[Mustang92]

I wasn't going to say anything because I end up having to explain 100 times that my car is a street car not a drag only car but here goes. By the way I didn't rack up 73K miles in 2.5 years on my car by driving to the track only.

Anyone notice that the poeple on here recommending gears are all 96-98 GT or Cobra owners except for one? No offense you guys but you don't know what a 99-02 GT needs in the way of gearing, the car makes power differently than yours. The power band on a 96-98 GT falls off well before a PI headed car and that makes a big difference in gearing. In fact you basically fall in the same category as the 5.0 cars that make peak power at a lower RPM.

The most effiecient gear for a 99-02 NA GT is a 4.10, it gives you room to grow with bolt-ons and puts you through the traps right at your peak power without any negative effects. On the freeway at 80MPH you'll be right around 2900-2950 RPMs. If you think that's too high my dads stock explorer sits at 2900 RPMs at 80MPH. Top speed shouldn't be a concern either since with a 4.10s you'll acutally be able to use 5th gear and can still go over 160MPH if your motor makes enough power to push it that fast. MPG shouldn't be an issue either, with 4.10s I averaged 19-20MPG during my daily commute and as much as 27 MPG on long distance trips. With 4.30's I still get 19MPG and about 24-25MPG on long trips not bad for cruising at 80MPH (3100 RPM).

For arguements sake a 3.73 gear in our cars puts you through the traps below your power band in 4th gear slowing you down so without slicks you basically end up with no gain in ET only a little better 60 foot. The only reason in my book to go 3.73 in a 99-02 car is if you have future plans for a power adder. Even then there are ways around it like my car that will see a power adder in the next year or so, I'll keep my 4.30s and go to a 28" tall tire.

Bill