available with a 3.55 axle ratio as well!

As I've, and others, have covered back in prior posts going back to 2010 when the 2011 GT 5.0's came out, the 3.55 axle ratio is the best ratio for the GT with it's 6800 rpm red line and rev limiter of 7000 rpms (and therefore shift points) and putting the power down.
And ESPECIALLY if you plan to mod the 5.0 to make more power.

There is a reason why FORD themselves put the 3.55 ratio in the
GT500 (and for those who want to say "but the SVT Performance package comes with 3.73's, I say to them, that is ONLY because the SVT Performance package comes with taller wheels/tires so the 3.73 ratio actually equals the 3.55 ratio of the standard GT500 wheels/tires).
And now with even MORE power in the 2013 GT500 and an even higher redline, they are dropping it to the 3.31 rear axle ratio, of course for better control and being able to put more power down without spinning and less time robbing shifting on tracks.

The 3.73 works better in the Boss 302 for two main reasons:
1. 7500 rpm redline (which allows 60+ in 2nd and 1/4 mile in 4th like a GT does with it's 7000 rpm rev limiter and 3.55 gears)
2. Launch control (so you are not dealing with the excessive wheel spin of launching hard)

But honestly I'd still prefer a 3.55 in a Boss 302 as well, if modding for more than stock power.



Anybody do a rear end gear swap? And what did it cost you?

 

That's basically for one particular use of the car.

I for one think the track pack is perfect with 3.73's and wouldn't change it.

When they thought track and you thought track, you guys are on a perceptive disconnect as to the intended meaning of such.

For the 1/4 mi, if using the stock intake, probably better off with the 3.55's.

 

I meant for both road course and drag strip.
The 3.73's are perfect for both on a stock car, but if you mod where you add a bunch of power, then traction becomes an issue with the 3.73's coming out of corners on a road course, and on the drag strip if you mod the car so it traps more than 122 mph it then requires a shift to 5th at the strip, which kills more time than what you give up going from 3.73's to 3.55's
Plus with the additional power from mods, you'll be less likely to spin as much when at WOT or in the shift to 2nd with 3.55's.
With more power comes less traction. More traction + easier to put to the ground = faster on all accounts.
The reason the current GT500's come with 3.55's and even the more powerful 2013 GT500 is dropping to 3.31's as with the additional power, even the 3.55's are too much.

 

i would have gotten the 3.55 myself if they offered it with the track package, but i personally would love to see how the 3.73s perform, if anything its pretty simple to put in 3.55 gears. ill see how i like it in the 1/4 and around some road courses and decide from there

 

When I test drove, I was having a hard time deciding between the 3.73 and the 3.55s. Unfortunately, the dealer only had 3.31s and 3.73s available to test drive. I could feel a pretty big difference between those two. Ultimately, I went with the 3.73 and am very happy with them. Yes, if I were going down a drag strip, I'd have to make a shift right near 60, but the 3.73s just make the car feel more alive-like it wants to hop off the pavement.