4.10's enough to restore the fun factor of a Mustang GT?

[Viper GTS]

In the 14 months I've had my 2002 Mustang GT I've gotten slightly bored with it. I still love the car, but I have major 'Vette envy. Given the general state of the economy and my current job status (was nearly laid off, but seem to be OK for now) I am not particularly eager to go buy a Vette. Plus I want to wait until used 2008 C6 Z51's are reasonably priced.

So in the meantime, I'm thinking about doing something cheap to the Mustang to restore the "Holy crap this thing is fast" feeling that I had when I bought it (keep in mind I came from a car with less than half the horsepower, 1/3 the torque, and twice as many driven wheels).

To my knowledge it's still running the stock 3.27's, & the engine is completely stock as well. I'm not much for all out top speed, I just want to get to highway speed as quickly as possible without turning this into a major project.

I definitely do not plan on dumping a significant amount of money into this car. What I really want is a C6 Vette, I just need something cheap to entertain me until then. I'm thinking that 4.10 gears + possibly the common pulleys/throttle body/intake if the gears alone don't make me grin big enough.

How much entertainment value can I expect from this? Key is cheap, I am not one to dump money into a project car. I'd rather just go buy what I really want.

Viper GTS

 

[compman25]

I'd go 3.73's if you're driving on the street.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: compman25
I'd go 3.73's if you're driving on the street.

That was the other one I was considering. I was leaning towards 4.10's in hopes of avoiding engine mods.

Viper GTS

 

[iamwiz82]

Plug you numbers in a gear calculator and decide if you can deal with those RPMs at specific speeds. I don't think 4.10s will be a problem though. Go for 4.56s

 

[woodie1]

To me it depends on if you do much freeway driving. I have owned a car with 4.56s and a 1:1 fourth gear (4-speed). You can smoke the tires and burn fuel like crazy but for an everyday driver you might back off to a 3.90. if you plan on any trips over 100 miles.

 

[Viper GTS]

Vast majority of my time is spent on a 3 mile commute to/from work (non highway). Longest typical trip is about 20 miles each way, & I average less than once a week for that trip.

The speed limit here in Oregon is 55 basically everywhere. According to this my RPMs in 5th @ 60 mph (where I spend all my highway time) would be around 2000 vs 1600 on the 3.27. 3.73's would put me roughly in the middle between the two.

That is what makes me think 4.10's wouldn't be so bad, once I'm into 5th the RPM's are still only 2K.

Viper GTS

 

[JulesMaximus]

Go with the 3.73s. When I had my '94 GT coupe (5spd manual) I went from a 2.73 rear gear to a 3.73 gear. Made a huge difference! Of course, it also made a pretty big difference in fuel economy.

 

[compman25]

If it's only 3 miles, 4.10's and a 100 shot of NOS!

 

[franksta]

4.10 should be awesome and still livable on the street. Don't fear the gear.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Vast majority of my time is spent on a 3 mile commute to/from work (non highway). Longest typical trip is about 20 miles each way, & I average less than once a week for that trip.

The speed limit here in Oregon is 55 basically everywhere. According to this my RPMs in 5th @ 60 mph (where I spend all my highway time) would be around 2000 vs 1600 on the 3.27. 3.73's would put me roughly in the middle between the two.

That is what makes me think 4.10's wouldn't be so bad, once I'm into 5th the RPM's are still only 2K.

Viper GTS

Yeah, 4.10s it is.

Keep in mind that gears are more intensive than those bolt ons that you linked to. I have seen guys have their axles lock up after bad gear swaps.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Keep in mind that gears are more intensive than those bolt ons that you linked to. I have seen guys have their axles lock up after bad gear swaps.

I have no intentions of doing this myself, I'm not deluded enough to think I could handle it. I'll probably take it to a Ford dealer to have it done.

Viper GTS

 

[Throckmorton]

Why do you think regearing is cheap? To regear my Jeep would have cost $1500 or something like that, so half that much for your one differential.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Keep in mind that gears are more intensive than those bolt ons that you linked to. I have seen guys have their axles lock up after bad gear swaps.

I have no intentions of doing this myself, I'm not deluded enough to think I could handle it. I'll probably take it to a Ford dealer to have it done.

Viper GTS

i'm talking pro installations. Not to scare you, but keep a keen ear open for any whining or whirring after installation.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

You'll be running about 25% higher RPMs across the board and shifting about 20% earlier (ie: 40 instead of 50MPH). You might look into having a gear/axle/trans shop do it instead of the dealer. They do axles all day long and probably know your torque and play figures by heart. There's no magic to a Mustang's rear end as far as an axle shop's concerned

 

[Kadarin]

I ran 4.10s on my old '83 Mustang GT for a while, and it worked out just fine with the stock T5 5-speed transmission.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Vast majority of my time is spent on a 3 mile commute to/from work (non highway). Longest typical trip is about 20 miles each way, & I average less than once a week for that trip.

The speed limit here in Oregon is 55 basically everywhere. According to this my RPMs in 5th @ 60 mph (where I spend all my highway time) would be around 2000 vs 1600 on the 3.27. 3.73's would put me roughly in the middle between the two.

That is what makes me think 4.10's wouldn't be so bad, once I'm into 5th the RPM's are still only 2K.

Viper GTS

It won't be too bad from an engine longevity standpoint, but you'd lose a lot of your highway fuel economy. On the other hand, fun is fun.

ZV

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Keep in mind that gears are more intensive than those bolt ons that you linked to. I have seen guys have their axles lock up after bad gear swaps.

I have no intentions of doing this myself, I'm not deluded enough to think I could handle it. I'll probably take it to a Ford dealer to have it done.

Viper GTS

i'm talking pro installations. Not to scare you, but keep a keen ear open for any whining or whirring after installation.

Yeah, I wouldn't take it to a Ford dealer quite honestly.

 

[Pacfanweb]

4.10's would definitely make it feel "new". Neck-snapping factor would be way up.

Go to the Ford dealership and strike up a conversation with one of the driveline techs. Ask if him, or anyone else there will install the gears on the side. Best bet there...you have a pro doing it, and it's much cheaper.
Buy the gears elsewhere, though.

 

[Viper GTS]

How apparent would an installation problem be? And if it makes it say... The first week is it likely to run indefinitely?

I was under the impression that this was a relatively simple swap, but unlike my PC's my car is just expected to just work. The last thing I need is to blow something up.

Viper GTS

 

[kevman]

new 2008 c6 z51's are already reasonably priced. Dump that stang and get the C6! NOW!! STOP READING THIS!!! GO!!! DO IT NOW!!!

 

[Demon-Xanth]

The theory behind gear swaps is simple. Change one gear for another. But it's all the details like shims and checking the lash that make it easy to screw up. If you're paying attention it's likely you'll notice a problem in the first day.

 

[AMCRambler]

If new gears are going to cost 1500, couldn't you pick up a cheap turbo kit for that much scratch? I'm no expert but I think there are some small turbos that most stock fuel systems will be able to handle so you won't have to worry about high pressure fuel pumps and larger fuel injectors. You'll just have to bolt it up and plumb an intercooler.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I'd expect them to be closer to the $300-400 range installed.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/fopege3ra1.html <-- quick search

 

[fbrdphreak]

Don't bother with the pulleys/intake/TB. Low ROI.

Maybe consider a handheld (off the shelf) or dyno tune to free up a few more ponies.

 

[alkemyst]

I liked 3.55's in my 88 GT. 3.73's were getting a bit much.

Also the extra shifting for the gears killed my quarter mile a bit.

Highway driving was ok with the 3.55's