I'm getting a little tired of having trouble keeping up with base model vehicles when I'm driving my GT. I even had trouble with a V6 Monte Carlo the other day.
I already have headers, magna flows, x-pipe, flowmasters, and CAI. Time to move into torque.
I'm in the market now for gears and a shifter but I'm getting too much advise and can't sort through it...this is what it comes down to...
Got the right guy for the job and although not a great deal on install not the highest priced guy...so win/win.
I haven't gotten an exact answer from anyone when I ask what sized gears come standard on my 99 gt but it seems as if a lot of folks here and in magazines are picking 373's. The guy thats putting it in is very familiar with mustangs however he suggest 410's.
So my questions are this...
1. What gears are already in my car from the factory so I know how much I'm upgrading?
2. For normal everyday driving, but for power when I need it, what is the best gear?
3. What, if any, is the best short throw shifter I can but with spring assist for less than 200 bucks?
PS...this mech. refuses to install any gears other than Ford gears so please keep this in mind while responding...the shifter is optional.
Thanks again guys!
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'99 Mustang GT Limited Edition/35th Anniversary
Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter, Ford Racing 3.73 Gears, Moser Axles, Ceramic Brakes, MagnaFlow Cats, Basani X-Pipe, 40-Series Flowmasters, Bomz CAI(modified), Fully Loaded, Black/Silver Leather, 17" LE Pony Rims, Fuzion ZRi 275-40-17 Tires, Mach 1 Grille Delete, Black Euro Tail Lights, Mach 460 Sound System, Sony Xtreme Head Unit with XM Satellite, Pioneer 3-way Replacements, 2 10" Audiobaun DVC Subs powered by Rockford/Fosgate Amps
ok first off i believe the gears in ur 99 GT are 3.27's. The best thing to go by is what u plan to do in the future. If u plan to boost go w. 3.73's (thats wut i have and i love them). if you dont intend to boost and want an all motor setup many people believe 4.10's are the way to go. As for shifter i heard a lot of great things about MGW, i bougt one my self for $187, and i absolutly love it. My friend who has an 03 Mach 1 got it after i did n he loves it as well. Hope that helps.
~Brian
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2002 Mineral Grey GT 5spd
8psi procharger kit, MAF-ia, Accel direct fire coils, Borla Catback Exhaust, MAC LT's, MAC o/r H, BBK TB and plenum, 3.73 Motive gears, MGW Shifter, FRPP Driveshaft, Moser axles w. trickflow girdle, MM RLCA's, FRPP C-Springs, Strange Adj. Shocks and struts, 10th Anniversary Cobra Brake Converson Kit (Front), BBK SB and subframe connectors, SLP line lock, and 10.5" Mickeys.
360RWHP 380RWTQ
Can't help with the gears,haven't done that yet..but I'm leaning towards 3.73..maybe this will help you too... http://www.allfordmustangs.com/Detailed/608.shtml
as far as the shifter,I had (have ) a PRO 5.0 and I really liked it except the handle position was too far away for my liking...I just put an MGW adjustable handle on it and REALLY recommend this combination..I Ebayed the shifter-most still go for about a C-note+/-..and the handle direct from MGW is $30
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with intentions of arriving safely in a pretty well preserved body,but rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up,totally worn out and loudly proclaiming.....WOW!.....What a ride!
"As you grow older,don't slow down,speed up-there's less time left"--over 45 and just now realizing how much I don't know
Heres some links to some previous threads regarding gears - 3.27 comes stock -
If u have a manual 3.73 - if auto 4.10s if your not going to get a supercharger some day - so in other words 3.73 all around if you plan on doing other stuff in the future - the mechanic refusing to install anything but ford gears makes me wonder - unless he is a ford mechanic let me look up real quick and see if you answered this question - - - i have motives in my car and im happy - dont let someone bully you into putting expensive gears into your car when you can throw in cheaper but just as good gears - also how much is he charging you?
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2001 Mustang GT (Auto) - Check out my Profile
2005 Dodge Ram Quad Cab (Thunderroad)
On sean hyland's book on how to build high performance 4.6 he states that his shop prefers using ford gears beacuse they don't give any trouble on instalation, they just drop right in latemodel restoration has a good installation package under 280 you will notice more the difference in gears going from a 3.23 to a 4.10 than a 3.73. as for the shifter, I have always used the hurst series, comp & billet with good results.
How far do you drive daily and is it highway-that should be your biggest concern if your not planning on going with a supercharger.
Gears cut the top speed possible in each gear and provide u with more acceleration.
So when your on highway your car at 70mph in stock might be at 2k rpms but with 3.73 gear you will be at 2.3k and with 4.10s it will be at like 2.5k rpms.
Since lower rpms= better mileage or whatnot and if u use the highway alot i would consider the 3.73...
If anyone with 4.10s could answer- how short is first gear and is it possible to have traction with them in 1st w/o slicks or street drag radials?
I would stick with 3.73 and no higher. And think about what kind of racing do you do. Gears are only going to help you from a dig and it is going to be shifting a lot faster and more often. If you go from a roll mostly then I say 3.73 at most. They will help from a dig and roll. I would stick with ford gears not saying their are not other companies but have heard bad things about them.
I say that MGW and tri-ax are the best shifters from reading other threads and I have driven with both. The easiest way to get faster from a dig is good tires.
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1998 GT Saleen replica
New forged internals w/cobra crank, TEA CNC ported heads w/ comp cams XE270AH, AccuFab throttlebody and plenum, Spec III clutch, TKO 600 trans, aluminum drive shaft, 3:73 gears, BBK long tube headers, 255lpm intank fuel pump, Dyno tuned, Polished Procharger D-1sc 12psi, 3 core intercooler. SVO hood and 18in Budnik wheels w/toyo tires. Caster/Camber plates BBK lowering springs. Car web page
Comp cams XE262AH,T-45 with tri-ax shifter for sale
i agree with "So money" dont let someone convince u to buy sumtin u might not want. I have motive gears in my car. The instal went very smooth and i havent had a problem with them yet.
~Brian
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2002 Mineral Grey GT 5spd
8psi procharger kit, MAF-ia, Accel direct fire coils, Borla Catback Exhaust, MAC LT's, MAC o/r H, BBK TB and plenum, 3.73 Motive gears, MGW Shifter, FRPP Driveshaft, Moser axles w. trickflow girdle, MM RLCA's, FRPP C-Springs, Strange Adj. Shocks and struts, 10th Anniversary Cobra Brake Converson Kit (Front), BBK SB and subframe connectors, SLP line lock, and 10.5" Mickeys.
360RWHP 380RWTQ
Well I have never had motive gears but why dont you just give them a little search and find the multiple threads on people ahving problems with them. I searched ford gears under the same search and found none. Not saying their probably isn't any but a lot harder to find.
I have read a lot of threads where people love the in between gear from motive "3.90"
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1998 GT Saleen replica
New forged internals w/cobra crank, TEA CNC ported heads w/ comp cams XE270AH, AccuFab throttlebody and plenum, Spec III clutch, TKO 600 trans, aluminum drive shaft, 3:73 gears, BBK long tube headers, 255lpm intank fuel pump, Dyno tuned, Polished Procharger D-1sc 12psi, 3 core intercooler. SVO hood and 18in Budnik wheels w/toyo tires. Caster/Camber plates BBK lowering springs. Car web page
Comp cams XE262AH,T-45 with tri-ax shifter for sale
I have heard good things about 3.90's but I have also heard that motive is the only one that makes them and that has to tell you something - if it was such a good gear why doesnt everyone make em - at least thats the way i think - n e who - ford gears are great, but so are motives, i havent had any problems with my gears besides whine in the beginning due to the breaking in point - it mostly depends on the installer - get the gear kit with bearings and shims and all that crap - put synthetic oil in there - and remember u may hear the whine from the gears - but u will seeing others cry when you smoke them - whine is acceptable if some schmuck loses to me!
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2001 Mustang GT (Auto) - Check out my Profile
2005 Dodge Ram Quad Cab (Thunderroad)
Heres some links to some previous threads regarding gears - 3.27 comes stock -
If u have a manual 3.73 - if auto 4.10s if your not going to get a supercharger some day - so in other words 3.73 all around if you plan on doing other stuff in the future - the mechanic refusing to install anything but ford gears makes me wonder - unless he is a ford mechanic let me look up real quick and see if you answered this question - - - i have motives in my car and im happy - dont let someone bully you into putting expensive gears into your car when you can throw in cheaper but just as good gears - also how much is he charging you?
Ok...sorry it took a a little while to respond to all the advise...let me try to answer everyone's questions...
I drive about 30 minutes to work all highway. I rarely drive it on days off or to run into town. Every time we go somewhere we take the Expedition...too many kids!
I have a 5-speed trans.
The guy isn't a "Ford" mechanic but works on fox body mustangs as a hobby. He owns the biggest transmission shop in Huntsville, TX. (A&A Transmission) Even though I have a great mech. that loves fast Fords I thought it would be best to go to a transmission shop for these particular upgrades.
And for SoMoney he's charging me $150 for the gear install and $65 for the shifter install. My normal mech. only wanted $100 for the gear install but I've paid him a lot of money for other stuff so he's usually pretty quick to give me a deal but still don't know if he's right for this particular job.
I've read a lot of threads here talking about locking up the gears and driveshaft and maybe even the motor from a bad gear install.
But based on the info I think I will go with 373's and the tri-ax shifter.
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'99 Mustang GT Limited Edition/35th Anniversary
Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter, Ford Racing 3.73 Gears, Moser Axles, Ceramic Brakes, MagnaFlow Cats, Basani X-Pipe, 40-Series Flowmasters, Bomz CAI(modified), Fully Loaded, Black/Silver Leather, 17" LE Pony Rims, Fuzion ZRi 275-40-17 Tires, Mach 1 Grille Delete, Black Euro Tail Lights, Mach 460 Sound System, Sony Xtreme Head Unit with XM Satellite, Pioneer 3-way Replacements, 2 10" Audiobaun DVC Subs powered by Rockford/Fosgate Amps
Looking at gears too, leaning to 3.73. As for a shifter, I went with the MGW based on feedback from this forum and others. Very happy with it, although nothing to compare it to accept stock.
One piece of advice I was given, anything that you get will be way better then stock.
I have had both the Steeda Tri-Ax (in my GT) and now the Pro 5.0 (in my Cobra) and I recommend the Pro 5.0. The Tri-Ax put the knob is a better position, but I can't tell you how many times I missed 3rd at the track. The Pro 5.0 has a very short handle, which makes it a little harder to reach, but it shifts sooo much better.
As for gears, I always suggest 4.10's. Believe it or not, Motive actually makes gears for Ford. When purchasing, look at the part number, if there is an M on the end, it's a Motive gear. 1st and 2nd gear are very short with 4.10, but it's possible to get traction, it just takes alittle practice. 3rd gear was the most fun, it would pull hard all the way up to about 90 mph. I had 4.10's on my Blown GT and never had trouble hooking up, but if I wanted to, I could easily blow the tires off.
he's charging me $150 for the gear install and $65 for the shifter install.
Dude, don't pay $65 for a shifter install. It took me about 30 minutes with simple hand tools. And I'd never done anything like that before. If you can use a screwdriver and socket wrench, you can do the install. The only "tough" part is getting the old shifter off!
I don't know about the other shifter manufacturers, but my MGW came with very clear instructions, you'd really have to try to do it wrong, I think.
$150 is a great price for a gear install.
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-Jim- 2003 Black 10th Anniversary Cobra #353 of 10th Anniversary Editions. Born June 9, 2003
BBK CAI, Magnaflow Catback, MGW Shifter, M/T Drag Radials
How far do you drive daily and is it highway-that should be your biggest concern if your not planning on going with a supercharger.
Gears cut the top speed possible in each gear and provide u with more acceleration.
So when your on highway your car at 70mph in stock might be at 2k rpms but with 3.73 gear you will be at 2.3k and with 4.10s it will be at like 2.5k rpms.
Since lower rpms= better mileage or whatnot and if u use the highway alot i would consider the 3.73...
If anyone with 4.10s could answer- how short is first gear and is it possible to have traction with them in 1st w/o slicks or street drag radials?
If the tranny is a T45, then 1st gear is 3.38:1. Going with 4.10's in this tranny will render 1st gear useless. On my '90 I had a T5 and it had 2.95 1st gear ratio. I was also running 3.73's and I have to shift within the first 30 feet of taking off. Suits my driving style but to most it would not be fun. I have since switched to a TKO-500 and it has a 3.27:1 1st gear. Now I only use 1st when racing to get rolling. Around town, I take off in 2nd gear.
As far as traction..... Mine is non-existent.
Buying Gears and Shifter...need advise 
