3.73s and 3.55s, bear with me

[dstang01]

I know these threads suck, but please bear with me. Ive searched on here and sn95forums and other sites to get all the background information to make an informed decision, but I need one final push Id greatly appreciate some insight

I have a 1994 GT vert, I drive my stang mostly around town, but like to take it to the cabin frequently too which is an hour and a half away mostly highway speed driving. Overall, Id say my driving is 2/3 city 1/3 highway. Heres the dillema.. my goal for the car is a well mannered fun street car, and I dont want to detract from its appeal too much. My instinct is 3.73, but Im worried that it will make the car a pain in the ass to drive on the highway, and also make 1st gear too short. Then I read into 3.55s.. which people tend to like because apparently they let the car stay in its revving powerband a little longer, and are a nice all around gear. The thing is, these people have notchbacks.. whereas I have a heavy sn95 vert, so maybe Id be better with the 3.73 after all?

Its all up in the air right now, but Id like to settle down and get the gears in within the next couple weeks so I can enjoy them for the summer. If any of you have/had a stock engined 94-95 with 3.55s or 3.73s, please let me know how you liked them and how you didnt, and what you rev at 75 mph in 5th.

Also, how would I find out my stock ratio, whether its 2.73 or 3.08. I dont have the door jam tags.

 

[Venom351R]

I forgot the VIN to look for as far as what gears you have but I can tell you that since you have an auto go w/ 3.73's. Ive used both gears and you wont be losing first gear with 3.73's. Thats what I have in my car now and its a great all around gear. Other will tell you to step up to 4.10's since you have an auto but you dont seem to much into track duty so 3.73s would suit you well.

 

[DDSTANG94]

3:73 i hated 1st gear at first also but now im used to it

 

[dstang01]

I forgot the VIN to look for as far as what gears you have but I can tell you that since you have an auto go w/ 3.73's. Ive used both gears and you wont be losing first gear with 3.73's. Thats what I have in my car now and its a great all around gear. Other will tell you to step up to 4.10's since you have an auto but you dont seem to much into track duty so 3.73s would suit you well.

i have a 5 speed what made you think i had an auto

 

[Venom351R]

i have a 5 speed what made you think i had an auto

read it to quick thought you did for some reason. Either way Id still go w/ 3.73's

 

[inphiniti]

read it to quick thought you did for some reason. Either way Id still go w/ 3.73's

i have the auto with the freshly installed 4.10s

i think 3.73s would be perfect for you

 

[94-302-vert]

I have 3.73 and do 45 miles of highway a day, at ~80 mph.... some days I wish I had 4.10s, so since it is only some days the 3.73 are perfect...

Go 3.73, do not fear the gear.... These things can rev to 3k all day....

 

[Zero_chance]

The general consensus is usually 3.73 for 5 speeds and 4.10s for autos but everyone is different. Ive had my 373s in my trunk for the longest time. Having two jobs makes it nice and easy to afford all the parts but now I never have time to install them.. I have stock 2.73s so Im anticipating quite a big difference. If you view a lot of the other threads, a good majority of the people with 373s dont report much of a difference as far as MPG during the city driving. Like has been said, are cars are heavy, your vert even heavier, so that extra gear really helps to motivate them from a stop so I think if anything it would be a tiny bit better on gas in the city as you dont have to floor it to get the car moving. As far as 355s, I dont think theyll make that much of a difference, maybe a few hundred RPM. Id personally go with the 373s. My .02

 

[final5-0]

Let the facts speak for themselves

Ford Mustang: Mustang Tech: Calculators & Decoders: RPM Calculator

Honestly ..........
The difference between the two ratios is not even 1/4 of a turn

The too much rpm's on the highway with 373's thing has always
been W A Y over rated

The difference is usually not even 125 more rpm's with the steeper ratio

Just plug your specs in the program
and
Cut through all the hear-say and opinions

Grady

 

[Zero_chance]

Well said Grady. I was looking for the bookmark for that calculator but it was saved on my old laptop. My rpm at 65 now in the aode is about 1700 or so if I remember correctly. When I finish the t5 swap itll be 2216. I think I can live with the extra 500 RPM. Besides, with the O/R h and MAC catback, I like to have the revs up. Sounds nice. ALso to find your stock ratio look at the numbers on the diff cover tag.

 

[tstang21]

go with 3:73s. youll love it

 

[Black95GTS]

4.10s!

Between the two options I think you will like the 3.73 the best.

Adam

 

[95WhiteVenom]

3.55's!!!
I've had both this one is better for highway use.
3.73's are a noticeable difference espically on the highway.
I also manage to swing 23MPG on the last fill up.
I don't recall what it was for the 3.73's.

 

[Pokageek]

Experience talks. 3.73 vs 3.55 will make a noticeable hwy difference.... I've had em all now, lol. 3.08 (suck), 3.27, 3.55, .. 3.90.

 

[STM1965]

Im running 373's in my vert. Good for city, ok on highway, but then I never push it on highway anyways. At 63 to 65 MPH the car revs at or slightly above 2G, if I was after better mileage I'd drive my wifes civic!

 

[Black95GTS]

I don't see why people flip about high RPMs... unless you are running a 6 speed, a super lame ratio in your differential, or are driving a pick up truck you are going to be between 2000 and 2500 RPMs at normal highway speeds. The reason you can go 70mph and tack 1800 rpm is the same reason the car '60 foots like an old lady crossing the street.

Adam

 

[final5-0]

The reason you can go 70mph and tack 1800 rpm is the same reason the car '60 foots like an old lady crossing the street.

Adam

That is what I've always liked about Adam

He has a way of saying stuff that sums it up :Word:
AND
Makes a statement for that additional little Zinger of a bonus

Grady

 

[millhouse]

Honestly, I’m not sure how noticeable a difference there can be on the freeway between 3.55’s and 3.73’s. Unless you drive 2 cars back to back with both gear ratios….your likely not going to notice a difference between 3.55’s and 3.73’s. Consider this…at 65mph there is a 104rpm difference between the two, 112rpm @ 70mph and only 88rpm @ 55mph!

 

[dstang01]

Honestly, I’m not sure how noticeable a difference there can be on the freeway between 3.55’s and 3.73’s. Unless you drive 2 cars back to back with both gear ratios….your likely not going to notice a difference between 3.55’s and 3.73’s. Consider this…at 65mph there is a 104rpm difference between the two, 112rpm @ 70mph and only 88rpm @ 55mph!

who drives 55

but yes, the more I look into it the more I realize the two are not all that different. I already accept the fact they arent going to be as docile as my 3.08s, so I might as well just give 'er and go for the 3.73s. 4.10s would be a bit out of the ball park, but I can see why the general consensus stands.. 3.73 ftw

thanks for the help, and the very effective analogies (black95gts)

 

[millhouse]

who drives 55

but yes, the more I look into it the more I realize the two are not all that different. I already accept the fact they arent going to be as docile as my 3.08s, so I might as well just give 'er and go for the 3.73s. 4.10s would be a bit out of the ball park, but I can see why the general consensus stands.. 3.73 ftw

thanks for the help, and the very effective analogies (black95gts)

I know I can't (Drive....55).