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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Why not 3.90s???

  • Thread starter Thread starter PSCBrenden
  • Start date Start date Jul 31, 2004
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PSCBrenden

New Member
May 6, 2004
127
0
0
Dallas
Jul 31, 2004
#1
  • Jul 31, 2004
  • #1
Well all i hear on this site is people saying 4.10s are they way to go with the Mustang and i even see posts of people wishing they went with 4.30s. But everyone over at my local speed shop says dont get the 4.10s the best gear for the Mustang is 3.90s i hear the same thing from several of my Mustang friends. Now im about to order gears and i cant decide between Motive 3.90s or FRPP 4.10s i trust both the forums opinion and my friends opinion...so tell me again why i should go with the 4.10s over the 3.90s


 

1tirefire

New Member
Jun 2, 2004
118
0
0
Northern Bay FF/SS
Jul 31, 2004
#2
  • Jul 31, 2004
  • #2
go ahead, there isn't much differance between the two. think of it this way 4.10 axle turns to one turn of the wheels vs 3.90. not much differnce. either one is fine and better than stock.
 
5

54life

New Member
Jul 24, 2003
392
0
0
Cali currently at Ft. Rucker AL
Jul 31, 2004
#3
  • Jul 31, 2004
  • #3
the 4.10's are just a slight bit more of gear....all a personal preferance.....it is a good gear though
 
9

98SteedaStang

Member
Dec 11, 2002
382
0
16
Chicago Suburbs
Jul 31, 2004
#4
  • Jul 31, 2004
  • #4
Well its better then a 3.73!
 

StangFreak32

New Member
Jul 16, 2004
75
0
0
Baton Rouge, La
Jul 31, 2004
#5
  • Jul 31, 2004
  • #5
see i was always told 3.73 for 5spd and 4.10 for autos (daily drivers)
 

crew_dawg16

New Member
Apr 25, 2004
445
0
0
DeKalb, IL
Jul 31, 2004
#6
  • Jul 31, 2004
  • #6
the 4.10s will give you a slightly better mechanical advantage, but the 3.90s will not drop your rpms a lot from the 4.10s... I say 4.10
 
2

281Ponies

New Member
Nov 14, 2003
190
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0
Jul 31, 2004
#7
  • Jul 31, 2004
  • #7
Just had Motive 3.90s installed yesterday, made a 50 mile trip to have it done. On the way over I set the cruise on 75mph for a comparison later and was turning 2000rpms according to the tach needle. After the install I used the predator to calibrate the speedo for 3.90s and did a bit of heat cycling the new gears. Later I set the cruise on 75mph for the trip back home and was turning 2450rpms according to the tach needle.
Looking at the Engine, Gear, & Tire Calculator at http://www.wcfords.com/stuff/calcs/EGTcalc/egtcalc.php I should be turning 2150rpms with the factory 3.27s at 75mph and 2565rpms with 3.90s which seems to match what I was seeing looking at the tach needle (not the digital tach readout). According to this calculator with 4.10s you should be turning 2696rpms at 75mph, which is a 131rpm difference.
I should add, when I made my gear selection I was not concerned with tenths out at the track. I just wanted to give the car some kick off the line and make it feel a bit lighter. 3.90s have done a good job doing this and I’m very happy with the choice I’ve made.

BTW I haven't changed tire sizes, these speeds and rpms were in 5th gear on 245/45/17s.

-Cale
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
Jul 31, 2004
#8
  • Jul 31, 2004
  • #8
My shop told me definately 3.73s for the street. (And I'm OK with with that, except when I drive the 01 with 4.10s) I think the reason more people don't go with 3.90s is because FRPP doesn't make them. Any of these gears will be a big improvement over stock. I really think the 3.90 would be a perfect fit, right in the middle.
I drive both cars listed in my sig...my 02 pulls better thru 3rd and 4th, but my wife's 01 is better off the line. Both are a blast to drive.
If your shop supports and installs the 3.90s, I'd say go for it. I think you'll be very happy with these.
 

DJsZincGT

Founding Member
Aug 29, 2002
1,141
0
36
WV
Jul 31, 2004
#9
  • Jul 31, 2004
  • #9
PSCBrenden said:
Well all i hear on this site is people saying 4.10s are they way to go with the Mustang and i even see posts of people wishing they went with 4.30s. But everyone over at my local speed shop says dont get the 4.10s the best gear for the Mustang is 3.90s i hear the same thing from several of my Mustang friends. Now im about to order gears and i cant decide between Motive 3.90s or FRPP 4.10s i trust both the forums opinion and my friends opinion...so tell me again why i should go with the 4.10s over the 3.90s


Click to expand...

I just had 3.73's installed yesterday (3.73 because I'm supercharging my car). The car definately accelerates harder than it did when it was stock. It's much more fun to drive. However if I was staying N/A I would've done the 3.90's or 4.10's (most likely the 4.10's) and I have a 100 mile round trip to work everyday. The 4.10's are just more fun. Don't fear the gear!!!!
 

SonicBlueBabe

New Member
Sep 20, 2003
289
0
0
Boca Raton, FL
Jul 31, 2004
#10
  • Jul 31, 2004
  • #10
I love my 3.90's. There is a slight difference between the 3.73's and 3.90's. Should be about the same between the 3.90's and the 4.10's. I was goin to go with either the 3.73's or the 4.10's and then I saw the 3.90's came out and ended up with those. They are great! Even with the nitrous, it's not too much gear. I say the 3.90's are perfect for a car that's gonna stay n/a or if you're gonna go with a power adder.
 

GoBabyVroommm

Active Member
Mar 22, 2003
1,156
0
36
Chicago, For Realss???!!!
Jul 31, 2004
#11
  • Jul 31, 2004
  • #11
Well 390 vs 373/410 you have to customize to get in and work. Most shop don't even know how to install a simple Ford Racing gear let a lone a 390.

I'm gettin a 390 as my next gear but its going to come with the 9inch i order. My friend talked me out of gettin the 390 just because of the fact its not a easy bolt-on.
 

Ghostface

Member
Jan 11, 2004
226
0
17
Jul 31, 2004
#12
  • Jul 31, 2004
  • #12
281Ponies said:
Just had Motive 3.90s installed yesterday, made a 50 mile trip to have it done. On the way over I set the cruise on 75mph for a comparison later and was turning 2000rpms according to the tach needle. After the install I used the predator to calibrate the speedo for 3.90s and did a bit of heat cycling the new gears. Later I set the cruise on 75mph for the trip back home and was turning 2450rpms according to the tach needle.
Looking at the Engine, Gear, & Tire Calculator at http://www.wcfords.com/stuff/calcs/EGTcalc/egtcalc.php I should be turning 2150rpms with the factory 3.27s at 75mph and 2565rpms with 3.90s which seems to match what I was seeing looking at the tach needle (not the digital tach readout). According to this calculator with 4.10s you should be turning 2696rpms at 75mph, which is a 131rpm difference.
I should add, when I made my gear selection I was not concerned with tenths out at the track. I just wanted to give the car some kick off the line and make it feel a bit lighter. 3.90s have done a good job doing this and I’m very happy with the choice I’ve made.

BTW I haven't changed tire sizes, these speeds and rpms were in 5th gear on 245/45/17s.

-Cale
Click to expand...



Great review!
 

Defleshed

Satanic Mechanic
Nov 30, 2003
10,569
1
0
In Torment, In Hell
Jul 31, 2004
#13
  • Jul 31, 2004
  • #13
Please. 4.10s. Please.
 
V

vidmaster

New Member
Jun 6, 2004
167
1
0
Brick, NJ
Jul 31, 2004
#14
  • Jul 31, 2004
  • #14
Heh I went with 4.10's. When I'm ready to supercharge, I'm going to rebuild my whole rear end. It'll be at least a year before I s/c so I figured what the hell might as well have fun now while I wait.
 

damacman

Member
Aug 12, 2003
529
0
16
Phoenix, AZ
Jul 31, 2004
#15
  • Jul 31, 2004
  • #15
awe, don't be a sissy, 5.14s would get 'er outadahole' quicker . . .
 
L

laser2kgt

New Member
Feb 18, 2004
237
0
0
Laredo, TX
Aug 1, 2004
#16
  • Aug 1, 2004
  • #16
 

Redfire03GT

New Member
Sep 10, 2003
395
0
0
Newark, CA.
Aug 1, 2004
#17
  • Aug 1, 2004
  • #17
Problem is, a lot of people still have the mentality towards our cars that they had for the 5.0's. It's not the same.

Generally speaking, 3.73's just doesn't cut it, 3.90's would be a tease, 4.10's are the accepted equalibrium, where as 4.30's or higher are usually meant for those who drag race only or simply don't give a damn.

Get 4.10's at least.
 

ronaldriske

Member
Mar 25, 2004
34
1
9
Aug 3, 2004
#18
  • Aug 3, 2004
  • #18
I dont care! I'm running 4.30's and love them. Of course the way I judge mods are by how much they help me destroy tires, and 4.30's have been the best mod so far!
 
J

jmichalicek

Founding Member
Apr 27, 2002
274
0
0
Richmond, Va
Aug 3, 2004
#19
  • Aug 3, 2004
  • #19
ronaldriske said:
I dont care! I'm running 4.30's and love them. Of course the way I judge mods are by how much they help me destroy tires, and 4.30's have been the best mod so far!
Click to expand...

Yep. I'm going 4.30 as soon as I've got another car to make the 80 mile round trip for work everyday or I get the chance to move closer to work.
 
B

billyfe390

New Member
Aug 18, 2003
573
0
0
Aug 3, 2004
#20
  • Aug 3, 2004
  • #20
GoBabyVroommm said:
Well 390 vs 373/410 you have to customize to get in and work. Most shop don't even know how to install a simple Ford Racing gear let a lone a 390.

I'm gettin a 390 as my next gear but its going to come with the 9inch i order. My friend talked me out of gettin the 390 just because of the fact its not a easy bolt-on.
Click to expand...
What in the world are you talking about.
 
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