Roush Rear Gear questions

[washMO66]

Getting ready to pull the trigger on 3:73's and I have a few questions;

1. I'm looking on Summit and I see that there is a standard rotation and a reverse rotation. I assume that I need the standard?

2. I also see several ring and pinion install kits, do I need one of these and if so there are several??????

3. I want to replace the diff cover, any suggestions on manufacturer, advantages, disadvantages?

4. I see there are a few manufacturers (FMS, Richmond etc) any one better than the other? Richmond has a sportsman gear, is it more stout than the others?

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

 

[washMO66]

ttt

ready to order with some feedback

 

[Acheron315]

I have always heard only positive things about FMS gears. I have a set on my shelves that I haven't gotten around to installing yet. I would check with your installer aboout whether or not they would supply the seals and shims, some like to use their own.

In my opinion, the best (and only) diff cover to go with is the one with recessed bolts from TA performance. http://www.rpmoutlet.com/mach1fuelr.htm
Not only do they look better, they help strengthen everything as well. I put one of these on and it was pretty easy.

No matter what rear end cover you get, make sure they have recessed bolts because on the 99+ cars there can be some interference between them and your spare tire well.

What are you going to do about the speedo correction?

 

[justin]

Go with the Ford Racing gears. They are the best quality and they do come with shims. You don't really need anything else because your stang doesn't have that many miles. Summit racing has the best deal right now on the ford racing gears. I did a lot of research and ended up getting my 3.73 from them.

 

[washMO66]

As soon as the gears are installed I am taking it to a tuner with a new pulley and have him take care of it all......

 

[Acheron315]

Cool, good luck, and post the results of the tune!

 

[129saleen]

Ive had 3:73's for about 1 year now and I like them...
They are FMS...
I drove around for a while without the speedo corrected and it wasnt that bad, It just adds miles faster which sucks...

 

[washMO66]

Gears are going in next Wednesday, I'm going with 3:73's.

One more question -

How critical is it that I change the rear diff cover to get one with the support bolts? I'm on the fence on weather I need to do this or not. My car will be getting some modifications in the near future and my goal is to get around 450 to the wheels.

 

[marcus95]

Don't worry about your diff cover. If you want that pumpkin to look pretty while your car is in the air then do it. Otherwise, the cost does not outweigh the advantage. Also, you will have to get out the hammer and "adjust" your spare tire tub if you go aftermarket.
You should be happy with 3.73's. Anything else would be overkill especially with the nums you are expecting. I would go posi, but that's just me. It's more dough but...
You can't go wrong with Richmond or FMS. As long as the guy setting the gears and lash has done a million of them you wont have any issues with either gear. Good luck and if you have not already get a MGW shifter.

 

[washMO66]

Marcus, you work for MGW or what?

I ended up going with Precision gears, they are supposed to be a high quality gear.

http://www.precisiongear.com/

Skipping the diff cover and placing an order instead for an MGW shifter.....


Side note OT - Spoke with Joe from Chicane again yesterday. He's a sharp guy and we had the pulley intercooler discussion again, and again I didn't order the pulley. I am considering the intercooler upgrade but a part of me just wants to put back that money and wait and go KB 2.2.

Does the KB 2.2 come with a adequate intercooler & heat exchanger? Marcus - your opinion?

 

[Head Paneer]

Don't worry about your diff cover. If you want that pumpkin to look pretty while your car is in the air then do it. Otherwise, the cost does not outweigh the advantage. Also, you will have to get out the hammer and "adjust" your spare tire tub if you go aftermarket.

I have heard that the new “low profile” cover does not necessitate taking a hammer to the tub.

 

[marcus95]

Nah,

I'm not affiliated with them at all. I will tell you however that I was involved with a bit of R&D with a HUGE shifter co. last year. We tested a number of shifters ( all of the popular ) brands and it was determined that we could not reproduce a shifter (price point) that could compare with the MGW. This includes all of the shifters in the line up. We went through the top five and set the bar with that shifter for the 3650.

Anyway, Dennis, yes the lowpro is nicer but still required a few hits. Sorry. Maybe my fingers are getting fat.

Anyway, I don't believe you will get any huge gains from going to the 2.2 KB. The displacement of the two are almost identical. A lot of guys here even retain the intercooler that came with their Saleen when upgrading to the KB. I'm talking about the 1.7 as well as the 2.2. It can really become a strong debate however Joes intercooler is far superior and together with his radiator (dual fan) it is a pricey but nice investment. You own an 'E" car and need to remember that most likely you wont keep it forever so don't go and chuck the cash on another blower. Take a look at Mike ( Extreme ). I can't believe that so many "E" cars drive and perform so different. If yours is healthy now, what you want to do is keep it that way an efficient "E" is a happy one. The pulley makes power just keep the temps down.

 

[washMO66]

Well, I guess following my gear swap I will go for the intercooler and a 3.75 or 3.5" pulley and see how it all shakes out.

Thanks

 

[justin]

I also agree with the MGW shifter. It is awesome. I've used the Steeda triax in the past and the MGW is far superior. So much better shifter than stock.