jumpincactus Posted March 31, 2007 Report Share Posted March 31, 2007 I have some questions, also need to admit I know nothing about gear ratios as they apply to rearends. With that said, please try to put your responses in idiot proof laymen terms so I can better understand how gearing works. I have seen where a lot of you guys have switched out your gears for the 3.73's As I am not sure what the stock GT 500 started with, what is the stock gear ratio in the 500? Then try to help me understand what the difference is in performance, why the change???. I have noticed first gear in my GT is virtually usless. I am curious if the gearing I had in my 03 Cobra would make a difference in the GT. Here is the ratio that my 03 had. SVT Cobra 1st 2.66 2nd 1.78 3rd 1.30 4th 1.00 5th 0.80 6th 0.63 Reverse 2.90 Final drive 3.55 What setup is going to be a better way to go? the setup I pasted above, or the 3.73 gearing. And help me to as mentioned above get a grasp on gearing and how it all works. your input and insight are appreciated. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropping__Chronic Posted March 31, 2007 Report Share Posted March 31, 2007 One thing that was key for me when choosing new gears on past cars, is where the RPM's would be at highway speeds. I can't stand exhaust drone - so be careful of that before you make that change. In my 04 Cobra I think 4.10's were the best - in these I'm not certain as I don't have one yet. Perhaps some others can chime in with their personal experiences to help more than me however. -DC P.S. Did you see the pics in the pig thread? I posted up my Terminator - was pretty much like yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eci Posted March 31, 2007 Report Share Posted March 31, 2007 4.10 is the best for an s197 with 18" wheels. GT, GT500, doesn't matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-TX-GT500 Posted March 31, 2007 Report Share Posted March 31, 2007 GT 500 comes stock with 3.31's. I would echo the drone comment, depdending on whether the car is left at stock horsepower or increased will really dictate ratio ultimately. With 3.73's and Evolution Stage 2 on my car (stock tires) I still feel like I run through first in a heartbeat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alloy Dave Posted April 1, 2007 Report Share Posted April 1, 2007 I have some questions, also need to admit I know nothing about gear ratios as they apply to rearends. With that said, please try to put your responses in idiot proof laymen terms so I can better understand how gearing works. I have seen where a lot of you guys have switched out your gears for the 3.73's As I am not sure what the stock GT 500 started with, what is the stock gear ratio in the 500? Then try to help me understand what the difference is in performance, why the change???. I have noticed first gear in my GT is virtually usless. I am curious if the gearing I had in my 03 Cobra would make a difference in the GT. Here is the ratio that my 03 had. SVT Cobra 1st 2.66 2nd 1.78 3rd 1.30 4th 1.00 5th 0.80 6th 0.63 Reverse 2.90 Final drive 3.55 What setup is going to be a better way to go? the setup I pasted above, or the 3.73 gearing. And help me to as mentioned above get a grasp on gearing and how it all works. your input and insight are appreciated. thanks Cactus, let me see if I can shed some light. As one other person mentioned...the GT500 comes stock with a 3.31 gear. This means that for each 3.31 revolutions of the driveshaft, the rear wheels will rotate one time. Going to a numerically higher ration, such as 3.73, effectively increases acceleration at the expense of fuel economy on the highway...but likely won't hurt fuel economy by very much. You mention your other car...it's difficult to compare because they have different engines. Some cars are "rev happy", meaning they create their power higher in the RPM band. I don't know the transmission gears of the GT500 so as to compare with your other car....but if a 3.55 was "virtually useless" in your other car...you may want to think hard about going with even a 3.73...maybe you can drive someone else's GT500 who has a 3.73 at a car show to see how different it is. Another thing you should know is that tire diameter also affects gearing. A taller rear tire will act the same way as going to a numerically lower rear gear. Therefore, if you change wheels/tires such that the total height is different, don't be surprised if your car seems to accelerate a bit differently. I think the GT500 needs a shorter (numerically higher) gear. It doesn't have the "grunt" off the line that I'm used to. I think Ford did this to increase fuel economy and avoid an even higher GG tax. If you do a lot of highway driving, you might want to stick with the current setup for now. I drive mostly in town, so I'm less concerned with fuel economy on the highway. Good luck. HOpe this helps. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SVTpower Posted April 1, 2007 Report Share Posted April 1, 2007 Cactus, let me see if I can shed some light. As one other person mentioned...the GT500 comes stock with a 3.31 gear. This means that for each 3.31 revolutions of the driveshaft, the rear wheels will rotate one time. Going to a numerically higher ration, such as 3.73, effectively increases acceleration at the expense of fuel economy on the highway...but likely won't hurt fuel economy by very much. You mention your other car...it's difficult to compare because they have different engines. Some cars are "rev happy", meaning they create their power higher in the RPM band. I don't know the transmission gears of the GT500 so as to compare with your other car....but if a 3.55 was "virtually useless" in your other car...you may want to think hard about going with even a 3.73...maybe you can drive someone else's GT500 who has a 3.73 at a car show to see how different it is. Another thing you should know is that tire diameter also affects gearing. A taller rear tire will act the same way as going to a numerically lower rear gear. Therefore, if you change wheels/tires such that the total height is different, don't be surprised if your car seems to accelerate a bit differently. I think the GT500 needs a taller (numerically higher) gear. It doesn't have the "grunt" off the line that I'm used to. I think Ford did this to increase fuel economy and avoid an even higher GG tax. If you do a lot of highway driving, you might want to stick with the current setup for now. I drive mostly in town, so I'm less concerned with fuel economy on the highway. Good luck. HOpe this helps. Dave Just one correction........for more snap, you want to go 'shorter' or 'lower', which is (numerically higher) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alloy Dave Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Just one correction........for more snap, you want to go 'shorter' or 'lower', which is (numerically higher) You are correct...I'll edit my original post to avoid confusion...got my words backwards. Thanks for catching me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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