how much gear is too much

If it is an auto 3.55 is great. According to Alternative Auto who has done tune work with the auto GT they need 'very little' in the way of more gear, else you wind up not being in the power band thru the 1/4. 4.30 is plenty for a manual.
 
I have 4.56's and it's not bad at all on the street. I go thru the traps at 6500 rpm's. I had 4.30's and I was going thru the traps at like 5000 rpm's. I really don't remember the exact rpm with the 4.30's. I do remember wanting to get the rpm's up going thru the traps. I get about 17 mpg around town and about 21-23 highway.
 
169stang said:
I have 4.56's and it's not bad at all on the street. I go thru the traps at 6500 rpm's. I had 4.30's and I was going thru the traps at like 5000 rpm's. I really don't remember the exact rpm with the 4.30's. I do remember wanting to get the rpm's up going thru the traps. I get about 17 mpg around town and about 21-23 highway.

What size rims and tires are you running??
 
FallujahMedic said:
know nothing of gears, which is better for 1/4 mile and which is better for top end?

Well that all depends. The higher the gear, 4.10, 4.30, 4.56 the more abuse is being put on the car, esp. at higher speeds since the RPM's will be higher. EX. 80mph @ 2900-3000 as 169Stang said. While thats not something i would like to run, its still safe but putting some wear and tear on the engine. But, the higher the gear ratio the more power will be put to the lower gears(1st, 2nd etc.) making you faster off the line while at the same time reducing the top end.

Realisticly(spelling?) speaking the stock set up is the best for BOTH 1/4 mile and top end since it is in a "perfect" ratio. Not too much 1/4 and not reducing the top end. It all depends what you want your car to do, do some searcing here, gears talk has been very popular recently.
-mike
 
I'm still on stock wheels and tires for daily driving. I put on some 26" M/T on 17" wheels when I go to the track. I have some 15" Bogarts on order, which at that time, I'll mount 28" ET Drags. After I see what that setup does, I'll either go back to 4.30's or maybe even 4.10's. That's a few months down the road though.