rear gear ratio

[edward miller]

I have a 1994 GT mustang with the original 5.0L, and would like to experiment with the rear end. I do not want to spend a lot of money doing it. Any suggestions?

[Coupe50h]

Depends on what your looking for, in a heavy car that would be dragracing on sticky tires i would go 4.10's, but I run a gear that is not in your poll which has my vote the 3.90, I find it optimum for my setup running on slicks.
For a highway cruiser i say 3.55's imo.

[USMC302]

Exactly, alot of consideration is put into what gears to choose from what your intent is with the car. 3.73 aren't so bad on the street IMO, but I run the 4.10's because I use slicks and see more track than street. eitherway, make sure you get a quality set of gears and I suggest having them professionally installed for proper shimming and backspacing, etc..

[StangFlyer]

During my 302 days I used a 3.73 gear set in my Mustang from lightly modded all the way up to heavily modified, and thought it did a great job overall. It's the middle ground between track and street. Once I built my supercharged 377 stroker though, I dropped down to a 3.55 because it makes so much more torque and the 3.55's are more suited to my powerband.

[Gearhead999]

3.55 unless it has OD then 3.73 or higher.

[skiwesser]

4.10's in an auto
3.73's in a 5-speed
IMHO

[~The Jester~]

I was running 4.30's with my 347/TKO and was SERIOUSLY considering stepping down to 4.56's!!!

"Don't fear the gear." But like everyone is telling you, it all depends on what the car is used for, trans, tire size, etc etc.

[Ieatcamaros]

With an AOD definitely go with the 4.10's. I have 4.10's in mine with the 5 speed and I get 12 mpg with that 750 holley atop the intake. I am thinking of making the switch to 4.30's or 4.56's. If you have a 5 speed, you may want to step down to 3.73's as first gear in a stock t5 is nearly useless for driving around town.

[andy669]

The 94 GT auto's had an AOD-E and a computer with a 5500rpm rev limiter. No way in hell would I put 4.10's in them. With a stock sized tire 95~97 mph in drive is all you are going to get. A 3.73 is a much better choice.

Andy

[goodyear1984]

355 or 373 5 speed.........410 auto...i would only get the ford racing gears they are machined very well and usally dont need to shim them ..get some new clutchs for them limited slip(when i do the clutchs i usally add an extra .15 shim so its tighter)...make sure u check the pinon depth/pattern and the lash(around .08 thou)
good luck...if u need some good instructions on installing them i can e-mail u some pointers

[DaLe five OH!]

3.73's for a AOD, thats what i'm runnin and i'm very happy with them so far

[88workcar]

Decide WHAT this car will be used for primarily. Stick to that, all your decisions will fall into place for you.

I love my 4.30s, And I got 23mpg with them. Light car, big tire, no accessories, polite driving on long trips. It can be done.

[exgmguy]

It sounds like you have a basically stock car. I would say 3.73's will make you happy for a long time.

[FatGuy_in_aLittleCar]

What gear ratio you choose depends on 2 things .. what are your intentions for the car and what size tire do you plan on running..stock tire height on a fox mustang is 25.6 inches ..every inch of tire height you add or subtract will change your ratio .22 - .25 .. put 4.10 gears in a car and add 2 inches of tire height and all of a sudden you are back to a 3.55

[The_Nightmare_347]

As much as I truly HATE the company and the personnel there, AMP Performance - just do NOT deal with Mikey there, as he is a real ass****. They make one of the top rear ends for 8.8 comp, mated to a tko 600 or 500 that is incredible. Make sure you go with the upgrade options for Baer Brakes - the PRO plus System - and the heavy duty rear cover. Beyond this, I can also suggest highly using Maximum Motorsports. They are fantastic to deal with, and I have their entire suspension system, and race cage, installed in my 89 LX. They have been nothing but pleasant to deal with, even over the phone, and their technical knowledge is outstanding. Best of luck.

P.S. - the rear end I went with built by AMP Performance was a 3.73 with locker, etc. - all the upgrades, except they screwed me not putting in the 5 stud and put in the 4 stud to spite me knowing they were not getting certain things out of me after and outside work. This rear is mated to a TKO 600 Tranny, and a Custom Built 347 based 302 Boss Block for forced induction, with a full MSD system, a Vortech Ysi Trim Supercharger, Anderson Power Pipe, Anderson PMS, Anderson Mr. Freeze H30/Methanol Injection System (for road use), a JPC Intercooler, a JPC Box and Pump/Snow System (for track use only), and the Aeromotive A-1000 Stealth System with Fuel Return. Those are just the main goodies to play with. I have not yet tried the 3.73 out, however, I know their products extremely well, and until now never had a problem with AMP or any of their personnel. You might say they thought they were winning a lottery at any costs, and got extremely larcenous and felonious with me, even $13,000 of parts stolen off several UPS trucks - anything without a MSO stolen by someone/somebody - then AMP refused to honor their original quotes and prices with me after being sent a $20,000 Cashier's Check. Guess the idea of ruling the world got in their heads somehow, lol, as if they ever would...