Gears...AGAIN???

[thomsonc]

Couple questions. I have a stock '01 GT. Wanna swap gears, but keep seeing 8.8, 8.0, 7.5...I wanna get 3.73 or 4.10 of course. What's with the whole 8.8 etc numbers? Which do I need?
Second questions. South Jersey (Atlantic City area). Does anyone know of any reputable shops that can take on my 'Stang project? Anyone is a Dyno would be best...thanks...

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Your rear end is an 8.8" rear end.

 

[reddrgn01gt]

8.8 is the size of the rear end that you have. I would get 4.10s if i was you.

Edit: You beat me to it.

 

[03ghoststang]

8.8 rear end and go with 4.10's dont fear the gear

 

[trailblazr81]

Go with 4.10's!! How many miles are on it?? Definatelly get a full install kit and may want to spend a llittle more $$$ to rebuild the limited slip.

 

[thomsonc]

I've only got around 40,000 miles on it. Unfortuneately, it's only a summer car. So it's my "project" for the next few years. I don't suppose any Full Install kits come with chips huh?

 

[hognutz]

full intall kits just come with all the bearings and seals. at 40k would not bother too much with install kits. the ring and pinino will come with shims, crush sleave, pininon nut.

I think I would just do the gears at 40k. maybe consider freshing up the track lok as it is only $50 for a rebuild it. throw a couple of extra clutches at it.

3.73's vs 4.10's

rules of thumb most people will give you is boosted 3.73, n/a 4.10.

I drive a ton of freeway and am going to boost so I went 3.73.

I bought a used diablo predator for $250 to deal with the gears unitll I buy my KB kit in april then I will sell it. there are a couple ways to skin that cat but I kind of like the ability to turn of my rear 02's disable the traction control, etc. I rationlized the expense by doing my own gear install. the money I saved will pay for the predator.

now make sure you factor in you goals for the next few years on this because stock rear has weeknesses. I did 31 spline axles, rear girdle, welded tubes, etc becasue I don't want my diff to be a week point once I boost it. I will need to consider transmission upgrade as well if I want to beat on th car.

 

[02BlkStang]

Just got my 4.10's in, and I can't imagine driving it with anything less now

2 hour drive back all freeway and I still love it, only taching ~2.5k @70.

 

[jasonh_86]

Definately go with a 4.10 if you can. But if you're doing a lot of highway driving, then you may wanna check on some 3.73's or 3.90's.

If you plan on getting a blower such as a twin screw (like the KB) then go with 3.73's, but if you go with a Centri then I wouldn't see much of a problem with 4.10's with some nice tires

 

[Mike97gt]

4.10's and if you buy ffrp gears they come with the pinion nut, crush sleeve and pinion shims. the motive gears i belive do not.

 

[thomsonc]

I will be going with the FRPP gears. I would love to go with the 4.10's, but in a couple years, will be adding a supercharger. Heard 3.73's are best with Kenne Bell...
I figure this summer, gears and chip. Summer '07 overhaul exhaust. Summer '08 supercharger. Summer '09...whatever else...stickies...intake if 'charger kit doesn't come with...
That's my plan. Don't wanna do anything with the body...rather have a sleeper 'stang for those cams, ta's, and embarrass those rice-burners....
Anything else I'm missing for some grande HP/Torque???

 

[exindust]

7.5" Rear ends come in the sixers

 

[hognutz]

I will be going with the FRPP gears. I would love to go with the 4.10's, but in a couple years, will be adding a supercharger. Heard 3.73's are best with Kenne Bell...
I figure this summer, gears and chip. Summer '07 overhaul exhaust. Summer '08 supercharger. Summer '09...whatever else...stickies...intake if 'charger kit doesn't come with...
That's my plan. Don't wanna do anything with the body...rather have a sleeper 'stang for those cams, ta's, and embarrass those rice-burners....
Anything else I'm missing for some grande HP/Torque???

well you are missing suspention mods. you will wan them eventually. LCA's, subframes, shocks, struts, are a must IMO. I did not like the stock springs either.


If serious about the KB I would domore than just gears. 31 spline axles, diff, rear girdle. I am doing this right now. KB is coming in april. If you ever want to lauch on sticky tires you proably should weld the tubes and torque boxes. if you stay on street tires you proalby won't get enough traction to worry about it.

 

[thomsonc]

are those parts necessary? Or would it just help? I don't plan on running on tracks...just the streets. I also don't wanna keep burnin' rubber if I go off the line...just wanna really embarrass the rice burners...

 

[trailblazr81]

Ya upgrade to some hardened 31 spline shafts and diff. You'll want traction, and with the power of a KB you can do some damage to a stock 8.8

 

[rebelleader]

I don't plan on running on tracks...just the streets. I also don't wanna keep burnin' rubber if I go off the line...just wanna really embarrass the rice burners...

Why not embarrass the 'rice burners' in a safe controlled manner at the track?

 

[hognutz]

are those parts necessary? Or would it just help? I don't plan on running on tracks...just the streets. I also don't wanna keep burnin' rubber if I go off the line...just wanna really embarrass the rice burners...

well there is a reason 03-04 cobras come with 31 spline diffs. If you only run on stock rubber you can get away with the 28spline stuff most likely but you should not be suprised if it fails either. if you ever get good traction they could break.

also lower control arms and subframes are a must on a stang no matter where it is driven IMO.

It is esay to take the if I break I will upgrade it aproach as well I guess.

 

[BlackenedSVT]

A lot of peopel on this forum just jump on the ban-wagon and just go all out and get the 4.10s. After having 4.10s in my 98GT (auto) and now having stock gears in my 02 GT and after doing a LOT of research and RPM calculators in comparison to my driving style, here is my recommendations:
(all below recomendations are for MANUAL cars, i personally wont recommend gears in autos, just my thing...with autos + gears your tranny will heat up fast on long trips. Might need a stall and recalibrate your Overdrive)

3.55s -- much better over stock, you really should ditch the stock gears ASAP and at least go with these, for a little extra kick. Great for highway.

3.73s -- If your car is supercharged, or will be in the near future. Also a good gear for constant highway driving/commuting, but still want some fun.

3.90s -- im biased on these personally i feel go 3.73s or go all out with the 4.10s, dont get this bastard "happy medium" gear But they might be somethign to consider if you are really torn between the 3.73s and 4.10s

4.10s -- great for the track and if you're a "light to light" racer Definately will feel an improvement on a manual car, but you'll find they rev kind of high when cruising on the highway. NOT recommended for supercharged/poweradded cars

4.30s -- Great gears for N/A GTs and Cobras for the track. I really wouldn't recomend these on a daily driver car, and the highway would be a bit excesive...



I personally will be going with 3.73s on my GT because i highway commute everywhere pretty much non-stop. And 4.10s would be too much for me. It all comes down to personal opinion. But i would HIGHLY recommend you get one of those links to an RPM calculator...and start takign notice of how you drive around town and on the highway, and what speeds and RPMs you travel at. Then compare them to the gear calculator and see what is best for you

 

[trailblazr81]

I have 4.10's and drive 45 highway miles one way for work one day a week. I just keep er around 70-75. Its not bad, especially since our cars are designed to rev higher and make power higher up in the RPM than older pushrod motors.

Also dont forget the MGW shifter!!

 

[Henceforward]

I don't plan on running on tracks...just the streets.

:Track:

Oh and spend the extra money on a complete rebuild kit with shims and etc. Consider new Axle bearings too.