OK I really don't anything about cars but I grew up in the Sixties around friends with all the usual suspects, and have always wanted a "fast car." Last year my wife and I got a 2012 V6 with Performance Package and loved it. Coming from raising kids and having Hondas, SUVs, etc, it was great to have a quasi sports car! It seemed really fast to us and there was nothing we didn't like about it except...we kept seeing GTs everywhere and wondering JUST HOW MUCH difference there would be. Test drove one and that was the end of that story.

So a few months ago got a new 2014 GT base model but I ordered it with the 3.73 rear option, based on seemingly every post I could read about the GT. "If you get anything extra, get that..." they all seemed to say.

I think I got the impression that the option would mean shorter shifting in each gear, that is, I'd have to shift to 2nd say, sooner than I would have in the V6. Without them side by side, I truthfully can't say I notice that. What I do notice though, is that once in 2nd gear, if you get on it, this thing feels like it's going to lift off the ground! Wow. Lots of fun.

So at this point I'm wondering if that's all just the bigger engine or it's the 3.73s. I know the answer is probably both, but any clarification I will drop into my "learning about the car you just bought" basket.

Thx
Tom

 

Tom I think the biggest driver is being that you are feeling 110 lb-ft more torque. At the end of the day torque is what moves a vehicle. The gearing helps put the car into the RPM where max torque is being made by the motor quicker.

 

Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races. ~Carroll Shelby

 

The V6 cars really are fast, as fast or faster than some of the really bad a** 60's muscle cars.

Conversely, the GT is way faster than almost any of the 60's muscle cars. If you could take a 2011-2014 Mustang GT back in time to the 60's you could wipe up the streets with it.

I have owned both, a '12 V6, and now my '14 GT that has the 3.73's and it is just outrageous, but my V6 car was pretty quick as well.

Anyway, to answer your question, yes, it is a combination of the increased power and the gearing, but mostly the increased power.

 

Exactly what you thought and what everyone says, torque and gearing.
Gears help put it down faster.

Btw, congratulations on the '14!

 

I own a completely stock 13 GT with 3:73's. Unless I'm shifting around 5k or higher, I find it very easy to drive almost tame for everyday driving. I think once you drive the car (more) and get familiar with the V8 you'll love it and it'll be 2nd nature. Scott

 

Congrats and welcome op. You remind me of me when I first test drove a 5.0. Like you said, the rest is history. Enjoy those 3.73s

 

Sounds to me like he is already head over heels in love with the car now.

 

I have a '14 GT with the 3.73 gear... Gotta come out of 1st really fast, 2nd is an incredible gear, and no really noticeable difference 3rd through 6th.

 

What about the 3.55 gear, is that a good compromise gear? Are the 3.73's more prone to the gear whine? I've been tempted if the rebates rise a bit to maybe get a base GT with the 3.55's as the only option and then down the road maybe update wheels, etc. Plus it would not be in black!!! I love my car but really would like the extra torque of the v8 and even more, the sound. But if it doesn't work out, I still really like my current car....

 

I hardly ever use 1st gear with the 3.73's. For drag racing, 3.73's are probably preferred as 4th would top out around 115 with a redline bump. With stock tuning, 4th tops out at about 109 based on my experiences. For road courses, 3.55's are better suited to this car. 3rd is often a bit too short and 4th is a bit to long coming out of corners.

If I could have ordered the track pack with 3.55's, that would have been the perfect choice in my opinion

 

Yeah I've wondered about that going back in time thing....I wonder how my GT would stand up against one of my friend's 1967 Chevelle Super Sport with a 396, and I believe he said 411s in the rear whatever that is....that thing was insane to me. But the GT, wow it's insane as well. Came home and hit 2nd gear again tonight and gave it some push and wow. It's like it is going to lift up off the ground lol

Yeah love this car, have watched "Bullitt" way too many times for my own good

thx
Tom

 

Thanks much...and to everyone else. It's a big deal for us and my wife and I just love it. Our kids are too big to ride with us everywhere anymore so we saw that creak of daylight and said 'Hey let's have some fun for a change" and we are sure doing that!

Tom

 

I agree with dmichaels, and I think 3.55 would be a great track day gear.

But for the street I absolutely love the 3.73 in my 2014 GT Track Pack. Top half of second gear gives jaw dropping acceleration .

A lot of people talk about first gear being useless in 3.73 cars. I personally disagree. I use first at every take-off. Sure, it's pretty short, but just a few mph shorter than with 3.55s or 3.31s. I usually shift to 2nd (or 3rd, or even 4th) by 20mph anyway.

Either way, 3.55 would be a great gear choice if you plan on track days with your Mustang, or if you're not a big fan of frequent shifting in a manual.

 

That's what a nice loud exhaust is for--to drown out such sounds.

Seriously though, I don't notice any whine at all with my 3.73's. I do have GT500 axle-backs, which aren't even particularly loud, but pretty much all I ever hear in my car is my exhaust, except for the rare occasions when I decide to listen to my stereo instead.

I can see valid reasons for people wanting other gearings for track or racing, but for street driving, which is what 95% of us ever do, I wouldn't go with any other gearing on a GT, if you like the feeling of the seat pressing hard into your back when you take off.

 

Stereo? What stereo?

My windows are always down so I can hear Mr Coyote

 

I have the anemic 3.31's in my GT. It was a big mistake. The car feels like it has less torque than my old 91 Z28 with the 305TPI. Its not even that exciting to drive the car. Yeah its a fast car, but it doesn't really "feel" fast or plant you in the seat. I test drove two different 3.73 cars before getting this one and man those were fun cars. I'd advise everyone to go with 3.55's or better!!

 

I still have my almost stock 67 SS 396 Chevelle 411s , that I bought as my first car in 1973 at the ripe old age of 15 in PERFECT condition for $1200 (black). My 13 GT is quicker/faster. BUT the SS 396 is WAY cooler !! Scott

 

Just adding to what is becoming the 'gearing' thread. I have a '12GTvert. All verts are 3.31. The car is still scary fast and it certainly does plant the rider in their seat. Oh and I regularly get 23 mpg when the temps are above freezing.

 

My wife's '11 GT has 3:31s on 18" wheels and I can feel the difference in 1st on equal RPM shifts compared to my 13 Boss. Doesn't pull as hard, anyone who likes to shift in the upper end of the rpm range will appreciate the steeper ratio. My wife granny shifts her 6spd at around 2200 rpm 99% of the time, so her car is just right for her technique.