• Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech

Gears and Tires

  • Thread starter Thread starter mhanksii
  • Start date Start date Feb 5, 2008

mhanksii

Member
Jan 3, 2006
336
0
16
Maryland
Feb 5, 2008
#1
  • Feb 5, 2008
  • #1
OK so I have been trying to pick between saving my money for a supercharger or putting in some 4:10 and running N/A again this year. I have been worried about traction in 1ST when it hit me, my tires suck. So I ask, everyone with gears (no matter the ratio) what brand tires and size are you running and where are you buying them? My second question is are any of you with gears also running forced induction and if so how is traction in the first three forward gears?

Thanks for the input and advice
 
S

steedman07

Member
Nov 20, 2007
176
1
17
Connecticut
Feb 5, 2008
#2
  • Feb 5, 2008
  • #2
Traction is an issue in 1st gear w/ A Vortech,4:10's in an automatic..But playing with the thottle in first its not too bad..2nd and up is balls to the walls
 

Khyron

Member
Oct 20, 2006
68
0
6
Lincoln, NE
Feb 5, 2008
#3
  • Feb 5, 2008
  • #3
I had 4.10s in my car and loved everything about them - until I added the supercharger. The combo of the SC and 4.10s made the first 3 gears pretty useless for me. So I actually ended up going back to the stock 3.55 gears.

If you remain N/A - go for the 4.10s! You will love them. There are plenty of guys on here who have 4.10s with superchargers as well.
 

mhanksii

Member
Jan 3, 2006
336
0
16
Maryland
Feb 5, 2008
#4
  • Feb 5, 2008
  • #4
What about tire brand and size
 

belzebub2u

New Member
Oct 10, 2004
164
0
0
Woodstock GA
Feb 5, 2008
#5
  • Feb 5, 2008
  • #5
im running the stock gears and went up to a general UHP 275/40/18 and they grip pretty good for a cheap tire (130 bucks each) but 1st and half of 2nd are still useless for me. i dont think that will change unless i spend boatloads on expensive rubber.
 

kooldawg6

mine works really well and can take a fair amount
Aug 31, 2006
1,679
2
38
Central VA
Feb 5, 2008
#6
  • Feb 5, 2008
  • #6
It's just not tire choice, suspension setup and rear tire height also plays a big role in traction. Tire height and gears go hand in hand. The taller the rear tire, the less gear you have while gaining sidewall flex. The shorter the tire, the more gear you have while losing sidewall flex.

Me having 4.10s and going from the 27.2" OEM rear tire to the 28.3" rear tire dropped my RPMs effectively giving me less than 4.10 final ratio. If I were to go to a 26" rear tire with the 4.10s, my RPMs would increase and effectively giving me more than 4.10 final ratio.
 

nycstang37

New Member
Nov 18, 2005
146
0
0
Queens, NY
Feb 5, 2008
#7
  • Feb 5, 2008
  • #7
sorta OT, but gotta ask, when you add 4,10's to stock tire height, yoru final drive ratio is 4.10 correct? the only time the effective gear ratio changes is when you change tire height from stock? sorry if it sounds like a dumb question
 

kooldawg6

mine works really well and can take a fair amount
Aug 31, 2006
1,679
2
38
Central VA
Feb 5, 2008
#8
  • Feb 5, 2008
  • #8
nycstang37 said:
sorta OT, but gotta ask, when you add 4,10's to stock tire height, yoru final drive ratio is 4.10 correct? the only time the effective gear ratio changes is when you change tire height from stock? sorry if it sounds like a dumb question
Click to expand...

I believe that is correct.
 

nycstang37

New Member
Nov 18, 2005
146
0
0
Queens, NY
Feb 5, 2008
#9
  • Feb 5, 2008
  • #9
thanks bro, wasnt sure, gearing was probably the only thing i coudl never understand, funny to i was an engineering major, big word there, WAS. lol
 

DOHC Holliday

New Member
Mar 16, 2007
5
0
0
The All American Valley, CT
Feb 5, 2008
#10
  • Feb 5, 2008
  • #10
I can walk it out pretty good with my 4.10s on a stock 235. It takes practice.

You'll then be more concerned with traction when you hit second.
 
R

ranger04

New Member
Jul 28, 2007
245
0
0
Feb 7, 2008
#11
  • Feb 7, 2008
  • #11
I went with 4:30's and love them, it sure backs up better as the reverse gear seemed real high for some reason. At times I wished that I had gone with 4:56's, but at these gas prices, 4:30's are steep enough. These motors love to rev, so don't be affraid to throw some gear at it. I would like to stay all motor and might if ford delievers on us some big bore create motors at a decent price. I've heard rummors of a 351 and a 7 liter, we can only hope.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Drivetrain How much resistance, if any at all, is normal on a new 1st gear and synchro on a WC T5 transmission?
  • sleep-e
  • Jan 21, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
311
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 22, 2026
sleep-e
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
454
1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech Jun 14, 2026
manicmechanic007
O
SOLD FS: 18" FR500 chrome wheels and Toyo tires
  • optionizerSS
  • May 21, 2026
  • Other Classifieds
Replies
1
Views
203
Other Classifieds Jun 2, 2026
optionizerSS
O
D
96 get convertible-sell or part out?
  • DTCstang
  • May 17, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
5
Views
248
What is it Worth?!?!? May 18, 2026
nickyb
G
Expired 2013 Ford Mustang V6 (Grabber Blue) 3:55 gears... Excellent Condition.
  • Grabberblueguy77
  • Nov 19, 2025
  • S197 Mustangs For Sale (2005-14)
Replies
2
Views
548
S197 Mustangs For Sale (2005-14) Mar 11, 2026
Grabberblueguy77
G
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific 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?