More info on differential gears January 08, 2006, 07:46:26 PM I'm just starting to put thought into changing my differential gears higher but I'm having a hard time finding solid info on the subject. The Chilton manual doesn't tell me squat but I've come to expect that from them. For starters what precisely are the stock gears for an 83 5.0? 2.73 or something? And about what gear size would you guys recomend I go to for a street/maybe strip car? Basically I like squealing the tires at every light but I don't want to have a seriously negative impact on fuel economy, the car sucks enough gas already. And finally where would I go to buy new gears and what else needs to be modified? I believe I've heard the speedo gear needs to be changed. I've been on Summit looking for these things but haven't had any luck. Tips? Quote Selected
More info on differential gears Reply #1 – January 08, 2006, 09:41:11 PM My Sled has 3.27 but that was part of the Tow Package. I think your guess is pretty close. I have a ranger with 4.10's and it feals much faster than the cougar, and they have similar hp rating. The Ranger seriously is suprising with those gears. Quote Selected
More info on differential gears Reply #2 – January 09, 2006, 06:35:27 AM get 3.55's, and you will lose MPG no matter what you do with gears probably. get a turbo coupe rear end, and upgrade to better brakes at the same time. Quote Selected
More info on differential gears Reply #3 – January 09, 2006, 12:41:01 PM That would be worthwhile. What are the stock gears for a turbo coupe? Quote Selected
More info on differential gears Reply #4 – January 09, 2006, 02:25:32 PM My 85 came with 2.73 On the pumpkin there will be a tag get the numbers and post them I can tell you what you have, I put 3.45 in mine took about an hour.. If your tring to save a little cash the gears in an 86 ranger are 3.45 and can be found in most junk yards. Quote Selected
More info on differential gears Reply #5 – January 09, 2006, 03:08:09 PM Pumpkin? You mean the differential casing? I don't plan on jacking the car up today to look but thanks for the tip on the Ranger gears. I may just go after those. Quote Selected
More info on differential gears Reply #6 – January 10, 2006, 05:20:24 PM Quote from: t-bird85My 85 came with 2.73 On the pumpkin there will be a tag get the numbers and post them I can tell you what you have, I put 3.45 in mine took about an hour.. If your tring to save a little cash the gears in an 86 ranger are 3.45 and can be found in most junk yards. 4x4's with a v6 and an auto have 4.10's with a 5 speed, 3.55's unless its a 4x4 later than 89 are 8.8. Also almost all ranger 7.5s are a limited slip. even 2x4's unless its like a no options base model. Quote Selected
More info on differential gears Reply #7 – January 10, 2006, 06:39:49 PM i would go with a 3.55 or a 3.73 gear Quote Selected
More info on differential gears Reply #8 – January 10, 2006, 09:37:28 PM I have 4.10's in my 5.0L stang, and love them. getting 450kms to the tank on the highway too! (still haven't figured that one out yet)It is actually too high for a light car though (but it is fun going sideways in 3rd gear on dry pavement:cool:.). I bet they would be well suited to the bird and cougars. I have a brand new set of 3.55's that have been sitting here for 2 years. I would like to either install them in the stang and put the 4.10's in the bird. Or just sell them. Quote Selected
More info on differential gears Reply #9 – January 10, 2006, 10:47:16 PM Hmm. I'm debating to myself whether to change the gears or go with the whole turbo rear end. The general consensus around here seems to be that the 7.5 is no good if you plan on putting alot of power to it, which I am planning in the future. Decisions decisions. Quote Selected
More info on differential gears Reply #10 – January 11, 2006, 05:15:25 PM Quote from: sum_weirdo The general consensus around here seems to be that the 7.5 is no good if you plan on putting alot of power to it, which I am planning in the future. Decisions decisions. Wow I don't know where you got that? I've heard that the 7.5 can take you into the low 12's. Now thats alot of power. Quote Selected
More info on differential gears Reply #11 – January 11, 2006, 06:20:05 PM 7.5 will handle 400hp to the ground, and are a couple of pounds lighter than an 8.8. Plus, less rotational mass to get spinning and keep spinning. I have now idea why I am putting in an 8.8 in my car. Oh well. Quote Selected
More info on differential gears Reply #12 – January 11, 2006, 06:59:57 PM HAHAHA!!! 7.5" handling 400hp. NOT FOR LONG!You guys have obviously never driven your cars hard with a 7.5 diff. under it. I broke 4 of them, in the past 3 years. (once in the burnout box at the track.can you say "EMBARASSING!") Do your self a HUGE favor. Swap for the 8.8"First hand experience here guys from someone who drives his cars harder then most. 7.5 diffs would be better boat anchors then under your car.PS. my car MIGHT of had 130hp AT the wheels when it broke them. Quote Selected
More info on differential gears Reply #13 – January 11, 2006, 07:45:45 PM I have seen stock axles break, but not the housing or the trac-loc break at 400. All you need is a set of good after market axles. Quote Selected
More info on differential gears Reply #14 – January 12, 2006, 01:16:14 AM Lol. Glad to see everyone in agreement. Well I do like to drive my car fast but burnouts don't interest me. If the axles are the weak point I'd gladly replace them before pulling the whole rear end. Right now I'd estimate my car's horsepower in the neighbourhood of 200 probably on the low side. I'm gonna want to push it into the 300s but I'll probably never make 400 with this car, when I want something really insane I'll probably build a serious muscle car :) Quote Selected
Topic: More info on differential gears (Read 2874 times)
previous topic - next topic
