Gear Questions

[FalconGuy016]

Hey everyone,

In another thread I asked what upgrade path I should follow, and I understood most well except for the gears. Now I can logically think it through, like what a new gear ratio would do for me, but I want to know what its like on the road. Also, when you say you switched to 3.73 gear(s), do you mean one gear or is that a label for all of them somehow? If just one, which one?

What exactly will the new gear ratio do when driving? Will it accelerate faster? How much so, if its explainable. Also, isnt there a disadvantage in this in torque? Or is it negligible?

And finally, what are some good brands for gears and places to order them.

My upgrade path looks something like this so far: Exhaust, a handling improvment of some kind, then gears, and then so on. Does that sound good to everyone?

Bonus Question!

Is the Mac straight shot (I think its called) worth it? They advertise quite a high rwhp boost (25) and I think StangNet tech article claims 17, but I dont remember exactly right now. Or am I just confusing something and totaly wrong?


Thanks a lot for any help!

 

[silvstreak00]

I can answer a few questions as far as the gears. When people talk about 3:55, 373 4:10's etc. that is actually in the rear end. I have 3:73 on my 00 GT and i am very happy. They dont add any hp or torque but they put you in your powerband (where most of your power is). For instance if you shift with the stock 3:27 gears you'll notice the revs fall out of the higher rpms and the motor has to gain all those rpm's back. You'll defn feel the difference when you get gears. Defn an important and worth it mod. I know most people have the frpp gears. Good luck with your decision

 

[silvstreak00]

also i would defn put the gears ahead of the exhaust and what not. You wont regret it. I think 3:73 are good all around gear. If your looking to supercharge go with 3:73 if your staying n/a most people go with the 4:10 both is a great improvement over stock! About the mac straight shot. It has brought a lot of questions. Yes it will prob give you a noticeable power increase but it will also lean your a/f ratio out which is obv not what you wanna do.

 

[silvstreak00]

also i would defn put the gears ahead of the exhaust and what not. You wont regret it. I think 3:73 are good all around gear. If your looking to supercharge go with 3:73 if your staying n/a most people go with the 4:10 both is a great improvement over stock! About the mac straight shot. It has brought a lot of questions. Yes it will prob give you a noticeable power increase but it will also lean your a/f ratio out which is obv not what you wanna do N/A that is.

 

[chrisbudl1]

I'll be the first to say it: DO THE GEARS!!!!!!!! With my 5 speed and 4:10's first gear goes by super fast, almost not even needed. So in the easiest way I can explain it, the pull I used to get in first, is now what I feel in second, and so on. Basicaly the 3:73 is a ratio, for everytime your driveshaft turns, your rear axle turns the ratio set by your gear selection. The higher the number, the faster your rpm's will rise, which inturn means you get to the power band faster, and stay in it easier, after shifting. From my experience, gas mileage can be a factor if you have a heavy foot, but I get around 225 miles out of 3/4 of a tank. which I don't think is bad considering what, and how I drive. I hope that helps. Get frpp gears, they seem to fit better. and stock is usually 3:08, or3:27, but you can get 3:55, 3:73,3:90,4:10,4:56, I'm sure it goes higher than that. Basically at 60 mph every step up you take equals 200 rpm. So running 80, I am right at 3000 rpm's in fifth gear. And as a side note, I love my suspension setup, although all said and done it did get pricey. Good luck, get 4:10's unless you drive only on the highway, or are going to supercharge in the future. Chris

 

[chrisbudl1]

And a lot of the hp gains claimed by companies, are probably on built motors, and or supercharged applications. Not that every little thing doesn't help at some point!! so they claim 20 hp, expect more like 5

 

[FalconGuy016]

Thanks , that clears up a lot everyone

How difficult is it to install a new gear?