If you've put gears in your 96-98 AUTO GT PLEASE read!

[Wes8398]

I was thinking about doing a 5spd swap, but I'm leaning away from that now and thinking more along the lines of doing the J-Mod and putting some gears in. I did a lot of research on the topic quite a while ago, and I remember there being some controversy over whether a gear, say a 4.10, would be "plug n play" or whether other mods were required as well.
From what I remember, some people were saying that you had to have shift points re-programmed. Lots of people said that was BS, but I just want to make sure; so when I have the gears installed and I mash the gas pedal, I don't go bangin' off the rev limiter.
The other issue I remember hearing was that the speedo would be off. I gathered that there's a gear of some sort, that connects to the transmission, that needs to be changed to an 8 tooth gear or something ... can anyone verify this?
Any other tips would be greatly appreciated as well! Thanks!

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Re: What do I need to know about putting gears in my '97 auto?

You can either do a speedo gear or a Dallas Mustang Speedcal for super accuracy.

 

[GaryG]

Re: What do I need to know about putting gears in my '97 auto?

im w/ Jrgunn on this

the '96 GT auto im buying has 3.73's in it, i wasnt all too impress w/ them..once its in my name im installing 4.10's...im not too worried bout gas mileage due to having a escort for a dd

 

[Wes8398]

Re: What do I need to know about putting gears in my '97 auto?

One of the "higher ups" at another popular Mustang forum is telling me that i HAVE to use the "dallas speedcal" to correct my speedo, and also that I HAVE to have my shift points reprogrammed (with a handheld tuner) when I install my gears. What do you guys think about this?
Gary - Do you know how the speedo on your 96 auto was corrected? Do you know if a tuner was used to reprogram shift points?

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Re: What do I need to know about putting gears in my '97 auto?

One of the "higher ups" at another popular Mustang forum is telling me that i HAVE to use the "dallas speedcal" to correct my speedo, and also that I HAVE to have my shift points reprogrammed (with a handheld tuner) when I install my gears. What do you guys think about this?
Gary - Do you know how the speedo on your 96 auto was corrected? Do you know if a tuner was used to reprogram shift points?

A handheld cannot perform those functions on our cars, if they could you wouldn't even need to consider a speedcal. You don't HAVE to use a speedcal either, a gear will be fine, a speedcal is more accurate though, and adaptable for wheel tire changes.

 

[GaryG]

Re: What do I need to know about putting gears in my '97 auto?

Gary - Do you know how the speedo on your 96 auto was corrected? Do you know if a tuner was used to reprogram shift points?

it hasnt been corrected yet, so its still a couple mph off, but once i get the car an do the 4.10's ill then have it corrected

 

[Wes8398]

Re: What do I need to know about putting gears in my '97 auto?

Why do you say a handheld can't perform these functions? I realize that a handheld can't change the speedo setting to make it accurate, but lots of people have said to use the tuner to change shift and lock points for your auto trans so the new gears don't send you ringing off the rev limiter...
Gary - do you know if the shift/lock points had to be reprogrammed?

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Re: What do I need to know about putting gears in my '97 auto?

If you go to SCT's website, it show's what an xcal can and cannot do for you.

 

[Wes8398]

Re: What do I need to know about putting gears in my '97 auto?

http://www.sctflash.com/product_xc2.php
Shows "automatic shift control" - "yes" with no asterisk(*) beside it - indicating it does this for ALL models it's made for, not just 99+. Not arguing man, just saying, it can be done.

But I still have questions ... do the shift points even NEED to be changed? (regardless of whether a handheld can do it or not).

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Re: What do I need to know about putting gears in my '97 auto?

http://www.sctflash.com/product_xc2.php
Shows "automatic shift control" - "yes" with no asterisk(*) beside it - indicating it does this for ALL models it's made for, not just 99+. Not arguing man, just saying, it can be done.

But I still have questions ... do the shift points even NEED to be changed? (regardless of whether a handheld can do it or not).

Nice, i just assumed it went in the category with the two step and ratio. I don't see why they need to be changed though, the car does have a VSS, it's just running or a gear unlike the later models. When you change the gear it will change the signal to the VSS, same with the speedcal, which does the same thing. Although I may be describing exactly why you should re-program, lol...

Someone help the guy out, I know we don't all have 5 speeds here....

 

[DropTopPony]

Re: What do I need to know about putting gears in my '97 auto?

I have 3.73's with my auto and didn't have any issue with having to change shift points etc...and the speedcal is the best way to fix the speedo...the gear will wear out (mine did as did many others) so just go straight for the speedcal.

Obviously getting a SCT tuner and adjusting the shift points will make driving the car more fun but i don't think its needed to operate the car properly.

 

[GaryG]

Re: What do I need to know about putting gears in my '97 auto?

Why do you say a handheld can't perform these functions? I realize that a handheld can't change the speedo setting to make it accurate, but lots of people have said to use the tuner to change shift and lock points for your auto trans so the new gears don't send you ringing off the rev limiter...
Gary - do you know if the shift/lock points had to be reprogrammed?

i dont believe so, but ill ask the owner of the car tomorrow

 

[Wes8398]

DropTop! How's it goin man? Thanks for chiming in here. I'm goint to refer everyone over to the thread where I'm being told 100% that I have to have the shift points changed ... hope it's ok to link to another forum here. The thread is here: http://forums.modulardepot.com/drivetrain/105340-what-do-i-need-know-about-putting-gears-my-97-auto.html#post864491 If you happen to be a member there, please chime in and argue your point - cause I can't really argue much besides say "well someone from somewhere else said..." . haha Thanks again guys. Please, keep the info coming.

 

[voidfinger]

Re: What do I need to know about putting gears in my '97 auto?

I have 3.73's with my auto and didn't have any issue with having to change shift points etc...and the speedcal is the best way to fix the speedo...the gear will wear out (mine did as did many others) so just go straight for the speedcal.

Obviously getting a SCT tuner and adjusting the shift points will make driving the car more fun but i don't think its needed to operate the car properly.

I thought that the scal2 could program the computer to "read" the new gears and tire size just like a speedcal.... am i right ? thanks

 

[DropTopPony]

Re: What do I need to know about putting gears in my '97 auto?

I have 3.73's with my auto and didn't have any issue with having to change shift points etc...and the speedcal is the best way to fix the speedo...the gear will wear out (mine did as did many others) so just go straight for the speedcal.

Obviously getting a SCT tuner and adjusting the shift points will make driving the car more fun but i don't think its needed to operate the car properly.

I thought that the scal2 could program the computer to "read" the new gears and tire size just like a speedcal.... am i right ? thanks

only on 99+ can you use the tuner to compensate for gears/tire....just the speedcal for us.

 

[DropTopPony]

DropTop! How's it goin man? Thanks for chiming in here. I'm goint to refer everyone over to the thread where I'm being told 100% that I have to have the shift points changed ... hope it's ok to link to another forum here. The thread is here: http://forums.modulardepot.com/drivetrain/105340-what-do-i-need-know-about-putting-gears-my-97-auto.html#post864491 If you happen to be a member there, please chime in and argue your point - cause I can't really argue much besides say "well someone from somewhere else said..." . haha Thanks again guys. Please, keep the info coming.

KDanner is a smart guy and knows his stuff, maybe he is saying you will be hitting the rev limiter if you swap in 4.10s and don't add a gear or speedcal? I installed a 23t speedo gear with my 3.73's and that lasted about 3-4 years and got chewed up then i installed the speedcal...so i never was without an unadjusted setup...

Thats all i can think of as far as what they are talking about. I didn't have a tuner hooked up to my car for the first 8 years that i owned it and never hit off the rev limiter because of my gears even once.

 

[Purple97GT]

I had 3:73 gears with my 4r70w and all I did was change the plastic speedo gear to the correct toothed one and it was fine. No tuning req'd.

If you want to go 5speed, I can suggest a Tremec 3550/TKO. Mine bolted in with the stock 4r70w trans mount position. I didn't need to relocate it. You will need a slightly longer DS. If you're interested in that swap, I'll post details on it if you want to know more.

 

[voidfinger]

isn't that tremec from the 99 up cars electronic speedo though? its got the electron milage thing.... i don't get it.

 

[96sohc]

The 3650 is electronic, the 3550 is not; two very different transmissions.

 

[voidfinger]

o ok.