New gears

[Kaiser82GT]

Where have some of you taken your rides to install new gears? I'm about to get my 2002 GT back on the road and will be looking to do that mod soon. It's an automatic, so it has a pretty tall 1st gear and I was thinking of getting 4.10's installed since I will not be swapping a manual into the car (I hear 3.73's are better with the shorter manual 1st gear and 4.10's are better with automatics).

If you have any experiences...good or bad...let me know so I know what to avoid and who to avoid if necessary!

[Rancor Keeper]

There really isn't a "better" gear based solely on ratio, it's more about what you're looking for from a performance standpoint. Unless you spend a lot of time on the dragstrip or "traffic light to traffic light" driving, you probably won't even notice the difference between 3.73s & 4.10s. & if you do a significant amount of highway driving, the slightly lower rpm of a 3.73 at 70-80mph over the 4.10 may make it more economical to go with the lower gear.

[USAM]

Actually, if you have a 2002 auto, you have a 4R70W. And the first gear (2.84:1) is not that tall at all compared to the Tremecs or the new 6R60 autos in the '11 Mustangs. Now, that's a tall first gear for an auto (4.17:1). I have a 2000 auto 4R70W with a 10" Dirty Dog 3,800 stall torque converter. I'm currently running 4.30s and really like them. A blast to drive around town. And is a great gear for people running primarily 1/8th mile regional tracks. I'm actually swapping them out for 4.56s next month. Next to Nitrous Oxide, gears are the best bang for the buck.

My first gear change (3.73s) I got done at Westway Ford in Irving. Did an excellent job. OEM quiet. I had the 4.30s installed at HPP Racing in Lewisville. They are a good shop, but very busy. If you are anywhere near the D/FW metro area, I will recommend Gearheads Performance in Arlington. Travis and Matt will take care of you.

Don't fear the gear. Go big or go home.:2thumbs:

[Dreadknought]

Amen!