I finally had the opportunity today to compare 2 of the exact same cars with the only difference being 3.31 ratio vs 3.73. I have a 2014 base GT totally stock with 3.31s and 2k miles. My buddy picked up his 2014 base GT Mustang today. It is totally stock with the exception of 3.73 gears and has 50 miles on it.

First, we drove both cars back to back, hoofed them and cruised. Second, we raced each other.

I can honestly say the difference was negligible. He would agree himself and hopefully will spot this post and comment.

I was seriously considering getting lower gearing but after today I don't think it is worth the several hundred dollars for the gears, labor and the tune to correct the speedo, which may also risk voiding my warranty.

When we raced he beat me by a half car length. Also, factor in that he is a much better driver than me and he also took off traction control and I didn't. If I could have ordered them from the factory I would most definitely have, but to go in aftermarket and have these guys tear into the rear-end is just not worth it in my opinion.

That is not to say that I couldn't feel the difference in acceleration but for me it was so minute that it put it to rest for me.

I was convinced by reading that they were the best mod around and that it was sure to give me huge gains when in reality it gave me a little more neck snap. This is the first case I've seen where 2 of the exact same model years, both stock were compared. I will make a video of us racing and post in the next few weeks.

Just my opinion, fellas. I'm not claiming this to be fact.

What have been your experiences?

 

Well, you know what they say about "opinions"...

 

My 3.73s are too much fun. 3.31's would be mean on the highway from a roll though!

 

It's all in your driving wants. If you do more stop and go type driving, the arguement will be to use the 3.73 or higher.

If you do more highway type driving, the 2;73 and 3:31 are the choice.

Just like oil, oil filters, CAI's, and tunes.

 

First, I test drove an auto ... wasn't impressed.

Then, I drove a standard 3.31 ... almost didn't buy a Mustang.

Finally, I got the 3.73 (Track Pack). For me, the gearing made a meaningful difference.

 

Been wasting customers cash swapping gears for them for years. In the seventies and eighties, a lot of cars came with as low as 2:73, and naturally got changed,BUT we didn't stop at 3:73,but dropped in 4:11 at least. With the advent of the overdrive transmission, the higher gears were a real pleaser for the spirited drivers. Astute decision on your part.

 

Have not changed my gears yet but I think the impact on a "GT" would be less than a "V6".

 

I have a Track Pack car and I honestly want longer gears. I like the Torsen, but would rather have 3.31s or 3.55s for both city/stoplight driving and highway cruising. I don't think the single overdrive trans and 3.73s are a good combination.

 

I drove a 3.31 car before ordering my GT TP and the 3.73's in the TP, to me, made a huge difference. The base GT felt sluggish compared to the TP. Granted, my test drive was just that - I got on it but didn't completely thrash it.

 

3.55, best of both worlds imo. (as far as our V6 anyway) I sometimes miss having my '12 with 3.55 but I have 3.31 now and I like them. I know I'm not gonna pay to go up to 3.55 as the cost outweighs the gain and 3.73 kills the gas mileage to much for my taste plus I'm not trying to have all that low end.

 

I love my 3.73's and my car came with 3.31's and to me the difference was significant. Only thing that makes me want to change to 3.55's is the symphony that plays on decel with the 3.73's. It seems like its hit or miss with gear whine with the .73's some people get none and some get it from the factory. Ill probably change them out in a few months for 3.55 but i will miss the Acceleration. My brothers car has 3.55's and when our cars were identical in mods i beat him by a cars lenght 5 out of 5 times at the track and put 2 cars on him on a 40-150 sprint on the interstate 3 times back to back.

 

I drove 3.31 and 3.73 back to back, I really like the 3.73s more for daily driving. It felt to me like the 3.73s were always in the power band whereas the 3.31s had dead spots that required a down shift, which mostly sucks if you're in low-ish speed in second gear and can't downshift.

 

IMO the only real way to test whether or not there is a difference ( which there is) would be to have a professional drag racer who is very consistent and have him take the same car that has the higher gears down the track at least three times taking the average time down then swapping the lower gear in there and do the same then compare numbers.

 

I like my 3.73 gears, but I would prefer 3.55's I think would be a bit more suited to the way I drive the car. I would like 3rd and 4th gear to be a bit taller. Regarding acceleration, gearing would ideally be set by the type of race for example with 1/4 mile, 3.73's on the GT may require a shift to 5th depending on power. I would rather have 3.55's in that case as you reach the 1/4 mark in 4th right below redline. For the boss, 3.73's are probably best because with the higher redline you don't need a shift to 5th before the 1/4 mile mark

In a road course it could vary but I think 3.55's are overall the best option.

For just street driving I would choose 3.31's

 

With that being said why don't you just swap some 4.11 and hit 5500 rpms at the end of the 1/4 mile

 

I love 3.31's, prime for LONG highway pulls that we do out here. I can wind the car way out

 

Im thinkin bout throwin some gears in my sixxer. Currently have 2.73 and theres alot to be desired in how the power is put down below 3k in almost any gear. Its great for highway cruises but i want more grunt! 3.31 geared sixxers are quicker off the line for sure but it still feels a lil lacking in lower rpms. Anyone that has 3.55 on a 11+ sixxer care to share their experience?

 

Look at post #10....

 

Oh, I personally don't care about 1/4 mile, I was just giving an example. For what I use the car for, 3.55's would be the perfect speeds in gears in general.

For different applications, different gearing makes sense.

 

I also noticed some lower mpg's with my 3:73 gears compared to my old 2:73 gears. I'm getting 26 mpg highway doing 70 mph. For me I wouldn't do any less than 3:73's and love the extra low end power and lord knows our v6 models could use all the low end help. Lol