Mrsuitcase

Hello,

My question is about gear ratios. Please forgive my ignorance in this matter.

Is the 3.31 Gear Ratio worth it in a v6 automatic? Yes, I said an automatic transmission ("happy wife, happy life"). Now, I know from reviews that the 3.31 ratios from the performance package offers a great improvement in acceleration for manual transmission. However, I'll be getting the pony package with the thinner 18" wheel/tire setup and it will be an automatic.

Is the 3.31 going to put a bigger smile on my face, or will the automatic + 18" wheels become a factor and the car won't have enough grip to take advantage?

Just curious what the experts think.

Thanks,
Mrsuitcase.

Ltngdrvr

The 3.31's will help acceleration but will cost a little in fuel economy.

You will be ordering them as an option on the car?

Mrsuitcase

Since I'm still waiting for a build date, and I have a little extra money, I'm considering adding the 3.31 as an option.

WhiteBird00

I updated my 'vert from 2.73 to 3.31 (not available from the factory) because I wanted a little more low end torque without giving up significant mileage. I have been extremely happy with my choice. The car still doesn't feel like a V8 but that wasn't what I was looking for. It is noticeably more responsive and I still get 28-29 mpg on the highway.

Mine is a manual but manual vs. automatic really makes no difference in terms of what changing gears accomplishes. Your actual numbers will be different but the overall results will be similar.

SoFlaBoss

Definitely, get the optional 3.31 rear axle. We ordered them on my wife's 2011 automatic Mustang Club of America build and couldn't be happier. The car still gets 18-20 mpg in the city and up to 28 on the highway.

Ltngdrvr

Not a vert right? 3.31's not available on verts.

Don't wait too long or you won't be able to change the order.

ace72ace

Those gears would really add pep to you sixxer. Have you considered ordering the Recaros ? Worth every penny, either cloth or leather...

Mrsuitcase

OMG. You guys are rapidly turning a want into a NEED! Calling my dealer first thing tomorrow. Hope it's not too late!

radioguy1

....

WhiteBird00

He's talking about getting his existing order for a new car modified to include the optional 3.31 gears from the factory because the order hasn't been assigned a build date yet.

Manbo

Having 2.73's in my sixxer... get the 3.31's. Just do it. Don't think about it.
I love my car, but the 3.31's just give it more go, but maintain a decent highway drive.

TomServo92

I'm very happy with the 3.31s in my car.

cfraser

The 3.31s really make it seem responsive to the throttle. Plus, even with the lowish city speed limits here, I can almost always drive in 5th or 6th gears. That helps make up for the slightly increased gas consumption you'd expect from 3.31 ...probably just about a wash in the city where I do the majority of my driving these days. i.e. I can cruise at 1000 RPM at typical city/burb speed limits of 50-60 km/h here

2011 Kona Blue

I don't think the 3:31 gears is the way to go and certainly wouldn't keep them if the car came with them. I wouldn't do any less than 3:73 or go with 4:10 gears since you have a six speed automatic. The gears are huge in how the car accelerates off the line and even at higher speeds.

Bucko

It all boils down to what the Mustang is going to be driven as. If it see's more highway type driving, the 3:31 or 3:55 would be a good choice. If the Mustang is going to see more city driving, and wants more "off the line" type accelleration, then the taller 3:73 to 4:10 is going to be the better choice. And of course, the taller gear ratios effect fuel mileage; by how much? depends on the right foot.

It's really in how the car is going to be used/driven to determine which ratio is best.

2011 Kona Blue

Well that's true but all my driving is highway for I live in a rural area. I love my 3:73 gears. Just yesterday I got 28 mpg on highway with cruise control set for 75 mph. For me the fun factor of having much better off line acceleration is more important than getting two too three more mpg's. 3:73 gears are way to go especially because our v6's could use the down low power to make up for the lower torque.

Bucko

Good discription of what you expect and wanted, and that justifys the choice you made.

These types of testimonials are better than the ones I read often about gear selection. For some, its just "cool" to have 4:10 gears, because "they are fast off the line".

2011 Kona Blue

Thanks bro. Certainly I'm not telling anyone that 3:31 gears are garbage. Lol. I was trying to really imoeive

2011 Kona Blue

Thanks bro. Certainly I'm not telling anyone that 3:31 gears are garbage. Lol. I was trying to really improve my stangs overall performance while still getting respectable, decent mpg's. I think that if someday I decided to supercharge having 3:73 gears won't be an issue since I have an automatic. Looking back, I could of gone with 4:10 gears having six speed automatic and would of been good but with that said I love my 3:73 gears and no regrets.

The 3:73 gears really changed the cars driving experience compared to my factory 2:73 gears. Our newer V6 models really lack torque like the older Gt's have. Having 3:73 or 4:10 really helps make up for that short coming of the v6's. It's actually like driving a different mustang when gears like 3:73 paired with a performance tune are added.