what ratio is best?
 

I'm looking to put a new gear in and I cant decide whether to get a 3.73, or a 4.10. I've heard the 3.73 is great in the 5.0"s, but I'm willing to sacrice for the extra umph from a 4.10. What do you guys think, is 4.10 too much? All i have done is a cold-air intake, off-road h, flo's, and underdrive pulleys.

Well, of course it's up to you. It all depends on what you do with the car. I chose 3.73's because I travel sometimes and highway driving at 2900 RPM's just isn't fun. But if it's not a daily driver, or if you don't do a lot of highway driving, then go for the 4.10's. Don't expect to actually use first gear for more than half a second though. The amount of mods to your car doesn't really affect the decision for what gear ratio. The plan for the car in the longrun should be the deciding factor. If you're building a car mainly for straight line racing, then the lower gear (higher numerically) is better for you. Even completely stock cars will see the benefits of gears. Another thing you may want to consider is that not too long ago they started making a 3.90 gear ratio for the 8.8 rear ends too. That's a great thing if you can't decide between 3.73's and 4.10's.

Dave

Gearz
 

I'd go with the 3.73s if you only have 3.73s and 4.10s to choose from...I've got 3.55s I like em still gives you top speed but gives off the line "power" as well.
Remember drop tops are heavy so don't expect to be as fast as the guy next to you with the same mods say in a coupe or hatch.


take it easy

Big Bopper.

Gears, gears, gears
 

I agree that 3.73 is a good all-around gear ratio for a (heavier) ragtop 5.0., assuming you have a 5-speed.

4.10's are better for the sluggish, higher-geared AOD.

I find that 3.55's (what I have) are great for a lighter, 5-speed LX hatch like mine that's a daily driver with 3.73's the maximum gear for a (daily driver) 5-speed.

I do drive my car everyday, but just for very short distances. I rarely drive on the interstate. I really dont care about gas milage either. So should I just go with the 4.10?

Oh, I forgot to tell you I have an AOD transmission.

i would go with the 4.10s then

With the aod trans and a drop top I would go with the 4.10s not only because of the trans but the weight of the car

I already asked all of these questions and I got 4.10's sitting here in the house ready to be installed so that should pretty much answer your question;) I have the same, a ragtop with an AOD tranny.

Later James

Thanks for your help guys. I'm definately going with the 4.10's now.

I have a 91gt hatch with an aod should i get 4.10s or 3.73 i was thinkg the 3.73 but u guys dais its better to have 4.10 with aod

I think it depends on your goals
 

I have found that the 3.73's in my car are just about perfect for 1/4 mile use. I have a Paxton Novi 2000 sitting in my garage waiting to install. when I get it done, along with some other mods, I am hoping to trap at approx 120-122 mph in the 1/4 mile. Using a 26" ET street with 3.73's will go approx 125 mph at 6,000 rpm's in 3rd gear with an AOD not factoring torque converter slippage with a non lock up converter. I do not recommend shifting into O/D at full throttle, ( I have already twisted 1 hardened input shaft). So basically, like everyone else said, it depends on what your intentions are going to be for the car. If you are building your car for fun with the occasional trip to the dragstrip and you keep your car naturally aspirated, then go with the 4.10's or even 4.30's with an AOD and convertible. If you like to get into triple digit speeds on the freeway late at night (not that any of us here do that............) then you might want to consider 3.73's or even 3.55's. I know a guy with a '90 conv. 5.0 with an AOD and 3.55's with a Vortech on it and believe me, it has a hard time getting traction and will hold you back in the seat from a dead stop up to over 100 mph (what a rush that was)!
Good luck deciding!
Adam