axle ratio and the 2011
MOTM Committee Member
Joined: April 17, 2006
Posts: 9,201
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
Gears are - by definition - a torque multiplier. So, yes, you will definitely feel quicker acceleration just in everyday driving. Steeper gearing is one of the more gratifying mods for our Mustangs and is, therefor, one of the most commonly done mods.
Back to that torque multiplication. Let's say you take an '11 GT that has 390 lb ft or torque and has 3.31 gears. Adding 4.10 gears yields about 25% more gearing, which would give the same seat of the pants feeling as keeping the stock 3.31 gears, but adding 25% more torque (up to 485 lb ft torque). Can you imagine how awesome the car would feel with 485 lb ft torque? That's what a stock '11 GT with 4.10 gears would feel like.
You'll find less need to downshift, as each gear will pull much harder than stock. You'll lose just a little bit of fuel economy (maybe 1-2 mpg at the very most on the highway). The 3.73 gears from the factory will be a nice upgrade for your intended driving. Go for it and do not fear the gear!
Back to that torque multiplication. Let's say you take an '11 GT that has 390 lb ft or torque and has 3.31 gears. Adding 4.10 gears yields about 25% more gearing, which would give the same seat of the pants feeling as keeping the stock 3.31 gears, but adding 25% more torque (up to 485 lb ft torque). Can you imagine how awesome the car would feel with 485 lb ft torque? That's what a stock '11 GT with 4.10 gears would feel like.
You'll find less need to downshift, as each gear will pull much harder than stock. You'll lose just a little bit of fuel economy (maybe 1-2 mpg at the very most on the highway). The 3.73 gears from the factory will be a nice upgrade for your intended driving. Go for it and do not fear the gear!
Jason, I drove a leftover 09 and a 10 with the 3.73s back to back. The 09 had the 3.31s. Granted, the 15 extra hp may have made a difference, but the car picked up so much more in 1st-3rd gear. It was also easier for me to take off in 1st (I have pretty limited experience driving a manual on the street) because the engine revs were higher in the 10. I think if I get my 11 I'm *definitely* going with the 3.73s.
Hey Patrick you hear anymore about those Recaros yet?
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 6, 2006
Posts: 14,053
Likes: 166
From: Bay Area, CA
Have not. 
. Guessing it should be in the order guide as a "late availability option" if they're even available on the GT. I would bet (as Overboost suggested) that they will be a GT500 option only. Probably a part of the SVT Performance Pack.
I'm going to wait a little bit more...I'm really looking at 10s in my area again because I'm not sure I can justify the pretty much $10k increase over the '10 (with rebates and discounts now) just to get the color combo I want. I don't care about the extra power. 315 is definitely enough for me. I just want SG and Saddle interior. I've found a few '10 GTs with Elec/Glass Roof/Comf/3.73s but they're all black on black. I've had dark charcoal interiors for so long now and I want something different. And I don't really want a black car. BUT I could vinyl wrap the **** thing whatever color I want and have the whole interior redone with some Katzkin covers for like $3500. We'll see......hopefully Ford pulled the pricing guide and is adjusting it due to the outcry from our wallets!
. Guessing it should be in the order guide as a "late availability option" if they're even available on the GT. I would bet (as Overboost suggested) that they will be a GT500 option only. Probably a part of the SVT Performance Pack.I'm going to wait a little bit more...I'm really looking at 10s in my area again because I'm not sure I can justify the pretty much $10k increase over the '10 (with rebates and discounts now) just to get the color combo I want. I don't care about the extra power. 315 is definitely enough for me. I just want SG and Saddle interior. I've found a few '10 GTs with Elec/Glass Roof/Comf/3.73s but they're all black on black. I've had dark charcoal interiors for so long now and I want something different. And I don't really want a black car. BUT I could vinyl wrap the **** thing whatever color I want and have the whole interior redone with some Katzkin covers for like $3500. We'll see......hopefully Ford pulled the pricing guide and is adjusting it due to the outcry from our wallets!
GT Member
Joined: May 31, 2004
Posts: 158
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I've always set up my gears based on the 1/4 mile dragstrip. I want to cross the finish line in the 1:1 ratio gear. In the new 6-speed manual, that's 5th gear. Assuming that I would mod the car to run about 12 flat at around 115 mph in the 1/4 mile, I'd need 4.88 gears to turn 7K rpm's @ 115 mph. Or, if I planned on crossing through the traps as noted in the quote above, then 3.73 gears might be a little too steep as they'd be about 114 mph @ 7K rpm's. 3.55's would yield 120 mph @ 7K rpm's in 4th.
The 2nd consideration I use for choosing gears is rpm's on the highway. I can't tolerate anything over 3K rpm's at 70 mph. With a .65 overdrive in 6th gear, even 4.88 gears would only be turning 2,800 rpm's at 70 mph. My '07 GT automatic turns the same 2,800 rpm's at 70 mph, but with 4.10 gears, so the '11 GT will allow for more gear while keeping cruising rpm's constant.
So, for my intended use, I would likely pick 4.88 gears (maybe 4.56's?) and make that car scream through 5th gear at the dragstrip.
The 2nd consideration I use for choosing gears is rpm's on the highway. I can't tolerate anything over 3K rpm's at 70 mph. With a .65 overdrive in 6th gear, even 4.88 gears would only be turning 2,800 rpm's at 70 mph. My '07 GT automatic turns the same 2,800 rpm's at 70 mph, but with 4.10 gears, so the '11 GT will allow for more gear while keeping cruising rpm's constant.
So, for my intended use, I would likely pick 4.88 gears (maybe 4.56's?) and make that car scream through 5th gear at the dragstrip.
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: November 14, 2007
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 8
From: Pacific NW USA
Worth noting, the '11 GT is rated at 412 hp with premium fuel (less hp with regular fuel), whereas the '10 GT is rated at 315 hp with regular fuel (premium fuel yields about 10 more hp bringing the '10 GT total to about 325 hp). So, if Ford is going to advertise the premium fuel 412 hp for the '11 GT, I think we should use the same approach with the '10 GT and call it a 325 hp car.
And, yes, 315/325 hp is plenty of power for the vast majority of enthusiasts out there. Thank you for knowing. As your driving skill increases, add more power. Too much too soon is not wise, me thinks. My first car made a whoppin' 105 hp as delivered from the factory. I've worked my way up over the years through small & big block V8's. Several over 400 hp and one that was around 550 flywheel hp. If one of those would have been mine at a young age, I'd likely have died years ago in a fiery crash.
And, yes, 315/325 hp is plenty of power for the vast majority of enthusiasts out there. Thank you for knowing. As your driving skill increases, add more power. Too much too soon is not wise, me thinks. My first car made a whoppin' 105 hp as delivered from the factory. I've worked my way up over the years through small & big block V8's. Several over 400 hp and one that was around 550 flywheel hp. If one of those would have been mine at a young age, I'd likely have died years ago in a fiery crash.
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: November 14, 2007
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 8
From: Pacific NW USA
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 6, 2006
Posts: 14,053
Likes: 166
From: Bay Area, CA
Agreed Brian. My first car was a 95 Contour GL with 150k miles. Had about 120hp. Drove the crap out of it. Next and current car is my 00 v6. Drive the crap out of it. I know my limitations. I know the car. I know that I would be more careful with 400+ hp. We'll see what I end up doing. Gotta save more for a bigger down payment either way.
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