[sixty8fastback]

So, sorry if this has come up recently, or is a common question, but I'm in need of an answer here...

I have a '96 GT, and I'm changing the gears and I'm pretty sure I want 3.73's. I know what they do, how they work, and how to install them. I'm wondering by how much do (you think) they lower your top speed? Just say its a stock 'Stang. Is the top speed noticebly lower? Is there a way to figure it out exactly (formula)?

Thanks.

 

[HMUSN]

you don't have enough power to ever reach your top speed.

areo dynamics will stop that.

welcome to the forums

Howstuffworks "How Gear Ratios Work"

 

[68 dlxcoupe]

I've been 155 with my 3:73's

 

[sixty8fastback]

155 is pretty impressive haha. Thanks.

 

[stanglifemike]

Welcome to the forums

 

[97GT4.6]

I'm not sure, ive gotten up to about what my speedo says is 138 which is about 128 with my gears.

 

[Droptop Snake]

you don't have enough power to ever reach your top speed.

aerodynamics will stop that.

I hear ya. I've got a .50:1 6th gear. I should look up what my theoretical top speed is with 3.73s.

 

[dc1515]

yea im a bit confused as well.. i have heard if you get new gears your top speed gets all f$*%'d up.. is this true? if i get 4.10s will i be slowed down at higher speeds?

 

[97GT4.6]

no you won't be slowed down at higher speeds, but you top speed is reduced because you are turning more RPMS

 

[97GT4.6]

and like HMUSN said, aerodynamics come into play hardcore at high speeds. you should worry about having more power, and lots of open road with no cops versus redlining it in 5th

 

[sean 96 gt]

I've pinned my speedo past 150 with stock gears and wasn't near redline. With my 3:73s I've only been 140, but getting closer to redline. It still has enough gear left to go up to 150 with 3:73s, for sure.

 

[HMUSN]

there is enough gear with 4:10's too.

 

[Ryan Paymaster]

I'm going to say if you are worried about top speed with any gear ratio you better be running the 9's in the 1/4 mile.

You are never ever going to hit top speed in a reasonable or safe amount of time. I don't even think Terminators are worried about it.

Plus, when are you ever going to peg 155? That's for single digit cars.

 

[Droptop Snake]

Found a free program online that does the calculating for you once you've entered tire size and gear ratios. It's called GearCalc. Looks to have been made in the UK, but has options for metric and imperial measurements.

Theoretical top speed for my Viper-spec T56 and 3.73s:

Gear --- Mph per 1000 RPM --- Mph @7000 RPM
----------------------------------------
1 --------- 7.69 -----------------54
2 --------11.50 ------------------80
3 --------15.74 -----------------110
4 --------20.47 -----------------143
5 --------27.66 -----------------194
6 --------40.93 -----------------287


Guess I'd better follow some ricers to the Tacky Aluminum Wing store.

 

[sean 96 gt]

Yea, 3:73s aren't going to hurt your limit you unless you want to go 165+ for some reason. Your speedo only goes to 150 anyways. I've gone 140 with my 3:73s and was about 5000 rpm or so I think.

 

[RavensChild]

120 for me lol. It took about 2 miles to get there or more lol

 

[BLUE OVAL NUT]

The gears should help you pull harder on top-end, my old 96', 5-spd barely made it too 135 mph.

 

[kennyGT]

I hear ya. I've got a .50:1 6th gear. I should look up what my theoretical top speed is with 3.73s.

welcome to MM curtis how long you been browsing hear lol?

 

[BizCutt]

It also depends on tire size, horsepower, etc. I was running 373's with a pretty much stock 4 valve...in 4th gear i would top out 140ish with a 26" tire...went like [email protected] 106...i put the 410's on the same car topped out around 130ish but went..12:[email protected] 109...put the blower on the car and with the 26" tire was topping out @ around 120-125 in 4th..put a 28" tire on the same car topped out around 135....

i like this calculator myself it works pretty darn close each time for me
HI-PERFORMANCE CALCULATORS

 

[RavensChild]

^those are some big tires