2010-2014 Mustang Information on The S197 {GenII}

Maybe buying the 3.55 was a mistake

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 4/13/11 | 04:06 PM
  #1  
danimal15's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bullitt Member
 
Joined: May 19, 2010
Posts: 275
Likes: 7
From: Chicago area
Maybe buying the 3.55 was a mistake

After owning my 2011 GT for more than 6 months, I'm starting to think buying the 3.55 was a mistake and I should have gotten the 3.31.

I drive mainly in traffic and rarely get out on the open freeway, and I'm shifting way too often. I don't know if things would be a lot different with the 3.31, but with the 3.55, I find that 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears are almost useless. The RPMs climb so fast that the car never feels comfortable until it's in 4th. I drive in fifth gear at 40 MPH and above. So I'm shifting five times just to get up to speed and start moving along, then I hit a traffic light and the whole process starts again.

I wonder if any 3.31 owners can tell me if they have this experience or if their cars are better in congested areas, and also I wonder if I can change to 3.31.
Old 4/13/11 | 04:09 PM
  #2  
adblink's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: July 4, 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
I have 3.31s as well and I almost feel the same way! Maybe not quite as bad but close.

1st and 2nd are pretty useless. In the city I do 60km/h (38mph) and do that in 4th. I have to get out of 1st before I'm even through the intersection.
Old 4/13/11 | 04:23 PM
  #3  
cdynaco's Avatar
Post *****
 
Joined: December 14, 2007
Posts: 20,005
Likes: 4
From: State of Jefferson Mountains USA
Originally Posted by danimal15
I drive in fifth gear at 40 MPH and above.
OMG - are ever breaking 2K/2500? Your engine must be so carboned up by now.
Old 4/13/11 | 04:33 PM
  #4  
Joe_in_Naples's Avatar
Bullitt Member
 
Joined: February 21, 2011
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Naples FL
Should have gotten an auto if you are driving in that much heavy traffic.
Old 4/13/11 | 04:38 PM
  #5  
danimal15's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bullitt Member
 
Joined: May 19, 2010
Posts: 275
Likes: 7
From: Chicago area
Yes - I do break 2,000 and 2,500. Of course. But I'm not always revving the car up.

I thought about buying an auto, but I really do enjoy shifting and would miss that. I just didn't think I'd be shifting this much!
Old 4/13/11 | 04:57 PM
  #6  
Intervention's Avatar
GT Member
 
Joined: July 16, 2008
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
With 3.73's...

I start in 2nd in normal traffic/driving and go right to 4th. Takes some effort out of driving the car
Old 4/13/11 | 05:13 PM
  #7  
Lancel's Avatar
Mach 1 Member
 
Joined: April 22, 2010
Posts: 903
Likes: 0
Replace "effort" with "fun" and you have my opinion on this. Seriously, I actually enjoy shifting gears even in traffic, though I do avoid bumper-to-bumper nightmares generally. Even then having 3.73s actually helps in these situations if you ask me, makes plodding along in 1st at 1k RPM only about 5-6 MPH. Handy sometimes. Still gets annoying when the jerk in front of you is going uphill at 2 MPH.
Old 4/13/11 | 05:18 PM
  #8  
Thomas S's Avatar
Shelby GT350 Member
 
Joined: April 29, 2005
Posts: 2,133
Likes: 5
Wrong, you should have gotten 3.73s!
Old 4/13/11 | 05:19 PM
  #9  
Lancel's Avatar
Mach 1 Member
 
Joined: April 22, 2010
Posts: 903
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Thomas S
Wrong, you should have gotten 3.73s!
That's basically my post in a nutshell.
Old 4/13/11 | 05:21 PM
  #10  
SD6's Avatar
SD6
Bullitt Member
 
Joined: August 11, 2010
Posts: 417
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC
Originally Posted by Intervention
With 3.73's...

I start in 2nd in normal traffic/driving and go right to 4th. Takes some effort out of driving the car
^^^ I do this as well with 3.55's and normal "stuck in traffic" type driving.
Then when I want to do spirited driving, don't mind running up the gear shifts
Old 4/13/11 | 05:24 PM
  #11  
SteelTownStang's Avatar
Shelby GT500 Member
 
Joined: July 1, 2006
Posts: 2,910
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Thomas S
Wrong, you should have gotten 3.73s!
Another vote for 3.73s...
Old 4/13/11 | 05:30 PM
  #12  
jokerstars's Avatar
Mach 1 Member
 
Joined: April 15, 2010
Posts: 999
Likes: 0
From: DC Metro Area
Originally Posted by cdynaco
OMG - are ever breaking 2K/2500? Your engine must be so carboned up by now.
I sometimes cruise around at like 1700 rpm. Are you saying this is bad? :-P
Old 4/13/11 | 05:37 PM
  #13  
hahnsolo78's Avatar
Mach 1 Member
 
Joined: January 14, 2011
Posts: 617
Likes: 0
From: minnesota
I went with 3.73's and I thought like you for a short time and know after 6100 miles and counting I must say I really love the set up I have, their is power everywhere even in 5th. I just love that

FORD FOR LIFE
Old 4/13/11 | 05:43 PM
  #14  
11SHELBYGT500's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: March 9, 2011
Posts: 16,041
Likes: 6
You don't have to go thru all the gears. Skip shift
Old 4/13/11 | 05:48 PM
  #15  
cdynaco's Avatar
Post *****
 
Joined: December 14, 2007
Posts: 20,005
Likes: 4
From: State of Jefferson Mountains USA
Originally Posted by jokerstars
I sometimes cruise around at like 1700 rpm. Are you saying this is bad? :-P
I understand cruising, but I believe in an Italian tune up once a day. (After the engine is completely warmed up of course - not just the water temp). These are high revving engines - so continued low rpm driving loads them up.

Last edited by cdynaco; 4/13/11 at 05:49 PM.
Old 4/13/11 | 05:59 PM
  #16  
Arak-Nafein's Avatar
V6 Member
 
Joined: April 22, 2005
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Love my 3.73s & wouldn't trade them.
Old 4/13/11 | 06:26 PM
  #17  
Boomer's Avatar
I Have No Life
 
Joined: January 30, 2004
Posts: 10,446
Likes: 12
From: Canada
Dear lord people...
I shift at 3,000-3,500 when I'm granny'ing it.
Old 4/13/11 | 06:26 PM
  #18  
Double-EDad's Avatar
Cobra R Member
 
Joined: June 17, 2010
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern Virginia
Originally Posted by Joe_in_Naples
Should have gotten an auto if you are driving in that much heavy traffic.
This.
Old 4/13/11 | 06:26 PM
  #19  
Jott's Avatar
Bullitt Member
 
Joined: May 22, 2010
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, ON
1-3-5-6
Old 4/13/11 | 06:27 PM
  #20  
karman's Avatar
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
 
Joined: January 4, 2006
Posts: 3,907
Likes: 31
Talking

There is not that much difference between 3.31 and 3.55.
Do the math.
The engine is just way too powerful for you.


Quick Reply: Maybe buying the 3.55 was a mistake



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:50 AM.