Gearing vs performance

[Blyman93]

Want some educated opinions on a matter. I'm full bolt and tuned, my buddy has a stock STI. Naturally you'd think I'd get him pretty good, however it's pretty close, two or three car lengths by 110mph. I know and have driven it, that his gears are shorter, they just fly. Me having a Base Eco, I have much taller gears.

My question is would it be beneficial to switch to 3.55? Maybe 3.73? I believe the base has 3.31. I've read 3.15 somewhere but pretty sure it's 3.31. The thing to consider is how a turbo hits and the rpm levels. Are taller gears better for staying in the power range longer or 3.31 too tall? Our boost hits immediately and strong where as the STI definitely has a lag till 3300-3500. Cars weigh the same about. Also we both had traction. So I can only attribute this to the gearing. Thoughts?

Sponsored

 

[Juben]

Base automatics have 3.15s. Base manuals have 3.31s. The 3.15 gear cars have a different rear end housing than models with the other gear sets, so they aren't interchangeable. If you have 3.15s, you have to swap the entire housing. If you have 3.31s or 3.55s, you can swap to whatever you'd like.

With that said, you'd see a pretty noticeable difference with 3.73s. I plan on swapping over soon myself (auto).

 

[Slow89]

A safe 91 tune isn't going to pick up much in all honesty so don't worry too much. Also 3.15 do hurt. What size wheels and tires are u running?

 

[Blyman93]

Base automatics have 3.15s. Base manuals have 3.31s. The 3.15 gear cars have a different rear end housing than models with the other gear sets, so they aren't interchangeable. If you have 3.15s, you have to swap the entire housing. If you have 3.31s or 3.55s, you can swap to whatever you'd like.

With that said, you'd see a pretty noticeable difference with 3.73s. I plan on swapping over soon myself (auto).

I'm stick. Would a 355 be worth the money or would it be better to get 373? I remember when we put 373 in our 99gt it was like supercharging the damn thing. Will our turbo nature and motor feel that good? The gears themselves are cheap, it's the install that hurts and differential work is beyond my experience to do comfortably so I only wanna do this once. And man, from another post if your spinning at 40 now, imagine 3.73's...

:cheers:

 

[Blyman93]

A safe 91 tune isn't going to pick up much in all honesty so don't worry too much. Also 3.15 do hurt. What size wheels and tires are u running?

Rtr Tech 7's. 255/275 Pirelli P Zero summers

 

[EAndre]

Rtr Tech 7's. 255/275 Pirelli P Zero summers

I wouldn't mess with the gears to much. I think your better of with better gas

 

[melwff]

The 3:55 is the perfect overall gear, yes the 3:73 will be quicker, but most of the time you will appreciate the lower rpms when cruising with the 3:55.

 

[Blyman93]

Maybe 6th will finally be usable in 373? And either way 355 would be an upgrade. Also increasing octane for me requires meth and that won't be for a bit. So if I can get some better gears to get quick, that'd be awesome in my situation. I envy everyone with e85 stations around them

 

[WhiteyDog]

I like my 3.73's just fine, but melwff does have a point. My 6th gear can cruise along pretty decent, but for me personally, mine isn't a daily. It's a cruise around, rip around, weekend toy when it's nice weather. I don't take long trips in it and the 3.73's are perfect for what I use the car for.

 

[Blyman93]

I like my 3.73's just fine, but melwff does have a point. My 6th gear can cruise along pretty decent, but for me personally, mine isn't a daily. It's a cruise around, rip around, weekend toy when it's nice weather. I don't take long trips in it and the 3.73's are perfect for what I use the car for.

I'll prob do 355. Mines a weekend, fun car as well but we take a trip to Cali every year which is like 1000 miles round trip. My 6th is pretty useless unless I'm doing 85 cuz it's just too low and if any incline hits you have to input quite a bit of throttle which I'm sure isn't that great on mileage. I usually stay 5th but the 355 might bump me to a higher rpm more suitable for the type of up and down highway we have over here. Anyone ever swap gears themselves?? I've been doing everything myself so far but that's just bolt ons, plugs, etc. I work with tools,oil,metal for a living so the labor and figure out isn't bad. Just not sure of the nature of the job and making sure aligning pieces and proper lubrication could be done myself

 

[WhiteyDog]

I'll prob do 355. Mines a weekend, fun car as well but we take a trip to Cali every year which is like 1000 miles round trip. My 6th is pretty useless unless I'm doing 85 cuz it's just too low and if any incline hits you have to input quite a bit of throttle which I'm sure isn't that great on mileage. I usually stay 5th but the 355 might bump me to a higher rpm more suitable for the type of up and down highway we have over here. Anyone ever swap gears themselves?? I've been doing everything myself so far but that's just bolt ons, plugs, etc. I work with tools,oil,metal for a living so the labor and figure out isn't bad. Just not sure of the nature of the job and making sure aligning pieces and proper lubrication could be done myself

Then it sounds as if the 3.55's would be better for you. They're probably a better all-around mix than the 3.73's. Giving you a nicer highway ride, but also not skimping too much on the rip around stuff.

 

[ronemca]

I wouldn't mess with the gears to much. I think your better of with better gas

'Curious to learn what you mean with this ^ ^ comment(?)

I'm in an EB M/T w 3.55, and I think it's perfect, BUT...

Man oh man do I wish first was a little taller!! If I feel like jetting away from a stoplight, it reminds me of a pick-up truck (first gear is mostly for stump-pulling) Even a ***tbox car is well ahead before I change.

 

[EAndre]

'Curious to learn what you mean with this ^ ^ comment(?)

I'm in an EB M/T w 3.55, and I think it's perfect, BUT...

Man oh man do I wish first was a little taller!! If I feel like jetting away from a stoplight, it reminds me of a pick-up truck (first gear is mostly for stump-pulling) Even a ***tbox car is well ahead before I change.

Basically he would gain more if he altered his fuel over the 3.55 gears. I wouldn't mind going to 3.55 but the cost over the gain wouldn't be worth it unless you know how to do it yourself. I wouldn't recommend changing them out unless you really know what your doing.

 

[Berstuck]

loaded pumpkin on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2015-Ford-M...ash=item4b1245ba3f:g:db8AAOSwdGFYqn3P&vxp=mtr
make them an offer for 5 or 600 and see if they take it?

 

[DavidHuff]

I'm stick. Would a 355 be worth the money or would it be better to get 373? I remember when we put 373 in our 99gt it was like supercharging the damn thing. Will our turbo nature and motor feel that good? The gears themselves are cheap, it's the install that hurts and differential work is beyond my experience to do comfortably so I only wanna do this once. And man, from another post if your spinning at 40 now, imagine 3.73's...

:cheers:

I have great guy in Salem,OR that is a expert in setting up gears.These guys are not easy to find.

Sponsored