Convertible GT gear recommendations

90'5.0 Conv · 08-26-2001, 07:45 PM

My 90 convertible GT is pretty heavy. I ran a 10.36 in the 1/8 which converts into a low 16 on the conversion chart. Considering I drive an auto, wouldn't I be able to make up some time in the 1/4. An auto with 2.73 gears doesn't exactly shoot off the line if you know what I mean. I just feel like I,m always chasing people down in the end, feel like I just need more track. What would be the ultimate gear ratio to run with this car. Only mods consist of gutted cats and flows and 14 degree timing setting.

lx mike · 08-26-2001, 07:53 PM

my buddy has an aod and he has 4.10 and he says they are just what an aod needs. a heavy convertible gt on top of that almost begs for 4.10 for any kind of track duty.

------------------
93-LX: 5 Speed, Flow's with H-Pipe, 3.73's, C&L 76MM Kit, Sub's and K&N.
14.722@ 98.24

Super_Stang · 08-26-2001, 08:53 PM

4.10's

90'5.0 Conv · 08-27-2001, 05:31 PM

Any other ideas. What kind of improvement could you expect going from 2.73 to 4.10 in the 1/8th?

RED92LX50 · 08-27-2001, 06:08 PM

This topic seems to come up quite often...I have read many message boards over the past few years and it seems like the concensus is:
AUTO: 4.10
STICK: 3.73
Sure this is a generalization, and YOU need to decide exactly what you want out of your car...but this seems to be the way 90% of people vote for a mostly stock street/strip car.

It is another question alltogether if you are talking just strip, road racing, daily driver (rain/snow), and add to that your mods - blower, heads, etc.

90'5.0 Conv · 08-27-2001, 06:13 PM

Time improvements?

RED92LX50 · 08-27-2001, 08:18 PM

As far as time improvements, if you are using slicks and can get all of your power to the ground without spinning you may pick up a few tenths...but some actually LOSE time based on the extra shift before crossing the line. From a street perspective, it will FEEL faster, as the car is in the powerband more often. I guess if you want specifics, you would need to check with someone with a nearly identical setup as yours, and see what they found with the gear swap. Unfortunately, I still have 3.08's in mine - and will put in 3.73's when $'s (OK, Wife) allows.

91GTturbo · 08-28-2001, 08:33 PM

My first mustang was a 91 GT with an AOD. Best run stock was 10.31 (1/8). Installed K&N, electric fan, fuel pump and MSD. I improved to a 9.91 with the 2.73 gear. Switched to 3.73 and dropped to a 9.62. Just to throw in a little extra, with the car on a 75 shot then went 9.2xs on radial tires. I switched to as set of McCrearys (G60s) and a 150 shot and the car dropped to 8.09. But as far as the original question I dropped 3 tenths with gears. I later rode in an AOD with a 4.30 and wished I had either went with them or the 4.10.

Chevyguy · 08-28-2001, 08:39 PM

yeah everyone on this board seems to want 4.1 or higher gears, maybe 3.73 for 5 speed cars. That is great for track use and driving around town. For a stock motor the 4.10's may be a bit much since the motor does not really breathe too much at higher rpm's I know if I switch from my 2.73 to 3.73 it will kill my highway mileage, I drive my Mustang 80 miles a day or more, so I plan to go for 3.27 or 3.55 gears when I replace the Trac Loc dics's in my 8.8. I could probably live with 3.08's but the 2.73's are just too damm tall for the 302, and it would be pretty stupid to do all the work to swap to just 3.08's
All depends on what you want to do with the car, that's why they make so many different ratio's

------------------
Frank W
90 5.0 LX coupe Daily driver. Silencer removed, K&N filter. Flexalite fan, 3 core radiator. FMS flywheel and Clutch, FMS blue wires Energy Suspension end links
88 Notch 2.3L 5 speed Parts/beater car My two Notchbacks

74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3 305 Finally fixed getting a 454 to put in garage
<A HREF="http://www.chevellepages.com/folingo" TARGET=_blank>www.chevellepages.

08-26-2001, 07:45 PM	#1
90'5.0 Conv Long time member in and out Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Albany, Ga Posts: 343	Convertible GT gear recommendations My 90 convertible GT is pretty heavy. I ran a 10.36 in the 1/8 which converts into a low 16 on the conversion chart. Considering I drive an auto, wouldn't I be able to make up some time in the 1/4. An auto with 2.73 gears doesn't exactly shoot off the line if you know what I mean. I just feel like I,m always chasing people down in the end, feel like I just need more track. What would be the ultimate gear ratio to run with this car. Only mods consist of gutted cats and flows and 14 degree timing setting.

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08-26-2001, 07:53 PM	#2
lx mike Undescribable Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Ft Myers Fla Posts: 1,539	my buddy has an aod and he has 4.10 and he says they are just what an aod needs. a heavy convertible gt on top of that almost begs for 4.10 for any kind of track duty. ------------------ 93-LX: 5 Speed, Flow's with H-Pipe, 3.73's, C&L 76MM Kit, Sub's and K&N. 14.722@ 98.24

08-26-2001, 08:53 PM	#3
Super_Stang Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Refugio Posts: 67	4.10's

08-27-2001, 05:31 PM	#4
90'5.0 Conv Long time member in and out Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Albany, Ga Posts: 343	Any other ideas. What kind of improvement could you expect going from 2.73 to 4.10 in the 1/8th?

08-27-2001, 06:08 PM	#5
RED92LX50 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 220	This topic seems to come up quite often...I have read many message boards over the past few years and it seems like the concensus is: AUTO: 4.10 STICK: 3.73 Sure this is a generalization, and YOU need to decide exactly what you want out of your car...but this seems to be the way 90% of people vote for a mostly stock street/strip car. It is another question alltogether if you are talking just strip, road racing, daily driver (rain/snow), and add to that your mods - blower, heads, etc.

08-27-2001, 06:13 PM	#6
90'5.0 Conv Long time member in and out Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Albany, Ga Posts: 343	Time improvements?

08-27-2001, 08:18 PM	#7
RED92LX50 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 220	As far as time improvements, if you are using slicks and can get all of your power to the ground without spinning you may pick up a few tenths...but some actually LOSE time based on the extra shift before crossing the line. From a street perspective, it will FEEL faster, as the car is in the powerband more often. I guess if you want specifics, you would need to check with someone with a nearly identical setup as yours, and see what they found with the gear swap. Unfortunately, I still have 3.08's in mine - and will put in 3.73's when $'s (OK, Wife) allows.

08-28-2001, 08:33 PM	#8
91GTturbo Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Valdese, NC Posts: 361	My first mustang was a 91 GT with an AOD. Best run stock was 10.31 (1/8). Installed K&N, electric fan, fuel pump and MSD. I improved to a 9.91 with the 2.73 gear. Switched to 3.73 and dropped to a 9.62. Just to throw in a little extra, with the car on a 75 shot then went 9.2xs on radial tires. I switched to as set of McCrearys (G60s) and a 150 shot and the car dropped to 8.09. But as far as the original question I dropped 3 tenths with gears. I later rode in an AOD with a 4.30 and wished I had either went with them or the 4.10.

08-28-2001, 08:39 PM	#9
Chevyguy Backyard Mechanic/Chemist Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Acton MA USA Posts: 435	yeah everyone on this board seems to want 4.1 or higher gears, maybe 3.73 for 5 speed cars. That is great for track use and driving around town. For a stock motor the 4.10's may be a bit much since the motor does not really breathe too much at higher rpm's I know if I switch from my 2.73 to 3.73 it will kill my highway mileage, I drive my Mustang 80 miles a day or more, so I plan to go for 3.27 or 3.55 gears when I replace the Trac Loc dics's in my 8.8. I could probably live with 3.08's but the 2.73's are just too damm tall for the 302, and it would be pretty stupid to do all the work to swap to just 3.08's All depends on what you want to do with the car, that's why they make so many different ratio's ------------------ Frank W 90 5.0 LX coupe Daily driver. Silencer removed, K&N filter. Flexalite fan, 3 core radiator. FMS flywheel and Clutch, FMS blue wires Energy Suspension end links 88 Notch 2.3L 5 speed Parts/beater car My two Notchbacks 74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3 305 Finally fixed getting a 454 to put in garage <A HREF="http://www.chevellepages.com/folingo" TARGET=_blank>www.chevellepages.