what ratio is best?

89droptop · 04-19-2002, 05:22 PM

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.

DRASTiK · 04-19-2002, 05:42 PM

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

Big Bopper · 04-19-2002, 05:47 PM

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.

1BAD89 · 04-19-2002, 06:40 PM

3:73's for an everyday driver. 5-speed that is.

Mr 5 0 · 04-19-2002, 07:26 PM

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.

89droptop · 04-19-2002, 07:29 PM

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?

89droptop · 04-19-2002, 07:30 PM

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

Tony Frank · 04-19-2002, 08:52 PM

i would go with the 4.10s then

explicitone · 04-19-2002, 09:16 PM

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

90'5.0 Conv · 04-19-2002, 09:20 PM

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

89droptop · 04-20-2002, 12:53 AM

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

5.0 · 04-20-2002, 12:05 PM

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

LfiveohX · 04-20-2002, 01:09 PM

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

04-19-2002, 05:22 PM	#1
89droptop Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kennesaw, Ga Posts: 26	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.

04-19-2002, 05:42 PM	#2
DRASTiK Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Yuma, AZ Posts: 536	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 __________________ Dave 88 GT - 13.4@106 on street tires (2.2 60ft) My Stang RHC member #75 My stang is FOR SALE!!

04-19-2002, 05:47 PM	#3
Big Bopper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Sechelt, B.C., Canada Posts: 200	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. __________________ 90' GT Drop-top, 88' 302,pulleys,full flowmasters (turndowns),Ported stock Intakes,twin flex-a-lites,Pro-5.0,3.55's,short belt,elctric water pump,timing bumped,taylor leads.(headers soon!)

04-19-2002, 06:40 PM	#4
1BAD89 Tubbed and Juiced Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,861	3:73's for an everyday driver. 5-speed that is. Last edited by 1BAD89; 04-19-2002 at 07:33 PM..

04-19-2002, 07:26 PM	#5
Mr 5 0 Conservative Individualist Join Date: May 1997 Location: Wherever I need to be Posts: 7,487	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.

04-19-2002, 07:29 PM	#6
89droptop Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kennesaw, Ga Posts: 26	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?

04-19-2002, 07:30 PM	#7
89droptop Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kennesaw, Ga Posts: 26	Oh, I forgot to tell you I have an AOD transmission.

04-19-2002, 08:52 PM	#8
Tony Frank Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Brooklyn originally, but Grand Rapids now Posts: 309	i would go with the 4.10s then __________________ Grand Valley State University Senior Accounting and Finance Major 1985 Mustang GT 19,000 ORIGINAL miles, E-303 cam, edelbrock performer RPM intake, holley 600 cfm carb, MAC headers, windage tray, 8.8 rear end with 4.10 gears, 4"cowl hood, 5lug conversion, 04 Mach1 wheels. http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?1501

04-19-2002, 09:16 PM	#9
explicitone Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: racine ,wi Posts: 691	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

04-19-2002, 09:20 PM	#10
90'5.0 Conv Long time member in and out Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Albany, Ga Posts: 343	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 __________________ 90' Mustang GT Convertible- C4 w/ manual body 4.10's soon to be 3.27's 2 Ch Flowmasters 1/8th ET 9.04

04-20-2002, 12:53 AM	#11
89droptop Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kennesaw, Ga Posts: 26	Thanks for your help guys. I'm definately going with the 4.10's now.

04-20-2002, 12:05 PM	#12
5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: detroit Posts: 7	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 __________________ Platnium Pony Performance 91WhiteGT

04-20-2002, 01:09 PM	#13
LfiveohX Addicted to the 5.0 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Oxnard, CA. USA Posts: 117	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 __________________ 1993 Conv. LX 5.0 - (sold) For Sale!!!! - Brand new Paxton Novi 2000 Kit for 86-93 Mustangs.

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