Gear dilemma

[Deleted member 38176]

Ok so getting close to doing my next mod, which is going to be gears, and I've hit a crossroads in my decision-making. I've always been a "fan" of 4.10's and have always said that when the time comes for me to do gears, I would go no more and no less than 4.10's. Now that the time has come, Im wavering a bit on the ratio.

Something is drawing me to 4.30's. I know that the 2V's dont like to rev as much as perhaps a 4V would, but every 2V owner with 4.30's that I see has nothing but the best things to say about them and how fun they are. So, what are the pros/cons between 4.10's and 4.30's?

A few points....
1. This car will most likely never go FI
2. I do very little highway driving
3. I have a 4R70W auto

What does Stangnet say?

 

[d98gt]

I would go with a ford racing 4.10 gear/install kit.

 

[BurningRubber]

A buddy of mine had a 99 GT, auto, with 4.30's and eventually a 3800 stall. The car was stupid fun but downright impractical for the highway.

I'd probably just go with 4.10's. 4.30's will be more fun but if you do more than dragrace the car and do make some freeway travel 4.10's make a hell of a lot more sense.

 

[johnnyt03gt]

4:10's

 

[Stumbaugh]

I just picked up a set of 4.30's for mine as well. I plan on revving the car very high in the near future, so I figured i would go ahead and go for the 4.30's.

 

[bhuff30]

One consideration is your trap speed in the quarter mile. By my calculations, 6000rpm in 3rd with 4.30 gears puts you at 102mph... without any converter slip. What the rev limiter on a PI car, 6200? You won't be able to go very fast in the quarter without hitting the rev limiter. And shifting to 4th is a big no no.

Just something to consider. For all practical purposes, your 'runs' will be done by 100-105 mph.

 

[Flghtmstr1]

If you rarely drive on the highway, and don't plan on going FI, get the Ford Racing 4.10s. I had 3.73s with my automatic, and they were perfect for my application (lots of highway miles), but I would have gotten the 4.10s if it were just a toy. With the Tork Tech kit, the 3:73s were just about perfect, but traction in 1st (and some of 2nd) was lacking. When my current build is finished (5.3L stroker, ported PI heads, built trans), I'll probably have to swap back to the stock 3.27s.

 

[Deleted member 38176]

Yeah the more I think about it, 4.30's would really just be too much for a stock 2V. Im going to order some 4.10's

One consideration is your trap speed in the quarter mile. By my calculations, 6000rpm in 3rd with 4.30 gears puts you at 102mph... without any converter slip. What the rev limiter on a PI car, 6200? You won't be able to go very fast in the quarter without hitting the rev limiter. And shifting to 4th is a big no no.

Just something to consider. For all practical purposes, your 'runs' will be done by 100-105 mph.

Wow. This is regarding an automatic correct?

 

[Winters98GT]

Invest in some rubber while you are at it. Lighting up tires is cool for about 2 weeks, then you realize that you have actually slowed your car down on the street if you are spinning.

 

[crzyhrse99]

4.30's since you dont do much highway miles and have an auto.

 

[bhuff30]

Yup, you can calculate it yourself on those top speed calculator websites. When you calculate it, 3rd gear is 1:1 and your tires are ~25" tall. Find your rev limiter and you can calculate your top speed if you hold it in 3rd. I think the AOD locks the torque converter in 3rd, even at WOT, but if not you have to take out 200-300rpm for converter slip. And of course, WOT shifts to 4th aren't nice to the transmission and doesn't help your quarter mile time.

Wow. This is regarding an automatic correct?

 

[Mr. Rustypwnz]

4.30's

 

[ran260gt]

You guys saying 4.30s are ****ing killing me, please if you know nothing about the 4R70W you should keep out of this thread because you are all clueless !

Its been covered about a billion times 4.30s+stock4R70W+1/4mile= new/rebuild transmisson !

 

[Deleted member 38176]

Ok definitely going 4.10's. The last thing I need is a FUBAR'd tranny.

I appreciate it guys.