trips, though, i'll crank up to 70 or 75 to speed the trip up a little.
i'm thinking 3.73's would be my best best.
i have heard people say that from 3.31 to 3.73 isnt a drastic enough change for the money, and i've heard people say that 3.73's were the best thing they've ever done.
i guess sometimes you just have to make an educated decision and live with what you get, good or bad.

fazm

when i was n/a i went 3.73s and wish i would have gone 4.10s

howarmat

hell i drive 80 with my RPMs at 2800ish on the interstate.my exhaust purrs nice and loud too! If you are concerned with MPG and drive on the freeway then stop now and dont get gears, it will take MPG away from highway milage.

BamaDan

fazm: did you wish that then, or because you're now running forced induction?

howarmat: i'm not only looking for mpg, but i dont wanna wreck it, either. like i said, i make 400mi. trips every few months with jogs in between, so i wouldnt be too thrilled about 15mpg and a 60,000mi. run for my drivetrain, but i am looking for a little more performance here and there while maintaining a little decency.
i dont get to the track real often, so i'm looking for a little fun and performance on the street and a little economy, too. maybe someday i'll be in a position to have a perf. car and a dd, but right now i cant.
if the 3.73's will give me a little kick without cutting too far into my mpg, then i'm ok with that.

howarmat

that would be your best option...as for being harder on the car.......you car is turning more RPMs to achieve speed, etc.....so you can see that it is "harder" on the car in some respects but its not taking 10,000 miles of the drivetrain or anything

jwilhelm

Go with the 4.10s. I've had these gears and a t-lok in my 07 5-speed now for a year and wouldn't trade them for the world. Doesn't bother me a bit doing 3K at 80 mph. The 5th gear overdrive is what really makes these gears tolerable on the car. If I had nothing more than a 4th 1 to 1 final drive gear, it would be a different story. The revs would be way to high for sane daily use. 3.73s would be a far better choice if that were the situation. If you have your gears setup right from the start you'll easily get a 100 K or more with these gears. Gotta change the gear oil regularly though. There's one main reason we put these gearsin the car to start with, FUN! Double tire burnouts and 30 foot long tire tracks. Make the 4.10 choice, you won't be sorry. Jack

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05nightrider

is your car a DD... since mines a DD i was thinking 3.73s... i put 15K miles on it a year at least... what would you suggest... i am going F/I soon tho

28HopUp

I have 4.10's in my 4.0L/5spd coupe:
[ul][*]On the highway, if I stay below 75mph, then I get about 25.5 - 26.5 mpg. With local driving, I get mid 18's mpg. In fact, I get better gas mileage than my wife's 4.0L/auto vert,which is stock except for a GT take-off muffler.[*]The coupe is my daily driver.[*]At the track, I use 28" dia 275/50R17 M&H Racemaster DR's, which changes my final gear ratio to a calculated 3.95:1. Later this season, I will be trying out a pair of 26" MT DR's (giving me a final ratio of 4.25:1) to see if that helps or hurts my ET.[*]The quickest Naturally Aspirated (NA) 4.0L is Boss244. He is CURRENTLY running 13.8's, and he has 4.10's on his auto.[*]I have no regrets with the 4.10's.[/ul]