stillkickin

Ok, I know this has been asked a 1000 times already. And I have searched the threads...

Just ordered a 2012 GT Premium w/3.73, Brembo, HIDs. This will be a daily driver with a little track time every now and then.

Are the 3.55's really the better gears for a DD? I have plenty of time to modify the order.

Any practical insight appreciated!

S197 GT

3.73s on my DD and I couldn't be happier!

Timeless

Better fuel mileage for sure in the 3.55s.

Question might be if you plan on leaving it bone stock or getting a tune also as this would affect how the stock 3.31s might feel also.

3.73s are fun to drive but require a lot more rowing I imagine than the stock 3.31s as you would drop into 6th as low as 45-50 in 3.73s to save on gas.

3.31s stock though are sluggish in comparison to 3.73s in a majority of your driving.

If I had it to do again, I might seriously consider doing 3.55s as they would probably be a good compromise of both and mine is a daily driver also. I would also appreciate the longer intervals between 4th and 5th gear when doing some spirited WOT driving.

Kona

I have 3.55's in my daily driver, an 11' GT. I really like them. I've never had 3.73's though. My only reference is to the stock 01 GT I drove for about 9 years and the 3.55's in my 11 GT. I will just put it this way, it is much more fun to drive around in my 11 GT.

2010GT

Had 3.73s in my 2010, and just order my 2012 with them too. In the city the car feels so peppy. Always has that feeling that its on its toes and ready to jump.

stillkickin

Thanks guys! Gonna sleep on it and then maybe flip a coin.

YSUsteven

3.55 for better fuel economy, 3.73 for better acceleration (assuming you can shift fast).

falhulk

People here always say that 3.73s require more rowing....its not true under normal driving conditions. You don't rev to 7k and run out of gear constantly on the way to work.

holdover

I drove a 2011GT with 3.73 before I ordered my 2012 with 3.55. 3.73 is impressive and I enjoyed the opportunity to see what it does, but it was doing 1900RPM at 60 or there about, and for what I am buying my 2012 for that is a bit much.

StGry11

Love my 3.73 setup. Wouldn't cry if I had gone with 3.55s though.

Killa-B

This....

postalworker

I had 3.55's in the 05, but ordered the 3.73's in the 11, no regrets. I am never going to race the car but just "wanted" the little extra.......... You will be happy with either
I am sure. The difference probably can't be felt "seat of the pants" and your mileage
will not be all that different, maybe 1-2 mpg. Hell, if I was buying a Mustang for the
mileage, I would have bought the V6 !
Good luck with your new car, you WILL enjoy it.

2K3 Mach

I am not buying the "Better gas miliage" with the 3.55's... I've seen data people have posted saying the Sacrifice with 3.73 over 3.55 on the highway is .1 mpg and .5 mpg compared to the 3.31's.

If you're a 1/4 mile racer, then the 3.55 fans have showed that it traps at a perfect rpm, but the 3.73's will win on the street.

Dewyrussler

Me too. Love the 3:73s.

Some say the 3:73 make you shift more often but for me, I haven't noticed that so much. In commuting to/from work, I use my own "skip shift" usually going from 1-3-5 and it does it easily (doesn't even really feel like I'm skipping gears). But then when I feel the need for some speed...all six gears and the 3:73s are there to answer the call.

The bottom line is that you won't go wrong with the 55s or the 73s...but I would likely not pick the 31s unless you do a great deal of highway driving. Let us know what you pick.

Hope this helps!

LEwis26

Nobody should be buying a Mustang GT and then worry about milage.

It's a V8 sports car. Drive it like one. 3.73's all the way

falhulk

I dont understand this? 1900rpms at 60 is a bit ,uch for what you paid for? What does one have to do with the other. 1900 is not particularly high either. The rpm diffrence between 3.55's and 3.73's is NOT that great.

99mstng

Can anyone comment as to what the rpm differences are in 6th at 70mph with 3.73 vs 3.55? I am having the same debate and wonder how big of a MPG factor it really is.

I get everyone who says, who cares its a mustang don't buy it if you want good mileage, but it's still worth debating if it's a daily driver as mine will be.

David Young

My last car was a 4 cylinder and it did 2250 r.p.m. at 60 m.p.h. Anything below 2000 r.p.m. at 60 m.p.h. is still 'IMO' great for everday driving.

MRGTX

1. Nothing wrong with wanting your cake and eating it too. I have no doubt that there is a certain rate of fuel consumption that would be unacceptable to you too.

B.) This is NOT a sports car.

MRGTX

FWIW, I work for a living and a 5-6% mpg improvement is important to me and it did factor into my decision to go.with 3.55s....as well as using the loud pedal sparingly.
For those of you guys who don't care about mpg, more power to you. I suggest never shifting out of 3rd gear.