• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

Improvemnets for the stang

  • Thread starter Thread starter jlangholzj
  • Start date Start date Feb 27, 2009

jlangholzj

Mustang Master
Oct 23, 2006
248
31
93
MI
Feb 27, 2009
#1
  • Feb 27, 2009
  • #1
Well I'll have some free money floating around this summer, and I've got a few things I'd like to change on the stang.

1) shift kit.

there's a few out there...transgo, hughes, b&m etc etc...what is a brand that some of you guys have had luck with? also it seems like each kit may be a bit different? I'm looking for something to really lock in the tranny, like a "performance" kit. suggestions?


also


2) gears.

I reaally want to put some lower gears in my rear end!

i just have a C-4, so I'm thinking that 3.50:1 would be the highest i want to go. Although i don't do a lot of highway travel, it would be nice not to be wound up tight going down the highway. so suggestions on gears? I've got 3:00 : 1 right now. also, I'd think that summit would have some...but i'm having a hard time finding the right thing...suggestions?


thanks a ton guys.

-John
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
550
204
tucson,az
Feb 27, 2009
#2
  • Feb 27, 2009
  • #2
jlangholzj said:
Well I'll have some free money floating around this summer, and I've got a few things I'd like to change on the stang.

1) shift kit.

there's a few out there...transgo, hughes, b&m etc etc...what is a brand that some of you guys have had luck with? also it seems like each kit may be a bit different? I'm looking for something to really lock in the tranny, like a "performance" kit. suggestions?
Click to expand...

transgo and B&M are both very good kits, i have used them in the past. hughes is also good, though i have no personal experience with their kits.


also


2) gears.

I reaally want to put some lower gears in my rear end!

i just have a C-4, so I'm thinking that 3.50:1 would be the highest i want to go. Although i don't do a lot of highway travel, it would be nice not to be wound up tight going down the highway. so suggestions on gears? I've got 3:00 : 1 right now. also, I'd think that summit would have some...but i'm having a hard time finding the right thing...suggestions?


thanks a ton guys.

-John
Click to expand...

i also would not go with a gear lower than 3.50 with the C4. in fact a 3.25-3.31 gear is an excellent compromise ratio for a mostly street car. another option though would be to keep the 3.00's for street driving, and pick up another pumpkin and stuff it with a set of 3.89's to be installed at the track for racing, and then you can swap the 3.00's back in when you leave, or the next morning if need be. trust me you will get to where you can swap pumpkins in about 15 minutes or so(an electric impact wrench would be a good idea).
 

jlangholzj

Mustang Master
Oct 23, 2006
248
31
93
MI
Feb 28, 2009
#3
  • Feb 28, 2009
  • #3
3.89's would be tits but since its not going to see much (if any) "track time" I'm opting for the 3.31. besides the fact, I'm usually not going much over 55-60 in it down the road...b/c who takes their stang somewhere if they're in a hurry?! i like to enjoy my rides




so my next question is...with the shift kits....they really don't tell you much of a difference between them...IE... they're like 20 transgo kits all with different prices and the same description... would the best thing to do is call a summit tech?
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
550
204
tucson,az
Feb 28, 2009
#4
  • Feb 28, 2009
  • #4
jlangholzj said:
who takes their stang somewhere if they're in a hurry?! i like to enjoy my rides
Click to expand...

in fact i do, or rather will when i finish the car, someday. i not only enjoy driving the car, i enjoy going fast!

so my next question is...with the shift kits....they really don't tell you much of a difference between them...IE... they're like 20 transgo kits all with different prices and the same description... would the best thing to do is call a summit tech?
Click to expand...

john, depending on what year your C4 is out of, there are three kits i recommend;

for the 65-66 C4 use Transgo Performance 45-01 - TransGo Performance Shift Kits - summitracing.com

for the 67-69 C4 use Transgo Performance 47-1 - TransGo Performance Shift Kits - summitracing.com

for the 70-up C4 use Transgo Performance 47-2 - TransGo Performance Shift Kits - summitracing.com
 

65ShelbyClone

Founding Member
Sep 9, 2000
4,675
38
119
Antelope Valley, SoCal
Feb 28, 2009
#5
  • Feb 28, 2009
  • #5
jlangholzj said:
2) gears.

I reaally want to put some lower gears in my rear end!

i just have a C-4, so I'm thinking that 3.50:1 would be the highest i want to go. Although i don't do a lot of highway travel, it would be nice not to be wound up tight going down the highway. so suggestions on gears? I've got 3:00 : 1 right now. also, I'd think that summit would have some...but i'm having a hard time finding the right thing...suggestions?
Click to expand...

You probably have an 8" rear, right? Summit has everything from 3.00 to 4.62 for it.

Like everyone else, I wouldn't recommend going higher than ~3.50 with no overdrive. I have 3.50s in my '68 with a Toploader(1:1 4th gear same as the C4's 3rd gear) and it tachs around 3000 at 60mph.
 

raleighstang65

Member
Jan 19, 2007
170
0
16
Wake Forest, NC
Feb 28, 2009
#6
  • Feb 28, 2009
  • #6
I put the Transgo Performance kit in my 65' not long ago and love it! Very easy to install. Shifts are nice and firm when you "get on it" and mild when easing into it.

I also installed 3.55 gears with a Traction Loc unit a few months ago. Great bang for the buck upgrade. I got mine on eBay, don't see the seller listed anymore but IIRC it was about $350 fully assembled. The 3.55 gears with my C-4, 17" wheels with 235/45 tires is right on the verge of not being fun to drive on the highway. I'm right around 2,800 rpms at 60 mph. Most of my driving is around town so it's not a problem at all for me.

Hope this helps!
 

jlangholzj

Mustang Master
Oct 23, 2006
248
31
93
MI
Feb 28, 2009
#7
  • Feb 28, 2009
  • #7
thanks alot for the input guys. I think from what I've heard...3.50 might be a little high for my liking, and just re-assured my thoughts on a 3.25 / 3.31

just out of curiosity...anyone here have them in their stang? and how much of an improvement...-ish...will i see going from 3.00 to say 3.25 's ??
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

3
Hammer shifter problems
  • 387lx
  • Apr 9, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
217
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 11, 2026
General karthief
Electrical/engine bay harness questions
  • djj62478
  • May 29, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
360
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 6, 2026
djj62478
Engine Suggestions on an engine rebuild. Stock cam/GT40Ps or aftermarket on both for a fun weekend driver?
  • MadSquirrelTech
  • Apr 28, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
MadSquirrelTech
G
Auto City Classics 67-70 Mustang disc brake kit question/s
  • GOvert
  • Jun 30, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
96
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 30, 2026
GOvert
G
Power steering hoses
  • Teen'93stang5.0
  • Apr 3, 2026
  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech
Replies
3
Views
247
1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech Apr 14, 2026
Teen'93stang5.0
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang 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?