Gear swap?

[krishelnino]

I went from 3.73's to 4.09's at a total cost of $611 ($225 labor and the rest parts / tools / fluids) and at that price it was very worthwhile, but I removed and reinstalled the differential myself. It created additional force to the road from the rear wheels equivalent to if I had increased the engine torque by 40 ft-lbs. Normal dealer cost is around $1200 plus parts, 2/3 of the dealer labor time is removing and reinstalling the diff. In my mind the most important thing you can do is find someone you trust to install the ring and pinion into the housing.

How much would it cost on average for a straight pumpkin/carrier assembly swap? I have the 3.55 and looking at 3.73 Torsen differential carrier assemblies going for around 600ish.

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[Mikepol2]

How much would it cost on average for a straight pumpkin/carrier assembly swap? I have the 3.55 and looking at 3.73 Torsen differential carrier assemblies going for around 600ish.

All I can tell you is Ford dealers will probably charge you 8-10 hours of labor for it. Try a lot of places because prices for this are all over the place but if you don't use a dealer I'd try to find someone who has done it before on a 2015+.

 

[krishelnino]

All I can tell you is Ford dealers will probably charge you 8-10 hours of labor for it. Try a lot of places because prices for this are all over the place but if you don't use a dealer I'd try to find someone who has done it before on a 2015+.

Ok thanks, i do have a very good local mechanic who works on a lot of S550s. He did a lot of suspension work on mine for reasonable prices. I'll try asking him. Is changing out differential easier compared to swapping gears?

 

[ice445]

Ok thanks, i do have a very good local mechanic who works on a lot of S550s. He did a lot of suspension work on mine for reasonable prices. I'll try asking him. Is changing out differential easier compared to swapping gears?

It's much easier, yes. Swapping gears and setting the new ring and pinion is a process that requires knowledge and preferably experience. Failure to set the correct lash means you'll grind the gears to nothing or potentially blow up the diff entirely if you mess up bad enough. Swapping the diff as a whole unit is still annoying but more straightforward, gotta pull the axle shafts which means outer knuckles, brakes, driveshaft, and some other misc items. Takes a while.

 

[Mikepol2]

Agree with @ice445, actually installing the ring and pinion correctly takes skill and experience that I don't think anyone can learn from a Youtube video. It's almost an art. But it took me about 5 hours to remove the differential the first time and another 3-4 hours to reinstall it after the new gears were installed, and I did it all based on stuff I learned online.

 

[Sivi70980]

Actually getting quotes now from a few places in WA (home) and CO (current work site). If a CO place is cheap enough, I'll drive the car here for a bit and have it done. So far just one reply from a WA shop at almost $1600 to remove, change gears, and reinstall. Hope some other places can come in a little cheaper. Anyone know a guy in WA or CO? lol

 

[krishelnino]

I just found a 3.73 Torsen carrier assembly locally for about 650. Trying to decide if should get 4.09 gears (more labor costs involved) or get it installed as is...i think even the 3.73 Torsen would be a decent upgrade from my 3.55 Trac Loc LSD right ?

 

[Mikepol2]

I just found a 3.73 Torsen carrier assembly locally for about 650. Trying to decide if should get 4.09 gears (more labor costs involved) or get it installed as is...i think even the 3.73 Torsen would be a decent upgrade from my 3.55 Trac Loc LSD right ?

All I can tell you is that I had the 3.73's with the Torsen and am happy that I made the switch to the 4.09's...I'd vote while you have it out get those 4.09's installed. Or save your $650 and use that on getting the 4.09's put into your existing differential, I think you'll notice the 4.09's more than the difference between the Torsen and the trac-loc unless you're tracking your car.

 

[krishelnino]

All I can tell you is that I had the 3.73's with the Torsen and am happy that I made the switch to the 4.09's...I'd vote while you have it out get those 4.09's installed. Or save your $650 and use that on getting the 4.09's put into your existing differential, I think you'll notice the 4.09's more than the difference between the Torsen and the trac-loc unless you're tracking your car.

I really wish you were closer i'd love to see how the 4.09 gears feel...yeah i'm planning on taking it to more track days this year or probably next, so i was eyeing the Torsen as a decent upgrade. Beside i hate how the Trac-loc doesn't put down the power properly on bad surfaces during turns

 

[Vstang2]

Any updates on your gears? I wanna swap gears as it appears the best seat of your pants mod for the 18+. I think a good tune with a little suspension work and a touch of better shifting would really make an 18+ with 4.09's shine.

 

[AZ18yote]

Any updates on your gears? I wanna swap gears as it appears the best seat of your pants mod for the 18+. I think a good tune with a little suspension work and a touch of better shifting would really make an 18+ with 4.09's shine.

I would argue tuning for e is the best bang for your buck actually...

 

[Vstang2]

I would argue tuning for e is the best bang for your buck actually...

Well I didn't count E as it's not available to everyone , here in Tally we only have E10

 

[Sivi70980]

Well I didn't count E as it's not available to everyone , here in Tally we only have E10

Same for me, no E anywhere near my daily commute. Going gears and the ford power pack and calling it good.

 

[AZ18yote]

Well I didn't count E as it's not available to everyone , here in Tally we only have E10

Fair enough. Then ya gears would result in more butt dyno satisfaction per $ vs something like the Ford Performance pack.

 

[Vstang2]

Same for me, no E anywhere near my daily commute. Going gears and the ford power pack and calling it good.

I've done some Steeda suspension work already , I'm thinking gears , a new shifter and gears will make a big difference. Swapping trans fluid to BG next week

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