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Topic: gear ratio (Read 6223 times) previous topic - next topic

gear ratio

Which would be a better gear ratios for my 88 cougar v6. 3.73 or 4.10? Im looking for better acceleration and and bit more too speed

gear ratio

Reply #1 –
You will lose more top end speed the higher the gear you use. You really won't gain a lot with a stock v6 to make a big impact. That 88 six is an oddball with that balance shaft.
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

gear ratio

Reply #2 –
As of now im planning a stroker rebuild for my 6 to add a lil more power. But do you have any suggestion on a higher top speed

gear ratio

Reply #3 –
Put a 199 mph spedo in it.
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

gear ratio

Reply #4 –
Swap in a sc motor, or get a v-8 in there. No offense to the v-6, but you go broke trying to make it fast, without using a completely different engine and parts.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

gear ratio

Reply #5 –
I would go with 3.73s, you might not gain any top speed but you will get there a whole lot quicker. :D
95 Ranger Splash 2.3
88 Tbird Sport :ies::ies:
5.0 SO, stainless shorty headers, w/ Magnaflow lers. KYB struts, KYB shocks. 5lug conversion from sn95 Mustang, subframe connectors, drilled and slotted rotors, 03 Mach 1 wheels. sequential taillights.140 speedo

gear ratio

Reply #6 –
I a
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

gear ratio

Reply #7 –
I figured he is stuck on 85 mph. If he does the 199mph he might be happy!, he really didn't come back with any more info!
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

gear ratio

Reply #8 –
It is possible to actually gain top speed with steeper gears.
1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

gear ratio

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Dan B.;370668
It is possible to actually gain top speed with steeper gears.

Agreed though usually not a lot, will always be lower HP engine... If the engine isn't deep enough into it's HP/torque curve to overcome wind resistance, increasing the revs may eek out a bit more speed...

gear ratio

Reply #10 –
I think it would a pretty big difference putting 3.73s over the factory 2.73 or whatever the stock 7.5 rear comes with. After I did my 347 stroker with C3 into my 87 tbird I got pretty tired of hitting top speed and having everyone (including a smart car once!) blow by me on the highway. Deeper gears are fun, but it gets tiring in a hurry doing 4500 rpm going 70 miles per hour.

gear ratio

Reply #11 –
Or you could run an overdrive transmission, like the 88 v-6 is stock. Your top speed is not going to change on an 88 v-6. Not higher anyways.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

gear ratio

Reply #12 –
I think its 3.08 ill be certain in the morning when i can look at the certification plate on my car

gear ratio

Reply #13 –
Ive thought of using the motor from a cougar/tb supercharged but finding one is no easy task

gear ratio

Reply #14 –
Engine upgrade is your best bet. You may not like the idea, but 5.0s are easy to find and easy to fix. Might be affordable if you find the right donor car for the PCM and harness.