gear ratios.....

[*19MYSTIC96*]

My mechanic suggested that I go with a 3.73(I wanted a 4.10) cause of the transmission ratios. I know many people say 4.10 or higher?? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I know there's a million posts on gears,just wanted some other opinions? I have a stock(so far) 96 mystic cobra with 68k miles.
Thanks!!

 

[pp_puncher]

Oh God, where's Paul...

 

[badass98svt]

How much highway driving do you plan on doing? Will you be racing it at the track?

 

[pp_puncher]

What??????

when Paul gets online I'm sure he will comment.

 

[Shame302]

How much highway driving do you plan on doing? Will you be racing it at the track?

Exactly. If you are doing much daily highway driving for long distances 373 might be a good compromise but if it's an around tow-ner, cruiser etc 410s are the way to go if not 430.

 

[BMOREstang]

I have 4.10's in my 97 and really wish I had a six speed lol. I do alot of both (highway and around town) and honestly it's not that bad. Around town I get the same or better gas mileage, on the highway I definitely get worst, anything over 55 and I feel like it'll use alot more gas. If I had to do it again I would prbly get 3.90's. At about 60mph my tach sits at ~2350.

 

[badass98svt]

Not sure how much gas you "think" you are using. I regularly get 20-22mpg traveling at 75 on the highway with my 4.30s
These cars are built to rev.

 

[JDwhite98gt]

+1 I got WAY WAY better gas milleage when I had my 4.10's and open exhaust compared to now, but I have the stock h pipe on and stock 3.27's the car eats gas especially on the highway. I now have to downshift and rev the piss out of the car for it to move. With 4.10's I could leave it in 5th to easily pass and around town I never used 1st and put the car in fifth whenever I was driving over 35 mph....it also helped keep the po po off my ass, they hated my slp lm1's more then I did. I'm getting 4.30's in the next few weeks.

 

[BMOREstang]

I have never really kept track of it , but I make alot of trips back and forth to ocean city to baltimore (its like 3 hours all highway). Idk, like I said I just feel like I use a bit more gas when I get up to 70 or so. When push comes to shove though if I had to choose between 3.73's and 4.10's it would be 4.10's again! Lol JD the 3.27's must suck, I remember how bad they were!

 

[MustangChris]

i got 20+ with 4.10s in my 2v... 17mpg with 3.55s.

i suggest 4.10s.

 

[badass98svt]

i got 20+ with 4.10s in my 2v... 17mpg with 3.55s.

i suggest 4.10s.

2V is a whole different animal.
the 4V loves to rev. Anything below 4.30s is not worth it, IMO.

 

[MustangChris]

i got 20+ with 4.10s in my 2v... 17mpg with 3.55s.

i suggest 4.10s.

2V is a whole different animal.
the 4V loves to rev. Anything below 4.30s is not worth it, IMO.

gotcha.

do you use this same "rule of thumb" for a 03/04?

 

[KWClutch]

I have 4.10's but 1st gear is pretty much useless. 450-550 3.73s. Anything higher probably keep the 3.55's.

For your car I'd say 4.30's. I had 4.10's with my stock motor and loved em. I wanted more gear.

 

[badass98svt]

^^^
What he said.

 

[Shifty Powers]

reading this makes me hate my stock gears... but there on the low level of concerns as if i do gears i want to rebuild the whole rear.. plus i gotta figure out what would be best for running at an actual race track too.. not the 1320

 

[uncltrvlnmatt]

I have 3:73's in my 97 Cobra. I am happy with them. I have gotten as high as 26mpg on long trips.

 

[Blind]

Not sure how much gas you "think" you are using. I regularly get 20-22mpg traveling at 75 on the highway with my 4.30s
These cars are built to rev.

.

I went from 24mph to 22mpg going from 3.27's to 4.30, omg so horrible stop the presses!!!11


hell, around town I use 2, 4, and 5th only, so it's not even a matter of shifting more often

 

[Bouttime09]

Driving a Cobra....gas mileage shouldn't really be your main concern. This a performance car and it should perform. The stock gears wont do it. Go 4.30 or higher and call it a day. My last highway drive netted me 24.5 mpg and I was driving like an ass.

Also stick with 2,4,5 or 1,3,5 in town and you should be golden.

 

[Gallows]

I have 4:10's with a Vortech and I wouldn't want any less gear. If you are staying N/A I wouldn't go any less then 4:10's.