Gears??
 

i want to get gears for my 87 5.0 now what would u recomend?? gear ratio wise and what is the stock gear ratio if anyone knows
ryan

We need more info to give you a better idea of a good gear set for you.

like is it a auto or manual?
Do you do much highway driving?
What do you plan to do with it? race mostly or daily driver mostly?

i have a five speed and i drive the highway alot i just want my car to be lil bit faster but i dont want it to not have any top end at all! so if u could get me a gear that is pretty balanced and good for daily driving would appreciate it lots
ryan

I have a T-5 (five speed) as well and also do quite a bit of highway driving.
I have 3.73's and they are a great all around gear (highway/city).
Also, top end is still over 140mph, altough driving a fox stang at that speed or higher is scary and dangerous.

i have 3:73s and i love them. they are the perfect gear for around town and the highway but im not on the highway that much.

3:55s would also be a good choice for how much you say your on the highway and they still should do good.

I went with a semi-conservative 3.55. They were great. 3.73s are a little much if you do a lot of highways (in my personal opinion...)

If you get 3.55s or 3.73s you will feel a substantial difference from what you have now either way.

Thanks,
DoranW

yah 3.55's would be good on the highway too, but i've heard nothing but disapointment about the low end acceleration from people who went with 3.55's

just to give you an idea of highway RPM, I cruise normally about 80mph and RPM's are right at 2700. Couldn't tell ya what 60mph RPM because I dont normally go 60, but I think its around 23-2400.


back to your original post, you've most likely got 2.73's from the factory

killa:

Stock Mustang rear gears are 2.73 ratio...3.08 was optional.

I have 3.55's (converted from 3.08) and I felt a big difference.
Better low end and it's still eager for more at high speeds. I cruise at 2200 RPM @ 65 mph. With 3.08's, it was 1800 RPM @ 65 mph. No big deal.

The conventional wisdom always says '3.73' and they will give you the maximum acceleration benefit but for all around street driving as you describe, I suggest the 3.55's.

My vote is for 3.55's. I had 3.73's in the car and I like the 3.55's better for daily driving. Still has great acceleration. If I was drag racing every week I would choose the 3.73's.

I love my 3.73's. I think they are the perfect gear. I don't do alot of 65+ mph driving though. I spend most of my time between 40 and 60 mph. And for that the 3.73's are great.

Eitherway 3.55's would do wonders over the stock 2.73's. I can't believe Ford even used 2.73's, they are horrible!

Gear ratio choices
 

FYI:

Ford used the 2.73 ratio to help fuel economy on the 5.0 (CAFE standards a big factor here) and to hold down strain on the engine/drivetrain for warranty purposes. An extra 500 RPM over 50,000 miles will make a difference in engine wear; not much, but just enough to cost Ford some warranty-work money that they wished to avoid.

Typical manufacturer hedges - which is why there is an aftermarket.

Either 3.55 or 3.73 are what your going to have recommended to you. either one would give you better performance.

if you going to do some drag racing at the track then go with 3.73's but if all you want is good street performnace and won't go to the track much if any at all then go with 3.55's.

hmmmm well i dont do much highway driving but i love those 4.10's.........it seemes like someone put in a 50 shot of nitrous

well i think i am gonna go with the 3.55's...just cuz i know im gonna be driving highway alot pretty much what idrive on most!!
thanks alot
ryan

3:73's