• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Gear Ratio Question (1997 GT 5spd)

  • Thread starter Thread starter jmk97GT
  • Start date Start date Nov 11, 2004

jmk97GT

Member
Oct 29, 2004
178
0
16
Nov 11, 2004
#1
  • Nov 11, 2004
  • #1
Ok, I checked the tag on the door jam and under axle it clearly says "BM", but when I look in my service manual, the only thing closest to it clearly reads "8M".

Can anyone help me with this issue? Is it a simple typo and I have 2.73 gears or is there really a "BM" axle code?

Also, I have to say that comparing the speeds of my car and my friend's car (1994 5.0 5spd), it seems that my car has higher rpms at different speeds than his car (I have about 2000 rpms at 25mph whereas hes at about 1500)

I also dont know if the previous owner could have put new gears in.

Can anyone either tell me what BM means or match up their own rear end with mine (if theirs is about 2000rpms at 25mph?)

Thanks for any help.
 

CanadaStang

New Member
Sep 7, 2003
2,093
1
0
Mb
Nov 12, 2004
#2
  • Nov 12, 2004
  • #2
Try this http://www.allfordmustangs.com/Detailed/636.shtml
 

CanadaStang

New Member
Sep 7, 2003
2,093
1
0
Mb
Nov 12, 2004
#3
  • Nov 12, 2004
  • #3
Your VC label will list one of these codes under where it says AX, on the lower right hand corner of the label.
1997:
1=2.73
A=2.73
C=3.27
Are you sure you are looking at the right code?
If you check the tag on the rear axle, it will say the actual ratio as in: 2.73
If you're still not sure let me know what rpm you're turning at 60mph in 5th and I can tell you.
 

jmk97GT

Member
Oct 29, 2004
178
0
16
Nov 12, 2004
#4
  • Nov 12, 2004
  • #4
Alright thanks for the help, I'll let you know what my rpms are at 60 in 5th (I'm getting my tire seal fixed right now...)
 

CanadaStang

New Member
Sep 7, 2003
2,093
1
0
Mb
Nov 12, 2004
#5
  • Nov 12, 2004
  • #5
If you have the 2.73's your rpm's should be around 1450, depending on the tires your running, of course.
Did you just get your Stang? If so, congrats on the new wheels
 

jmk97GT

Member
Oct 29, 2004
178
0
16
Nov 12, 2004
#6
  • Nov 12, 2004
  • #6
I got the stang in june, it has 16 inch 245/50 tires on it.

Still waiting on that tire...I took it in previously but they didnt even fix the seal, it leaked worse . Hopefully I'll have it back tonight.

The only reason 2.73 doesnt seem right is that from memory I remember it being at around 2000rpms in 2nd gear, and when I punch in the 245/50 tire specs into the gear ratio calculator at Corral, it tells me 3.06.

I'll just check for that 1450 in 5th gear.

I wish it came with at least 3.08s, maybe 3.27s because 2.73 seems a bit whimpy, and upgrading to only 3.27 doesnt seem to be worth it. I dont want to go up to 3.73 because I dont want to go crazy...
 

CanadaStang

New Member
Sep 7, 2003
2,093
1
0
Mb
Nov 12, 2004
#7
  • Nov 12, 2004
  • #7
jmk97GT said:
I got the stang in june, it has 16 inch 245/50 tires on it.

Still waiting on that tire...I took it in previously but they didnt even fix the seal, it leaked worse . Hopefully I'll have it back tonight.

The only reason 2.73 doesnt seem right is that from memory I remember it being at around 2000rpms in 2nd gear, and when I punch in the 245/50 tire specs into the gear ratio calculator at Corral, it tells me 3.06.

I'll just check for that 1450 in 5th gear.

I wish it came with at least 3.08s, maybe 3.27s because 2.73 seems a bit whimpy, and upgrading to only 3.27 doesnt seem to be worth it. I dont want to go up to 3.73 because I dont want to go crazy...
Click to expand...
The gear ratio thing only works for speed/rpm in 5th [or O/D]
Hope you get the tire fixed soon, Don't ya just hate waiting around and then when you go back they havn't even started working on it yet
 

CanadaStang

New Member
Sep 7, 2003
2,093
1
0
Mb
Nov 12, 2004
#8
  • Nov 12, 2004
  • #8
The 2.73's are pretty nice if you do a lot of highway driving.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Mustang II 4 cyl gear hunting and possibly messed up vacuum system
  • oesterreicher
  • May 31, 2026
  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech
Replies
11
Views
271
1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech Jun 14, 2026
manicmechanic007
T
Newbie looking for some info on speedo gears
  • TDM389
  • Nov 15, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
240
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 16, 2025
TDM389
T
R
What's it Worth? 1997 Cobra, a ton of mods and restoration
  • riored97snake
  • Jun 18, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
2
Views
149
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 21, 2026
riored97snake
R
J
Reduced power in 1st and 2nd gear
  • jimted79
  • Feb 25, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
5
Views
309
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Feb 25, 2025
Noobz347
T
First Car, what should I do for power??
  • tunedV6
  • Apr 13, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
241
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 4, 2026
580HP*428Cj
5
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?