3.55 or 3.73 gears?

kowalczyk86 · Jan 19, 2011

Everyday driver - stick

Which gears would you go with and why? I want to replace the stock 2.73 gears so I can get some more acceleration.

Stever89 · Jan 19, 2011

I'm in the same boat, 2.73 gears and wanting to change them.

I've decided to go with 3.55s because a lot of my daily driving will be highway driving, not much stop and go stuff. I'd love to have 3.73s, but gas mileage would kill me at 70-80 mph.

kowalczyk86 · Jan 19, 2011

What are the big differences? A lot of my driving is stop and go but some highway.

kowalczyk86 · Jan 19, 2011

Either way, it will be better than stock..

NIKwoaC · Jan 19, 2011

There is a 5% difference between the two. We're talking a difference in barely more than 100RPM at cruising speed.

Too many people over think this and beat themselves up on it. If you get the 3.55s, you'll always wonder how much faster you could have been with 3.73s. 3.73s aren't going to ruin your gas mileage or cruising RPM compared to 3.55s.

Onefine88 · Jan 19, 2011

I have both and like both. My '88 vert is basically stock with bolt ons. It makes around 239rwhp.
I have 3.73s on that less powered car and love them. The car felt like it picked up 100 horses when I made the swap from the 2.73's. Its really quick.

My SSC has 3.55s and is supercharged. It makes a little over 440rwhp. It don't take long to rip through the gears and tire spin can be an issue.
I feel that the 3.73's might create more work for me getting the power to the ground.

Both my cars are street cars and don't see the drag strip. Both gears are still acceptable for the hwy but I prefer the 3.55's. It seems to be a nice gear for overall driving.

Good Luck

skunk21 · Jan 19, 2011

3.27's

Mustang5L5 · Jan 19, 2011

3.31s

I have 3.73s and hate them. Each gear passes by too quick and I'm thru the power band too quickly and lost all my highway top end.

Debating 3.55s or s197 3.31 gears

oldfox · Jan 19, 2011

I had a set of 3:73 and went to 3:55 the 5.0 has enough low end torque
That it didn't feel like I lost anypower on the lower end.
But on the expressway it feels better.

kowalczyk86 · Jan 19, 2011

Very interesting... I am leaning towards 3.55's..

Chrome_Rust · Jan 19, 2011

have 3.55's want something taller. First is all but worthless and second is also. Last summer had a 275 on the rear and whould blow them away until mid 3rd gear.

Looking at the 3.31's also.

cammed89lx · Jan 19, 2011

373's are an all around solid gear for all mustang owners whether its a 4.6 or 5.0. street or strip. Theyre are good on the highway. no complaints

skunk21 · Jan 20, 2011

I love my 3:73's and with my stock T5 the gears felt short but I liked the pull, when the tranny lunched and I got my astro T5 with the taller T5z gear set ( going from a 3.35 1st to the 2.95 and a .63 5th vs the old .68) I like it much better now and probally would have hated it with 3:55's, feel like I would have lost some with 3:55's and the T5Z gears.

Mustang5L5 · Jan 20, 2011

I'm gonna try out a 2.95 t-5 first before deciding what to do with my 3.73s. My biggest complaint is first gear and overdrive, so the slight change in tranny gearing might be enough for me.

Otherwise I'll go back to wanting 3.55 or 3.31s

No.11 · Jan 20, 2011

I have 4.10s in my car if anyone wants to swap. I could definitely go for some 3.73s

NIKwoaC · Jan 20, 2011

The one NICE thing about short gears and the short first gear thing is that it makes driving in parking lots and traffic jams MUCH easier. I remember with the original 2.73s in my car, it would start to buck at 11-12mph. Now I can creep the car without slipping the clutch down to 5-7mph.

I know that sounds silly, but when you're in a 10mph speed limit parking lot and you can't even do the speed limit without stalling your car or burning up the clutch, it's irritating as hell.

Mustang5L5 · Jan 20, 2011

Driving in traffic?? That's what daily drivers with automatic transmissions are for!

Just kidding...i agree 100% with the low speed capability

skunk21 · Jan 20, 2011

Mustang5L5 said:
I'm gonna try out a 2.95 t-5 first before deciding what to do with my 3.73s. My biggest complaint is first gear and overdrive, so the slight change in tranny gearing might be enough for me.

Otherwise I'll go back to wanting 3.55 or 3.31s

It makes a difference. I don't remember the rpms of the top of my head but the change was noticeable. heck when my car is finally done you are more than welcome to drive it.

Onefine88 · Jan 20, 2011

NikwoaC said:
The one NICE thing about short gears and the short first gear thing is that it makes driving in parking lots and traffic jams MUCH easier. I remember with the original 2.73s in my car, it would start to buck at 11-12mph. Now I can creep the car without slipping the clutch down to 5-7mph.

I know that sounds silly, but when you're in a 10mph speed limit parking lot and you can't even do the speed limit without stalling your car or burning up the clutch, it's irritating as hell.

Funny, This nearly caused a divorce between my wife and I. Waaay back in '88 when we bought our new GT vert, it was my wifes daily driver. I had to have my truck for my work. She hated the tall gear and clutch in traffic and in rain. She would bog it out or spin the tires. We had some knock out drag outs over that car.

Long story short: We still have the '88 and we're still married. LOL

NIKwoaC · Jan 20, 2011

Mustang5L5 said:
Driving in traffic?? That's what daily drivers with automatic transmissions are for!

Just kidding...i agree 100% with the low speed capability

Haha, yea, I drive my Fox EVERY sunny day that there isn't snow or ice on the ground. Fancy new cars are nice (I love my Fusion), but I would drive my Fox every day of the year if I wasn't so worried about keeping it in good condition... And if it had a working heater, haha.

89SSC18 said:
Funny, This nearly caused a divorce between my wife and I. Waaay back in '88 when we bought our new GT vert, it was my wifes daily driver. I had to have my truck for my work. She hated the tall gear and clutch in traffic and in rain. She would bog it out or spin the tires. We had some knock out drag outs over that car.

Long story short: We still have the '88 and we're still married. LOL

Haha, nice. Yep, the stock gearing is retarded. 80mph in 2nd is completely useless.

3.55 or 3.73 gears?

kowalczyk86

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3.55 or 3.73 gears?

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