I'm not sure. My auto was shot but with a good auto trans it will make a big difference. If you don't do much high way driving then yea i'd do 4:10's
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Real cars don't power the front wheels, they lift them!
1989 Mustang Lx 5.0. 5spd, 3:73's, Mac CAI, Timing 15*, Pro 5.0 short throw, 9mm spark plug wires, 245-45 r 17 cobra r's....really just begining.
Need to install. bbk long tube headers, bbk x pipe, ud pullies
my buddy mike has a 89 LX 5.0 with 3.73's in it and my friend has a twin turbo 300ZX, they raced and mike was 3 cars ahead of the 300ZX and the 300 hit 140mph and his speedo is not off, mike was at like 5200rpm at like 150, 3.73's are not that radical of a gear, there the perfect street gear.
Looks like I am not the only one who's asked himself this question...wow so many pages of opinions
I am almost done with my 88 GT now and I wanted to run it with the stock 3.08's before I made up my mind on what gears to throw in. I am leaning towards the 3.73's, but I went with a tremec road race tranny that has a 5th gear of .82 instead of the more typical .68, and all of its gears are closer together. But 1st is also higher than a stock T-5, so with 3.73's I am thinking it will not be out of gear as soon as I dump the clutch off the line.
I am running over 400hp+ish motor and it run's 6000rpm's, the 3.73's just seem more logical. Also I put 275/40ZR17's on it and they are also a bit bigger than the stock tires. And mileage is not a concern for me either.
the gear debate all depends on what trans you have, performance goals, and how/where you drive. With a manual trans and a good clutch you could get nice performence out of a set of 3.23 gears, and get good gas mileage as well. Plus you still keep your top end.
Now Im going to throw a wrench in and get everyone to think, I have a 82 with a 4 sp stick, carb,intake,cam,underdrive pulleys,electric fans, I do some highway but only for a short while, At 70 I am about 2000 rpm, I am looking at the 4.10, I want a great holeshot for like the 1/4 mile, I dont care to st race. I also dont drive everyday,Weekends and pleasure,let me know what way to go
I would go with 3.73 IMO. I ran 3.55's then 3.73's in my daily driver and the gas mileage didnt change hardly at all you couldnt even tell on that. Now at the track my 60ft times were good with the 3.55's but better with the 3.73's. I went with 4.10's with M/T ET Streets evertime with 28x11.5 with the 4.10's my 60ft dropped because I spun more. IMO 3.73's my 60ft time was good and still had mid range and top end.
It depends on what you want to do. If you want your car to be quicker I would get the 3.73 gears but if you want more top end speed get the 3.55 gears.
I'm putting a Carbed 351 into my 1988 Mustang LX Coupe, looking at 4.10s but not sure if i want it or not, is there ANY highway drive ability with 4.10s I do mostly town driving but like to hit the highway once in a blue moon, I'm concerned about launching and best 1/4 mile time with in town drive ability for pleasure... any and all opinions would be awesome...
P.S its getting equipped with a T5 Transmission... and stock tires for now but will be getting 17" Cobra R Rims and 255/40R17s
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Project Wrecker Rebuild - 1988 Ford Mustang LX
2.3L Fuel Injected to 347 Stroker Carburated Project Wrecker Rebuild has begun!!!
I drive my 86 LX to work once per week - about 42 miles round trip. I have 196,000 miles on the clock and don't want to wear the motor out. Wouldn't 3.55s be easier on the motor? I would think that 3.55s would be a big improvement over 2.73s anyway. I have a 5-speed with a Ram clutch. Thanks.
Still undecided...................................
4 hours and Im still confused................................. so here goes.
1993 conv, 5.0, 5 spd std, shows to have 3.08 gears.
I drive on the highway, not over 85, do a bunch of city driving, car runs great, all stock.
I want more thrill in the seat of the pants. Fuel mileage does not matter, but rpms in first gear does . I do not want to shift every 1 second.
How much punch will 3.55s add to this car and how much more will 3.73s add over the 3.55s? I do not want to run the salt flats, or try and outgun a Z-06, but would like to keep up with the slightly mod stangs in my area.
I run 255/55R16s on a Kenny Brown full suspension , 4 inch lowered, shift kit, K&N, hays clutch, and a JVC radion (LOL).
Friend of mine took it to the 1/8 mile and ran a 9.8 , others were from 8.0 to 10.0. How much difference for each gear. 3.55 and 3.73s ?
I think Motive makes a 3:90 gear for the 8.8 rear end. I ran it
in my 89 306 GT and it was alot of fun. (5 speed of course).
I currently run 3:73 in my 92 x-ssp DSS 331/AFR s/charged coupe.
(5 speed of course).
hey i went to the junkyard today and pulled out a 96 explorer 8.8 with 3:73s and a posi for $100 bux im going to use the gears and carryer for my mustang and going to use the rear disks for a swap to 5lug down the road! ill tell you what kind of a differance it makes
Look at it this way...How many times are you going to drive over 120 mph anyway? Now ask yourself...How many times am I going to punch it from a dead stop or from a slow roll, or maybe on the highway?
I have an AOD car with usual engine mods, stock AOD, and I run 4.10's. With street tires in 90 degree heat I still managed a 13.7. I get 16 to 19 mpg and that is with me getting on it from time to time.
Based on my many Mustangs over the years I find 4.10's are great for AOD cars. Depending on what your going to be doing with a 5 spd. 3.55 or 3.73. If your never or rarely going to take it to the strip I would go with 3.55's, especially if you do not want the quick shifts all the time.
Last edited by CNTLOSE; 08-10-2008 at 10:25 PM.
Reason: Add info
that year is fairly light and if u plan on goin to a higher hp
you will thank yourself the day u have to make a longer trip then normal and ur car is siting at a decent rpm on the freeway vs. 3k plus
Project Wrecker Rebuild has begun!!!
