Best Gear Ratio- '03 Cobra??

[admdavs]

Being a complete mechanical retard- can anyone help me with what the best gear ratio would be for my almost purchased '03 Cobra. I understand now that they sit at 3.55:1- (Though I really don't even know what that means ) I've been reading here that 3.73 is the way to go, but two questions: 1) What does 3.55:1 mean? and 2) Why is 3.73 better to have??
Thanks in Advance

 

[Jackie Chan]

for now you should stick with thte stock ratio. there are other mods that are easier to do to a cobra(pulley, chip, cai, midpipe)

 

[MPSnyper]

3.55:1 ~ 3.55 to 1

That means the drive shaft makes 3.55 rotations for ever 1 Full rotation of the rear axle..

Im cant really say what gears you should get cause i have never drove a 03 Cobra but going from 3.55 to 3.73, to me will be a waste.. 3.90:1 IMO would be the max with the power they make but like i said i have know idea about cobras gearing..

It also depend on what you want to do.. taller gear ie 3.73, 3.90, 4.10, and so on will get you to the redline quicker.. Wich is good for the strip.. If its only a daily driver.. to tall and your gas milage can be drop alittle.. and youll be shifting more often.

Hope that help alittle..
Matt

 

[340.29m/s]

If I am not mistaken, 3.55:1 means that for ever 3.55 turns of the driveshaft, your wheels will make one complete rotation.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.


edit: Looks like I was right, too bad I posted too late

 

['01 Steed]

3.55 is the best all-around ratio for that car. The trans is geared for it, and believe me, first gear is short enough already.

 

[JBVobra]

stockish power level, I'd say 4.10's. The first gear in the tranny is poor at 2.66, and the car needs help off the line, especially with the girth.

For comparison, an 01 Cobra would have a much more favorable overall ratio than an 03 Cobra:

01: 3.37 (1st tranny ratio) X 3.27 rear = 11.02
03: 2.66 (1st tranny ratio) X 3.55 rear = 9.44

with 4.10s on the 03:

2.66 X 4.10 = 10.91

Ya, ya, someone is most certainly going to counter that the 03 has such a different tourqe band, that it doesn't need that much gearing. Well, that might be true for street tires on a slippier track, but if you're even remotely considering drag radials and plan to stay in the stockish power level, a 4.10 equipped 03 would be a much more fun to drive IMO

 

[Beau]

[QUOTE='01 Steed]3.55 is the best all-around ratio for that car. The trans is geared for it, and believe me, first gear is short enough already.[/QUOTE]
exactly what he said.

 

[PDubs]

If you're a good driver, go for 4.10s. I have enough problems with the 3.55s and the tricky IRS.

 

[neoclasiccl]

The stock gearing is all you need. I have lots of trouble with traction even with drag radials. first and second and the IRS make for alot of practice and getting used to launching. I wouldnt even think of getting a different gear set but maybe with a solid axle

 

[DBMSTNG]

can't say i've ever driven an 03, but from what i know about it, i'd agree with neo.