New Gears VS New Rear

[98V6]

So I have been bouncing these ideas around in my head and I don't know what to do. So I got married a few months ago and my wife has been buggin me to fix up her car. She has a 98 V6 with low mileage. I started thinking well gears would be an easy fix for some speed. I can't figure out if I want to just upgrade the stock 7.5" axel or do an 8.8" swap.

I can get a 7.5" ring and pinion set for less then $200 and I can get a 7.5" limited slip for about $200.

What do you think a 8.8 rear assemblie would cost me ?

My friend works for FORD so either way he can help me out.

 

[98V6]

well what do you guys think, is it worth while to change the gears in the 7.5 or do a 8.8 swap.

 

[zincyellow03]

Remember you also have to add to it: price to install it, you need a chip, and your going to end up using octane 93 gas. Are you sure you want to go with it? It's a good mod, but it gets kinda expensive (especially with gas prices). Maybe you can get her a new exhaust system? Maybe you can also do something cosmetic to her car? Anyone have any other ideas?

Hope this helps!

 

[OxMox]

First off you can get them alot cheaper. www.gefracing.com
And just stick with the 7.5 rear end unless you want to go with a S/C.

 

[cruisinV6]

Above statement makes most sense. Unless you plan on adding some boost, the 7.5 is good enough for most cars. T-lock and gears would be a great mod though.

 

[Linz]

Above statement makes most sense. Unless you plan on adding some boost, the 7.5 is good enough for most cars. T-lock and gears would be a great mod though.

 

[FunkMasterFlex]

Remember you also have to add to it: price to install it, you need a chip, and your going to end up using octane 93 gas. Are you sure you want to go with it? It's a good mod, but it gets kinda expensive (especially with gas prices). Maybe you can get her a new exhaust system? Maybe you can also do something cosmetic to her car? Anyone have any other ideas?

Hope this helps!

you dont NEED a chip but it will solve the problem(on 99+'s at least im not sure about 98), i do believe that you can get a speedo gear for the 94-98 models that will correct the speedometer. the 99+'s can use a speedo recalibrator which they may or may not also make for the 94-98s. as far as the using 93 octane gas i have no clue what your talking about, i have never heard of anyone who has done a gear swap and needed to use higher octane gas.

to try and better answer your question you will not need an 8.8 rear end unless you are nearing 300tq territory. torque is what kills the 7.5 and if you wont be supercharging or using nitrous or building up the engine and making a good bit of power you wont need the 8.8. also if the car wont be raced with super sticky tires and a good bit of power then you shouldnt worry about breaking the 7.5. unless the installed price of the two is very close with your friends discount then id say the 8.8 isnt worth it.

if your wifes car is manual id go with either 3.73's or 4.10s(its personal prefference) but if its auto i would definitly go with 4.10s(autos are geared higher and 3.73s wont feel much different)

 

[98V6]

thanks for the info, I am not sure what my friend would want, but I think I it would be about $600 total parts and labour to change the gears in the 7.5, I wonder what a 8.8 off of a GT would cost me ?