ok im stuck between getting FRPP 4.10 gears and the SCT Livewire custom tuner from American Muscle. dont have the money for both.
which would you guys prefer?
i like the tuner because it gives you estimates, more hp/tq, and sits in the windshield and looks badass.
i like the gears because it really pulls. i dont do any highway and like to race my friends.
id have to say this is the best question asked in a long time, at least for those of us who dont have a million dollars and are upgrading on a budget and over long term.
ive actually been thinking about this. i dont drive much highway and if i were to need to, it would most definitely be cause of my fiance and we would just take her car. im leaning for the gears cause its instantly noticeable and the comments ive read about guys who have done it have been amazing to read. im thinking im not going to do the tuner till i do my first major hp adder (stage 2 cams, heads, tb and plenum + something, things like that).
i think for now, its going to be the gears. since im staying n/a (at least for now i plan to) its gonna be 4.10's all the way.
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1997 GT Coupe. CAI and Flow 40' Duals w/ o/r x pipe, Spec Stage 1 Clutch, Spec Aluminum flyhwheel. SCT 93 Performance Tune, hurst short shifter. New AutoX Suspension on the way!! ......"other mods may not be known"
"You can put it off, but it's a matter of time till it fails and leaves you with the rubber-sole express......"
id have to say this is the best question asked in a long time, at least for those of us who dont have a million dollars and are upgrading on a budget and over long term.
this is asked a ton!
anyways i say tuner because with out one u cant change speedo gears
then 4.10s
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i have yet to find some one else who when changing their oil ( every 2000 miles or when they get bored ) details the under side of their car.
X-C April 2010,Heads, Cam,Internals April 2011, or blown engine, witch ever comes first.
The transformation has begun!
anyways i say tuner because with out one u cant change speedo gears
then 4.10s
you do make a valid point. a tuner is needed for that. and yeah it is i suppose, i just havent seen it asked in a while, and i happened to be thinking about it this week.
and before you ask or as your thinking to yourself "youve only been a member since this month" , ive been on this site for a long time, just only reistered when i was finally getting my mustang.
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1997 GT Coupe. CAI and Flow 40' Duals w/ o/r x pipe, Spec Stage 1 Clutch, Spec Aluminum flyhwheel. SCT 93 Performance Tune, hurst short shifter. New AutoX Suspension on the way!! ......"other mods may not be known"
"You can put it off, but it's a matter of time till it fails and leaves you with the rubber-sole express......"
you do make a valid point. a tuner is needed for that. and yeah it is i suppose, i just havent seen it asked in a while, and i happened to be thinking about it this week.
and before you ask or as your thinking to yourself "youve only been a member since this month" , ive been on this site for a long time, just only reistered when i was finally getting my mustang.
its ok lol
still more ppl ask "what muffler will sound the best " a ton more
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i have yet to find some one else who when changing their oil ( every 2000 miles or when they get bored ) details the under side of their car.
X-C April 2010,Heads, Cam,Internals April 2011, or blown engine, witch ever comes first.
The transformation has begun!
WELL as far as the tuner/gears question heres my 2 cents....
u DONT need the tuner for ur speedo to recalibrate... steeda sells a little plastic gear that goes in the transmission that is about 98% accurate on fixing the speed providing ur running stock tires... the stangs that were made BEFORE 99 have this gear (98 and earlier years) 99, YES you need a tuner...and both the OP and dick have cars that are pre 99 (yes i DO read signatures before i give advice on "their" car lol)
OK so my next point, a tuner ALSO doubles up as an OBD II scanner, a HP/TQ estimater, a 0-60 time and 1/4 estimater (if u dont have a track for any of this anywhere close by like i dont, this is a great feature to at least get a ballpark on ur 1/4 mile) ALSO the tuner can increase slight amounts of power just with the stock engine by telling it to run more fuel and air... and even 93 octane.... AND when u do modifications, you can add them to ur new tune cuz American Muscle gives u free custom tunes for life if u buy the tuner from them at least i know this is true of the SCT3 tuner... cuz i too am/was researching the same question...
the gears definitely give u a LOT more pull and the feel of the pants type deal, but for as handy as the tuner is, i vote go with the tuner....gears def. help put ur power to the ground, but i got gears first (cuz i can put them in myself and only cost 150 bucks ) but i think i want a tuner next more than anything...then i can start modding and have my car run right...
i vote tuner cuz of these cars' ability to be so plug n play friendly...
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"Its not about what you can BUY, its about what you can build" anyone can buy a really cool car, but u dont ever get the satisfaction from it as you would building it yourself 1994 Mustang GT 5.0/T5 Sold 1998 Mustang GT 4.6/T45 *soon 5.4 S/C* Flows cat-back, CAI, Ford Racing 3.73 gears, Torsen Diff, short throw shifter
I say tuner, you can check CEL codes and add some performance too. Also not to mention, as you add on performance parts, the tunes makes it all worth while Of course, gears will come in sooner or later
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2003 Mustang GT Fobra, Sonic Blue 4R70W 262rwhp/280rwtq - Mods in profile Vortech coming soon.....
Daily Driver 2001 Mustang V6, Oxford White 4R70W
Mods in profile
I guess it depends on if you're gonna do the gears yourself. I don't know how much one would pay for having the gears installed. I do know a lot of mechanics that don't like doing gears, because it's a PITA. I did my own, and...it ended up being one of those projects that just keeps growing in cost. I'm not a fan of half-assing things. So if I'm gonna tear my whole rear differential apart, I might as well beef up the axles too. I needed Moser 31 spline axles $
31 spline axles require a new carrier since stock was 28 splines, which required...31 spline differential $$ Why stick with the stock differential cover when you can get one that braces it? $$$
Then you'll need to buy the install kit with all your bearings, bearing races, shims, seals, axle bearings, etc...$$$$
If you don't have all the high speed tools to install the gears, (in/lb torque wrench, magnetic base dial indicator, calipers...) $$$$$
My point is that the gears are inexpensive, though the ass-pain and other costs associated with them are quite numerous. BUT...It's well worth it. Then you can tune it with your tuner later. Adjust your speedo and run the car on a 91 octane program and spend even more $$$ because you can't keep your foot out of the gas because your 4.10's make the car fun as hell to drive.
Doesn't Americanmuscle offer a kit with all that crap together? Save up and do that.
P.S. I'm not rich. I'm just stupid and caught the Mod-bug for the Mustang.
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'99 GT - My increasingly expensive DIY project car... Vortech V1, Moser 31-spline axles, FRPP diff. w/ 4.10 gears, Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter, Shany Custom pipes, JBA shorty headers, Powerslot rotors, Tokico D-specs, H&R Sport Springs, Steeda Strut Brace, MM X-duty Lower Control Arms, Autometer Phantom Boost and Wideband AFR guage, Custom Rear seat delete, Royal Purple, NGK, BFG
hahah
like you guys said the livewire lets you plug in and can read est. and clear codes and get free tunes. the 4.10's would be great everytime you touch the pedal...im going to keep reading and thinking about it. thanks for the comments and everything guys!
i have both and gears are best.if your short on cash get the gears and see if ford garage can set speedo for a minimal cost. when i changed tires on my pick-up chevy dealer corrected it for 60bucks.might be worth checking into.i havetuner and like it but since im getting cams i have to pay for dyno tune nowwich is 500 more bucks.i should have waited.
I put the 4.10 gears in my 98 GT first. I didn't care about the speedo. i wanted the performance. And that is what i got. what a difference on the street and the track. I then bought a speed calibrator to fix my speed. If you want to feel a difference right away i would say get the 4.10's, but either way you go will be a step in the right direction Good Luck
and AGAIN, 94-98 (SN95) you can just simply buy the speedo gear that goes with the gear ratio per application for only 15-20 bucks shipped.
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"Its not about what you can BUY, its about what you can build" anyone can buy a really cool car, but u dont ever get the satisfaction from it as you would building it yourself 1994 Mustang GT 5.0/T5 Sold 1998 Mustang GT 4.6/T45 *soon 5.4 S/C* Flows cat-back, CAI, Ford Racing 3.73 gears, Torsen Diff, short throw shifter
Gears vs Tuner. what do you think?? 
a tuner is needed for that. and yeah it is i suppose, i just havent seen it asked in a while, and i happened to be thinking about it this week. 
(yes i DO read signatures before i give advice on "their" car lol)
) but i think i want a tuner next more than anything...then i can start modding and have my car run right...
Of course, gears will come in sooner or later
wich is 500 more bucks.i should have waited.
