3.27 or 3.55?

Scappoose · 01-03-2002, 07:16 PM

Which to go with? I have the stock 2.73s and I'd like a little more kick, but I'm still driving this car 60-70 miles a day, so gas mileage is a concern. I won't be drag racing (except when those imports try to pass me on the right), but as I make a few mods I plan to do some autocrossing. Is there a noticeable gas mileage or performance difference between the two? Thanks.

Coupe5oh · 01-03-2002, 08:07 PM

i went from 3.08 to 3.27, notice a very little difference in mileage or performance, but i didnt want 3.73 at the time, i like to cruise around 80 mph and stay under 2500, but on the strip id like some 3.55-4.10's.....oh well.

Fox Body · 01-03-2002, 08:29 PM

Scappoose, 5-speed or 4 speed? If you have a T5, go with the 3.55s.

Scappoose · 01-03-2002, 08:32 PM

Sorry. 5-speed. And for now, other than cold-air induction, bone stock.

Blownpony91 · 01-03-2002, 08:40 PM

When my car was pretty much stock i went with the 3.55's and i love them. i have an aod, and i spend alot of time on the roads everyday and the gas mileage isnt that bad.
id go with the 3.55's

lx mike · 01-03-2002, 09:45 PM

go with the 3.55's and don't worry about your mileage dropping. I have 3.73's and i get 25 m.p.g at 70-75 m.p.h.

NO SLO PK · 01-04-2002, 11:39 AM

I have 3.27s. As said above, they're great for freeway crusiing at 80+. At the strip, you'll wish you had 3.55s or stronger. I guess it depends on how much time you'll be at the track. I'd make a selection based on where you'll be spending the most time...street or track.

Scappoose · 01-04-2002, 11:51 AM

Not too much occasion to go 80+, or even 70+. 70 is about max on I-5. Too many cops around Portland/Salem/Eugene. And they pull you over in a second. At least they do me.
3.55's sound like the way to go. Thanks for all the input.

MustangDanny · 01-04-2002, 01:18 PM

3.73's are not too bad. I would go with them. You won't be dissapointed.

gtsr515 · 01-04-2002, 03:31 PM

I've had every 8.8 gear from 4.30's down and i can tell you that 3.55's are the worst draggin gear, go with 3.73's

Umoplata · 01-05-2002, 03:33 PM

3.73's all the way baby!

8850 · 01-05-2002, 06:12 PM

My 3.27 gear is not too bad at the track! 1.394 60', 10.324 et...

Really it depends on what you want to do and how you are set up. For your particular application I would stay with the 2.73. If you are not going race anybody from zero why change gears? From a roll the 2.73 will be just as good as a 3.73, maybe better depending on speed.

One concern is your clutch. It will last longer with a lower gear. Takes less slippage to get you moving the lower the gear. A 3.55 or even 3.73 would be a good street/track compromise if you planned to race at the track.

89 ATI · 01-05-2002, 07:26 PM

I have had 3.73's and the 3.55's in my car. For driving on the street, 3.55's are the way to go.

Chevyguy · 01-06-2002, 11:51 PM

My 2.73 are just sooo tall, sometimes I have to downshift to 4th on the highway cus 5th is geared to about 250 mph at 6000 rpms.

3.73's will certianly hurt your highway mileage compared to the 2.73's no matter what the other guys say. For a mostly stock motor going higher than 3.55 with a T-5 may slow you down since the motor would run out of breath at the end of the 1/4 mile. If you have a intake swap this will greatly improve the high rpm breathing and make the 3.73 or 4.10 more usefull

01-03-2002, 07:16 PM	#1
Scappoose Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Scappoose, OR Posts: 42	3.27 or 3.55? Which to go with? I have the stock 2.73s and I'd like a little more kick, but I'm still driving this car 60-70 miles a day, so gas mileage is a concern. I won't be drag racing (except when those imports try to pass me on the right), but as I make a few mods I plan to do some autocrossing. Is there a noticeable gas mileage or performance difference between the two? Thanks. __________________ 91 GT - White, MAC cold air induction (that's it so far) 69 GT - Winter Blue, 351, C-4, mild mods 69 Mach I - Acapulco Blue, 351, T-10, bone stock

01-03-2002, 08:07 PM	#2
Coupe5oh Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SanAntonio, Tx Posts: 734	i went from 3.08 to 3.27, notice a very little difference in mileage or performance, but i didnt want 3.73 at the time, i like to cruise around 80 mph and stay under 2500, but on the strip id like some 3.55-4.10's.....oh well. __________________ Police package 5spd 90 Lx, Stock original motor, 3.27grs, BM fan, fms 10.5 clutch, D&D quadrant, and adjuster, ADS chip, 180 stat, mac cai, mac h-pipe, mac subframe connectors, ASP crank pulley, ripper shifter, 26x10.5 M/T sport pros welds. 246 hp according to analyzer Race weight: 3,120 E.t-13.57 with 26x10.50's e.t. streets. 1.88 60' mph- 99.92 mph

01-03-2002, 08:29 PM	#3
Fox Body Mustang Maniac Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: GA, U.S.A Posts: 2,266	Scappoose, 5-speed or 4 speed? If you have a T5, go with the 3.55s. __________________ 351W-powered 1979 Ford Mustang Ghia notchback '79 Video @ Idle Stock 5.8L under 4" cowl 'glass hood, C4 w/ Transgo shift kit, Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake; Fluidyne Al radiator, Flexalite 175 electric fan, 1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, FRPP Al driveshaft; S&W 6-point cage; 2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters, 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s; Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 275/50/15 Nitto NT 555R Drag Radials; 14 x 4” K&N X-stream air filter. '92 GT (5-speed) Small In Car Video Stock 5.0L, 2-chamber Flowmasters, MAC CAI, Tri-Ax, Al pedals... "Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

01-03-2002, 08:32 PM	#4
Scappoose Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Scappoose, OR Posts: 42	Sorry. 5-speed. And for now, other than cold-air induction, bone stock. __________________ 91 GT - White, MAC cold air induction (that's it so far) 69 GT - Winter Blue, 351, C-4, mild mods 69 Mach I - Acapulco Blue, 351, T-10, bone stock

01-03-2002, 09:45 PM	#6
lx mike Undescribable Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Ft Myers Fla Posts: 1,539	go with the 3.55's and don't worry about your mileage dropping. I have 3.73's and i get 25 m.p.g at 70-75 m.p.h. __________________ Rice Haters Club Member #101

01-03-2002, 08:40 PM	#5
Blownpony91 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: balto., Md United States Posts: 32	When my car was pretty much stock i went with the 3.55's and i love them. i have an aod, and i spend alot of time on the roads everyday and the gas mileage isnt that bad. id go with the 3.55's

01-04-2002, 11:39 AM	#7
NO SLO PK Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Arcadia, CA, USA Posts: 731	I have 3.27s. As said above, they're great for freeway crusiing at 80+. At the strip, you'll wish you had 3.55s or stronger. I guess it depends on how much time you'll be at the track. I'd make a selection based on where you'll be spending the most time...street or track. __________________ Russ L '91 LX - 331 w/ Procharger '03 Cobra Convertible - Pullied '94 Lightning '65 Mustang Coupe

01-04-2002, 11:51 AM	#8
Scappoose Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Scappoose, OR Posts: 42	Not too much occasion to go 80+, or even 70+. 70 is about max on I-5. Too many cops around Portland/Salem/Eugene. And they pull you over in a second. At least they do me. 3.55's sound like the way to go. Thanks for all the input. __________________ 91 GT - White, MAC cold air induction (that's it so far) 69 GT - Winter Blue, 351, C-4, mild mods 69 Mach I - Acapulco Blue, 351, T-10, bone stock

01-04-2002, 01:18 PM	#9
MustangDanny Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 70	3.73's are not too bad. I would go with them. You won't be dissapointed. __________________ -- -1991 LX 5.0 Sedan, 5 spd (new 'Z' tranny), 3.73, aluminum DS, Hedman headers, 190 LPH, MAC CAI, Flowmaster catback. (170K miles on motor) Best ET: 14.434 @ 96.04 MPH - 2.205 60' (Radials) My Notch

01-04-2002, 03:31 PM	#10
gtsr515 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Sunny, Hot, Sebring, Florida Posts: 725	I've had every 8.8 gear from 4.30's down and i can tell you that 3.55's are the worst draggin gear, go with 3.73's __________________ Remember...2nd place is 1st place for losers!

01-05-2002, 03:33 PM	#11
Umoplata Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 30	3.73's all the way baby! __________________ "Viva para lutar, lute para viver"

01-05-2002, 06:12 PM	#12
8850 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Sugarland, TX USA Posts: 161	My 3.27 gear is not too bad at the track! 1.394 60', 10.324 et... Really it depends on what you want to do and how you are set up. For your particular application I would stay with the 2.73. If you are not going race anybody from zero why change gears? From a roll the 2.73 will be just as good as a 3.73, maybe better depending on speed. One concern is your clutch. It will last longer with a lower gear. Takes less slippage to get you moving the lower the gear. A 3.55 or even 3.73 would be a good street/track compromise if you planned to race at the track. __________________ 88 347, Twisted wedge heads,Comp Cams 224/230 cam, 1/4=10.324 @ 126.95, 60' = 1.394 http://xs-fx.com/raughammer/larrysample.htm

01-05-2002, 07:26 PM	#13
89 ATI Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 120	I have had 3.73's and the 3.55's in my car. For driving on the street, 3.55's are the way to go. __________________ 89 GT convertible, Kenny Brown level 5, Edelbrock performer, AFR 165's, Comp cams XE270HR, C&L 76, 24# inj, Crane 1.7's, 70mm BBK throttle body 298.2 hp 328.2 tq Mustang dyno "Our lady of blessed acceleration don't fail me now" Elwood Blues

01-06-2002, 11:51 PM	#14
Chevyguy Backyard Mechanic/Chemist Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Acton MA USA Posts: 435	My 2.73 are just sooo tall, sometimes I have to downshift to 4th on the highway cus 5th is geared to about 250 mph at 6000 rpms. 3.73's will certianly hurt your highway mileage compared to the 2.73's no matter what the other guys say. For a mostly stock motor going higher than 3.55 with a T-5 may slow you down since the motor would run out of breath at the end of the 1/4 mile. If you have a intake swap this will greatly improve the high rpm breathing and make the 3.73 or 4.10 more usefull __________________ 2001 Crown Vic Maurader Airbox/MAF, DR chip Edel IAS shocks Single exhaust :wtf: 93 P-71 Vic interceptor Backup car now 90 5.0 LX Notch SOLD 74 Chevy Laguna type S-3 454 under construction Currently apart undergoing bodywork.

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