Approx. Gear Labor cost?

Acceleration difference is huge! As far as cost, besides the gears, you will need an installation kit as well. My total was around $600 for everything and well worth it.

AdamZx3 said:

Hello all, This is my first post though I have been lurking around here for weeks researching, one thing I noticed is that allot of people are running different gears, I am getting a GT in the spring and am looking into new mods. If I bought 4:10 gears how much of a difference would it be in acceleration? even if its the seat 'o' the pants dyno.

Also I have seen FR gears for around 150 I or so, how much would a shop charge to install these?

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Properly done it's about 4 hours. On a new car you won't need a complete installation kit just a gasket and MAYBE a shim or 2.

Find someone who knows what they're doing.
In my case the dealer I go to has a tranny and diff specialist so they'll be doing it.
This way I won't get excuses if I have problems down the road since my car sees a lot of track time.

The performance shop that I go to charges $400 including the gear set.

find you a dealership heavy line mechanic...they will do it for 125.00 to 150.00 on the side and they will set them up right and the gears you can buy for 159.00 at most parts websites for the new 8.8's......i had mine done from a buddy that works for one of our dealerships....total out of pocket wuz 300.00 plus a cold beer or two for him next time i see him out......

ya gatta get in good with the ford dealer.......they will help you a bunch if you are cool to them.............:tongue

wow cool I didnt think it would be that cheap! Anyone know of good mustang/performance shops in ohio? (doesnt really matter how far but I live in canton, about 30min from akron and about 1.5 hours S of cleaveland) I took my focus to McNews in PA because they did really good tuning, but I forget if they do any mustang work. If you don't know of any shops I'll hit the dealers up when that time comes, I think that'll be my first upgrade though.

Also What gear size should I get? My GT (when I get one will be driven on weekends and after work, and garaged in the winter. I really want that throw u back in the seat acceloration but dont want to be shifting gears like a madman either lol. Top end speed also isn't important (well kinda but not really)

Thanks for the speedy replies guys!!

My local guy charges $250 for rear axle setups. That's about standard as far as I know.

one thing I didnt think of untill a friend broughtit up...what kinda gas mileage do u get from 4:10 or 4:33 gears?

slightly less.

cool thanks guys I appriciate it!

gas mileage so far has been good like they said slightly worse but still THE CAR IS AWESOME with the 4.10's i was going to go with the 4.30's but i just love to drive the thing at hi speeds on the highway to my favorite curves about 2 hours away..........

wow, this will definatly be my first mod, Would 4:30 gears be better for acceloration? it will be used mostly to tool around with after work and the weekends and drive an hour to summit and some of the clubs in town about 45min away...so no long trips for me.


I was going 2 install them myself at work (lifts make everything so much easier) but I dont wanna risk gapping them to little/much and have them wear to fast.

I've installed one set of gears in a Ford 8.8 and it was easy but took a very long time and you had to have a lot of exact measuring equipment to do it. I wouldn't suggest it to anyone who is an average shade tree mechanic and only has a bunch of sockets and screwdrivers.

Forgot to add. It sounds like we drive our cars about the same amount. If I change gears it's probably going to be to 4.10's. 4.30's sound to steep for me.

Lol yea just because someone has a big fat chest full of snap-on tools doesnt make them a master mechanic Basic bolt on's are no problem but my specialty is bodywork so for cams, gears, rebuilding block etc are left for the pro's.

Anyone running 4:30 gears on their S197? Whats the increase in RPM's and MPG compared to 4:10? and most importantly what kinda acceleratrion gains do you get from 4:10 to 4:30?

I think as of now i'll be running 4:10's but I wanna make sure...can't wait to snag an 05 here this summer !

week 2 with 4.10's love em.....went with the motive gears and they are quite and really a good choice on ratio i think.....if i were to just drive it on the street and race it i would go 4.30's but for some highway and trip usage i still think i made the right choice....the car is at about 5800 to 6000 at the end of the q-mile in 4th so thats about were it starts to fall down on h.p. anyway....and later i will have to add a blower......