Gears

[JD1964]

Most of us get hungry for hp and pile it on one way or another eventually. These Foxbody cars are on the lighter side of weight so they don't really need steep gears to get them moving. I think the best overall choice for a 5spd manual car is 3.55. For an automatic, go with 4.10.

My 5spd car has 3.73 because that's what was available to me at a good price installed. A local guy sold them to me and installed for $300 total, parts and labor. The gears came out of a Mercury Mountaineer. I supplied him a shim kit and bearings at my additional cost. All told the bill was a little over $400 for all parts and labor.

With the engine mods and V3 I've done, if I had my way, id rather have 3.55 than 3.73

Same guy that installed my gears has a 93 notch 5spd with big turbo on it. He currently has 3.73 but runs them out before the end of the 1/4 mile. He's looking to take the 3.73 out and put in 3.27. His car will get into the 10's.

I say if you're going to be building up engine to anything near or above 400 crank hp, 3.55 is the steepest I would recommend for a manual transmission car.

 

[General karthief]

Now that you got several opinions tell us what you are planning.

 

[Adieu]

2.73s, 29mpg highway from a fox-body 5.0 convertible with an automatic yo!





(but it was a lot more fun in town when I put 3.55s in it and I only lost 2 highway mpg and picked up 3mpg city)

 

[Mustang5L5]

I still have my 2.73s. Looking at past eBay sales....they are starting to sell....

 

[JD1964]

I got some 3.08's if anybodys interested. LOL

 

[Mustang5L5]

I got some 3.08's if anybodys interested. LOL

Even those are going for $50 used or so on the E

 

[General karthief]

I have a vert with 325s or 328 something like that, they where optional on my 89 gt that came with 308s

 

[JD1964]

I have a vert with 325s or 328 something like that, they where optional on my 89 gt that came with 308s

I think they would be 3.27

Ring gear measures 8.8".
28 Spline axle shafts with a 1.29" diameter.
31 Spline axle shafts with a 1.32" diameter.
Ratios: 2.26, 2.47, 2.73, 3.08, 3.27, 3.31, 3.45, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10 & 4.56, 5.14

 

[Mustang5L5]

I believe there are aftermarket 3.90's as well


I've never seen 3.45's for an 8.8. Thought they were 7.5" only

 

[General karthief]

I think they would be 3.27

Ring gear measures 8.8".
28 Spline axle shafts with a 1.29" diameter.
31 Spline axle shafts with a 1.32" diameter.
Ratios: 2.26, 2.47, 2.73, 3.08, 3.27, 3.31, 3.45, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10 & 4.56, 5.14

Thanks, I was worried I was wrong, no worries now.

 

[CarMichael Angelo]

I'll add my .02

I have 3.73's and a 4R70w, and I think first gear is worthless........ my 1st gear is 2.84
A V8 T-5 has a 3.35 first........how much more worthless will that be?

A 3.55 rear gear on a N/A street driven car would be my advice.
I'm going to install 3.27's in my car,...(and rebuild the T-loc while I'm at it)

 

[a91what]

I agree Mike. My 1st gear is pointless, I have to shift before my foot even reaches the floor.... that's with 3.73.....

I am now going to a 3.08 gear which should play nicely with the t5.

 

[cleanLX]

I would say to stick with your original plan and go 4.10's. I like FoMoCo ring/pinion sets for the 8.8 diff.
I ran stock motor, 26" tire, T5 and 4.10 and it was fine.
I did have 3.73's in it previously, they were nice too, I preferred the 4.10 and the car responded at the track. (low 13.teens vs 12.9's)
If it is never going to see slicks at the track, if you have no plans on putting sticky tires on it for the street and/or if you see yourself driving 90mph+ everywhere, throw a numerically lower set in it.

 

[Grn92LX]

Gear the car for the power band of the combo. Ford Racing 4.30's in my streeter. No problems on the highway. Cruise around 2200-2500