• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Going to 3.89 gears..speedo gear?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike85000
  • Start date Start date Dec 25, 2007
M

Mike85000

New Member
Feb 22, 2007
65
0
0
Dec 25, 2007
#1
  • Dec 25, 2007
  • #1
Hey Guys,

I have a set of 3.89 richmond gears for my 87 GT. I see speedo calibration charts which show correction gears for 3.73s, but not 3.89s.

I am running 245/60/15s on the back. Since 3.89 is only about 4% greater ratio than 3.73s, and I have taller than stock tires, do you think using 21tooth red speedo gear would work fairly accurate?

I think the stock tire size is 225/60/15 and I'm running 245s which are about 9% taller than stock.

If I were to run the red gear, wouldn't that leave me with only about 5% error?

I did search and read a bunch of posts, but couldn't find much info for 3.90 gears.

Thanks,
Mike
 

91 HATCH

Banned
May 17, 2007
262
0
0
illinois
Dec 25, 2007
#2
  • Dec 25, 2007
  • #2
3.90 gear with 225/60/vr15 which is 815 revolutions per mile

83-89 automatic requires a 7 tooth drive gear and a 23 tooth speedometer gear
90-98 automatic requires a 7 tooth drive gear and a 23 tooth speedometer gear
83-89 5 speed t-5 requires a 7 tooth drive gear and a 23 tooth speedometer gear
90-98 5 speed t-5 requires a 8 tooth drive gear and a 23 tooth speedometer gear

this is as close as it gets
here is the formula for figuring your speedometer gears


(drive gear teeth) x (axle ratio) x (tire revolutions per mile)
divide this number by 1000 and the sum is the # of teeth required


sample for your 3.90 gear set

7 x 3.90 x 815 = 22.2495
1000

you would normally select the closest whole number which would be 22 in your case (with stock tires) but there is no 22 only 21 and 23 also your tires are taller which means less revolutions per mile but i dont think it calls for going to 21 and i would use a 23 the difference would be very very close
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Dec 26, 2007
#3
  • Dec 26, 2007
  • #3
The stock range of speedo gears work correctly with a limited range of tire sizes. The 23 tooth white gear works good for some guys, but self destructs in a few months for others.

See http://www.corral.net/tech/gearcalc.html for more help

Check to see if there is a speedometer shop in your area. If there is, ask about the Stewart-Warner speedometer gearbox. I believe it is either a 777 Series Drive Joint Kits and Parts or 666 Series Drive Joint Kits and Parts. It is a small gear box that fits between the speedo pickup gear on the transmission and the speedometer. It has quick change gears that allow you to choose almost any tire size and rear end gear ratio you want. This will allow you to get the accuracy within 1%-3%. The drawback is that it isn't cheap.
Please excuse the typo (their's, not mine) in the following picture - it should read Custom ratio adapters, not Custom radio adapters.

See http://www.gaugeguys.com/ratioadapt.htm for more info.
 
M

Mike85000

New Member
Feb 22, 2007
65
0
0
Dec 27, 2007
#4
  • Dec 27, 2007
  • #4
Thanks for the input guys.

jrichker : That would be the ideal solution, but I'm not worried about the stock speedo being calibrated that precisely. And for the price, its not in the cards for me (student).

91 HATCH: Thanks for providing the formula. With your formula, my setup wold be

7 x 3.90 x 759 / 1000 = 20.667

I think i will stick with my plan for going with the 21t gear. Thanks for the help though guys, i appreciate it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Suggestions for rear diff gears - 1969 Mach 351W 4v
  • cfauvel
  • Apr 8, 2024
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Replies
10
Views
2K
Classic Mustang Specific Tech Jun 27, 2024
cfauvel
C
First gear is too tall. Should I make it taller? Nitrous guys, help!
  • FastDriver
  • Dec 30, 2023
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
3K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Dec 31, 2023
AeroCoupe
J
Progress Thread Family member 1989 GT- Backstory and updates
  • JRC99
  • Apr 19, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
15
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 26, 2025
JRC99
J
Idle spark confusion
  • sav22rem22
  • Oct 26, 2023
  • Digital Self-tuning Forum
Replies
2
Views
2K
Digital Self-tuning Forum Nov 1, 2023
sav22rem22
C
Anybody recognize this car?
  • ctandc
  • Jun 14, 2023
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
10
Views
3K
The Welcome Wagon Apr 27, 2025
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 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?