3.55 or 3.73?

wgp2002 · 10-01-2002, 09:02 AM

which one gives me the most power gain without sacrificing gas mileage. I have a 5 speed

95mustanggt · 10-01-2002, 09:14 AM

Neither are going to give you a "power gain".

But a 3.73 gear being steeper with put you in your power band faster and feel much more torquey and powerfull. The difference in fuel between 3.55's and 3.73's in hardly worth mentioning, IMO.

3.73's are perfect for a 5 speed car. That's what I have

.

Dark_5.0 · 10-01-2002, 09:58 AM

If you are worried about 1/4 mile times the 3.55 gears suck for the 1/4 mile they will have you hitting 4th gear right as you are crossing the line and it will kill your ET. 3.73's are a better all around gear for drag racing.

IMO,

WADS56 · 10-01-2002, 10:07 AM

You should be thinking about 3.73 vs 4.10. and a simple solution to that is the new 3.90's that are out now

Harry · 10-01-2002, 10:10 AM

Hey there,

I just had 3.55s installed in my mustang. I also have a 5-speed. I like them, but it still seems strange cruising around town at 45 MPH in fifth gear!

The 3.55s will get better gas milage than the 3.73s, but it will be a very small difference. It all depends on what you are planning on doing with your car. If you plan on doing alot of highway driving, I would stick with the 3.55s. Although I don't think I will be driving mine on the highway much now, it just tacks too high for me at 70MPH with the new gears. 3.73s would be worse.

As stated above, the 3.73s will put you in your power band much faster, and you mustang will be quicker with the 3.73s than the 3.55. But for a daily driver, I would just stick with the 3.55s.

Let us know which way you go!

Harry

TwiLighTBluEGT · 10-01-2002, 10:49 AM

I would go with 3.73's. I have them in my AOD and they are great.

10-01-2002, 07:34 PM

There is not much difference between 3.55 & 3.73 gears. 3.73s got my vote. I wish they had the 3.90s back when I changed my rear gears. And believe me, 3.55s do not tach high on the freeway. Maybe 3,000rpms at 70mph. Probably even lower, which is not high, at all. Ford still puts out 3.27, 3.55 & 3.73 in many of their production vehicles and trucks.

lx mike · 10-01-2002, 08:26 PM

I have 3.73 and at 70 mph on highway i am taching 2300 and get about 22-23 mpg. Skyman has 3.73 and he gets the same and he has a cam and heads setup so it's b.s that 3.73 kill your mileage. at 2300 i am running about 70 and at 3000 i run 90 mph.

429mustang · 10-01-2002, 09:43 PM

Who make the 3.90's?

Go with either 3.73's or 3.90's

95mustanggt · 10-02-2002, 09:00 AM

I get better mileage in town with my 3.73's than I did with my 2.73's. Of course my 2.73's got way better highway mileage. But 2.73's suck.

Fox Hound · 10-02-2002, 10:47 AM

I have 3.55...I wish I went with 3.73...

Superpromustang · 10-02-2002, 01:22 PM

My 88 ran must faster with 3.55's than it did with 4.10's, but the shifting right at the finish line is true with the 3.55's, but I would definitely go with 3.73 over 3.55 if your going to drag it, but for the street I would run 3.27's, the 3.27's ran faster on street tires than the 4.10's and the 3.55's, let us know what you decide to go with

Kenny

88coupe · 10-02-2002, 04:52 PM

I'd go with 3.73 but I would also look into the new 3.90's also... I would like to try them out! I took off .5 sec in the quarter by switching from 2.73 to 3.73! 2.73's sure were fun on the highway though!

gofastmercury · 10-02-2002, 11:51 PM

When I went from 3.08's to 3.55's, My milage went up. don't know why but it did. ( Yes I changed the speedo gears) But I wish I went with 3.73's. It still fells like too tall a gear most the time.

wgp2002 · 10-08-2002, 07:31 AM

where can i order 3.90's at?

5000cc · 10-08-2002, 11:19 AM

Just go for 4.10 baby! I had 3.55 and 3.73 before, forget about 3.55 when you compare to 3.73 and forget about 3.73 when you compare to 4.10. It is alot more fun with 4.10, highway driving ? no problem just a few hundreds more RPM on the tach, no big deal !!! No more drop to fourth to pass somebody on the highway with 4.10 you just step on it and swooshhh!!

289 · 10-08-2002, 11:29 AM

Doh they make 3.90's I just put 3.73's in my stang. I would have to agree the difference between 3.55's and 3.73's would be very little, but at the track you would be just hitting 4th at the end of the 1/4. 3.73's would have you well in 4th

ImportKiller · 10-09-2002, 11:11 AM

3.90's?!! Hey i want those. I have whatever came stock with the 89 LX, i think there 3.08's but i could be wrong

Who builds the 3.90's?

lx5091 · 10-09-2002, 11:22 AM

Put in 4.56's and a viper T56 with the .50 6th gear! Awesome highway mileage and a nasty whiplash off the line!

10-01-2002, 09:02 AM	#1
wgp2002 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 18	3.55 or 3.73? which one gives me the most power gain without sacrificing gas mileage. I have a 5 speed

10-01-2002, 09:14 AM	#2
95mustanggt Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Kamloops, BC Posts: 2,875	Neither are going to give you a "power gain". But a 3.73 gear being steeper with put you in your power band faster and feel much more torquey and powerfull. The difference in fuel between 3.55's and 3.73's in hardly worth mentioning, IMO. 3.73's are perfect for a 5 speed car. That's what I have . __________________ 1995 Mustang GT 20016 F150 Lariat Super Crew

10-01-2002, 10:07 AM	#4
WADS56 gear banger Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: CHICAGO Posts: 1,144	You should be thinking about 3.73 vs 4.10. and a simple solution to that is the new 3.90's that are out now __________________ 79 Hatch: NA 347, Stage 2 Canfield Heads, Victor JR. Intake, Blueprinted Holley 750 HP, Solid Roller Cam, Shooting for 10's on motor 93 LX: Tremec, dual friction clutch, fms flywheel, Hedman shorties, O/R H-pipe Ricer hater's club member #49

10-01-2002, 10:10 AM	#5
Harry Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Dayton, OH USA Posts: 678	Hey there, I just had 3.55s installed in my mustang. I also have a 5-speed. I like them, but it still seems strange cruising around town at 45 MPH in fifth gear! The 3.55s will get better gas milage than the 3.73s, but it will be a very small difference. It all depends on what you are planning on doing with your car. If you plan on doing alot of highway driving, I would stick with the 3.55s. Although I don't think I will be driving mine on the highway much now, it just tacks too high for me at 70MPH with the new gears. 3.73s would be worse. As stated above, the 3.73s will put you in your power band much faster, and you mustang will be quicker with the 3.73s than the 3.55. But for a daily driver, I would just stick with the 3.55s. Let us know which way you go! Harry __________________ 1985 Mustang GT 2002 F-150

10-01-2002, 07:34 PM	#7
Simi Stang Guest Posts: n/a	3.55 or 3.73? There is not much difference between 3.55 & 3.73 gears. 3.73s got my vote. I wish they had the 3.90s back when I changed my rear gears. And believe me, 3.55s do not tach high on the freeway. Maybe 3,000rpms at 70mph. Probably even lower, which is not high, at all. Ford still puts out 3.27, 3.55 & 3.73 in many of their production vehicles and trucks.

10-01-2002, 09:58 AM	#3
Dark_5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Staging lane Posts: 4,337	If you are worried about 1/4 mile times the 3.55 gears suck for the 1/4 mile they will have you hitting 4th gear right as you are crossing the line and it will kill your ET. 3.73's are a better all around gear for drag racing. IMO,

10-01-2002, 10:49 AM	#6
TwiLighTBluEGT Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 157	I would go with 3.73's. I have them in my AOD and they are great.

10-01-2002, 08:26 PM	#8
lx mike Undescribable Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Ft Myers Fla Posts: 1,539	I have 3.73 and at 70 mph on highway i am taching 2300 and get about 22-23 mpg. Skyman has 3.73 and he gets the same and he has a cam and heads setup so it's b.s that 3.73 kill your mileage. at 2300 i am running about 70 and at 3000 i run 90 mph. __________________ Rice Haters Club Member #101

10-01-2002, 09:43 PM	#9
429mustang Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: westerville, OH USA Posts: 618	Who make the 3.90's? Go with either 3.73's or 3.90's __________________ 1990 Notchback: BBK Ceramic Coated Full length headers, Dr. Gas 3"- 2 1/2" x-pipe, Flowmaster 40's/turndowns.

10-02-2002, 09:00 AM	#10
95mustanggt Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Kamloops, BC Posts: 2,875	I get better mileage in town with my 3.73's than I did with my 2.73's. Of course my 2.73's got way better highway mileage. But 2.73's suck. __________________ 1995 Mustang GT 20016 F150 Lariat Super Crew

10-02-2002, 10:47 AM	#11
Fox Hound Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 58	I have 3.55...I wish I went with 3.73...

10-02-2002, 01:22 PM	#12
Superpromustang Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Carthage, MO Posts: 59	My 88 ran must faster with 3.55's than it did with 4.10's, but the shifting right at the finish line is true with the 3.55's, but I would definitely go with 3.73 over 3.55 if your going to drag it, but for the street I would run 3.27's, the 3.27's ran faster on street tires than the 4.10's and the 3.55's, let us know what you decide to go with Kenny

10-02-2002, 04:52 PM	#13
88coupe Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Norman, Oklahoma Posts: 64	I'd go with 3.73 but I would also look into the new 3.90's also... I would like to try them out! I took off .5 sec in the quarter by switching from 2.73 to 3.73! 2.73's sure were fun on the highway though! __________________ 88' Texas Highway Patrol. 5-Speed Conversion (FINALLY!) 97 Cobra Wheels, 3.73's, 2.5 H-Pipe (no cats), Spintech Pro Street Mufflers, 5 Lug Conversion (Moser 28 spline axles, FMS rotors), Hurst Billet Shifter and a Dirty K@N. 13.7@99.3

10-02-2002, 11:51 PM	#14
gofastmercury Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: calgary alberta canada Posts: 366	When I went from 3.08's to 3.55's, My milage went up. don't know why but it did. ( Yes I changed the speedo gears) But I wish I went with 3.73's. It still fells like too tall a gear most the time. __________________ 93LXcopcarSOLD14.3@96 @ 4500ft 2.02 60ft on street tires. my 67 ranchero NOT A 390 ANY MORE! 460! 3.70's cast manifolds, comp cams 262H, performer, 750DP 100K out of 79 F250 NEW(oct20/02)14.58@95mph 2.3 60 ft corrects to:13.86@100 66 merc comet351w, isky roller 600 lift 268/260@.050, vic jr. 700DP, 5000stall, 4.56's c-4, 3400lbs with driver 12.3@110 @ 4000ft 1.69 60 ft corrects to:11.69@115

10-08-2002, 07:31 AM	#15
wgp2002 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 18	where do i get 3.90's at where can i order 3.90's at?

10-08-2002, 11:19 AM	#16
5000cc Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Hialeah,Fl,USA Posts: 57	gears Just go for 4.10 baby! I had 3.55 and 3.73 before, forget about 3.55 when you compare to 3.73 and forget about 3.73 when you compare to 4.10. It is alot more fun with 4.10, highway driving ? no problem just a few hundreds more RPM on the tach, no big deal !!! No more drop to fourth to pass somebody on the highway with 4.10 you just step on it and swooshhh!! __________________ 93 Lx coupe,125 shots wet system,BBK headers,pully,ported performer intake,24 lbs,short belt,Headman x pipe,mac catback,upr blue thunder shifter,73 mm mass air,k&n panel filter,king cobra cluth, aluminum driveshaft, 4.10 gears, cobra tranny, welds 15/6 on front and 15/10 rear.

10-08-2002, 11:29 AM	#17
289 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Mount Joy, PA , U.S. Posts: 198	Doh they make 3.90's I just put 3.73's in my stang. I would have to agree the difference between 3.55's and 3.73's would be very little, but at the track you would be just hitting 4th at the end of the 1/4. 3.73's would have you well in 4th

10-09-2002, 11:11 AM	#18
ImportKiller Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chula vista, CA Posts: 67	3.90's?!! Hey i want those. I have whatever came stock with the 89 LX, i think there 3.08's but i could be wrong Who builds the 3.90's? __________________ "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine." http://geocities.com/team340maxim 1989 Mustang LX 5.0 JBA Headers, Bassani X-Pipe Mac 3' Catback system.

10-09-2002, 11:22 AM	#19
lx5091 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fall River, MA Posts: 467	Put in 4.56's and a viper T56 with the .50 6th gear! Awesome highway mileage and a nasty whiplash off the line! __________________ '02 Explorer XLT 4.0L --Nice Vehicle '97 Saturn SL1--Soon to be ditched for a Ford!

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