#2614662 - 10/20/12 03:03 AM
Re: Best gear ratio for me ??
[Re: BillyBishop]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 11/08/11
Posts: 1703
Loc: Minnesota, U.S.
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[/quote]I got 3.73s and I absolutely regret it and every time I drive it I wish I went with 4.10s instead.[quote] I know it's just an opinion/preference thing but I agree with Billy. 3.73's are nice, and I definitely wouldn't want any higher of a gear, but yeah I regret not doing 4.10's. Also, I've said it in other threads and I'll say it again now, I can get right around 18 mpg. That's 2/3 of a tank full of highway driving and 1/3 of a tank driving hard as hell. I don't know what is considered "light mods", but this is with what's in my sig.
_________________________
09 P71
Custom tubular rear control arms by Tink, ADTR sway bars by Eibach, Lowered, Detroit Trutrac/Motive 4.30, J-modded, Circle D multi disc 3600-3700 stall, OBX LT's and 2.5" X-pipe, 2.5" Dynomax ultraflows into 3" mandrel bent tail pipes, HI Tech stage2 cams, Dragon Oval Plenum/60mm GT500 TB, Steeda Underdrives, Dyno Tuned By APSAutoworks 281rwhp/297rwtq
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#2752646 - 09/01/13 08:06 PM
Re: Best gear ratio for me, REVIVED
[Re: 2004_p71]
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n00b
Registered: 12/12/12
Posts: 42
Loc: Southern California
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Reviving an old thread, but same general question.
I've got the stock 2.73 gears and took a road trip from SoCa to Denver, CO. Going up steep hills, and some in combination with high altitudes (over 11,000ft), the car left me WANTING to have my WRX turbo on that part of the trip! Several times I had to drop down into second gear, and stay in second gear for what seemed like forever (probably only 15 minutes.)
My car is stock, except for BOC tune for 87 octane.
I know a lot of you guys have PIs and are interested in 1/4 mile times. But I only bought this car to take longer rides that are not that comfortable in the WRX. I usually drive 10 over the speed limit, with an occasional 100mph pass. So yeah, I'm at 80+ a lot of the time on the open road. I average about 24mpg on the road.
I read this thread (and others) and it seems that for what I use the car for, and what I'm trying to accomplish (going up hills better), that even 3.27 might be okay, and a big jump from 2.73. From there, 3.27 to 3.55 doesn't seem like much is gained, but then again, maybe it's just perfect. 3.73 would probably be the most I would consider.
Suggestions please...
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2003 Grand Marquis GS, 56k mi, BOC Tune, 3.55 gears; 2015 Fusion; 2013 Triumph Bonneville
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#2752648 - 09/01/13 08:13 PM
Re: Best gear ratio for me, REVIVED
[Re: angrymoose]
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Cynical Jackass
Poobah
Registered: 05/19/09
Posts: 5427
Loc: Somewhere in the CRC
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3.55 seems to be the best all around gear. 3.73 are nice too.......but i am very happy withy stock 3.55 ratio.
_________________________
2003 Crown Victoria ( AKA Car Craft Crown Vic )  , Trick Flow 38CC top end kit, 04 Navigator water pump, Circle D multi disk 3500-3700 stall converter, Full SW exhaust, MM Airbox and MAF, ADTR zip tube, 78mm BBK Plenum and TB, Transgo Stage 2 shift kit, 3.73 with track lok, Naake coilover suspension, Henious control arms, Metco watts link, ARP watts link stud, Addco sway bars, Powerslot rotors with Hawk HPS pads, BH1976 headlight relay harness, Procar sportsman pro race seat's, 17" steel rims widened to 9.0 with Nitto 555's in 285/40/17 tire for the rear, Tuned by Mo's Speed Shop in Dallas Georgia....more mods coming soon. 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis HPP. Full PI engine swap, Stock PI torque converter, 04 Navigator water pump, 3.27 with trac lok 
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#2752678 - 09/01/13 09:49 PM
Re: Best gear ratio for me, REVIVED
[Re: Blackcvpi]
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n00b
Registered: 12/12/12
Posts: 42
Loc: Southern California
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Using an online calculator, it seems that going with 3.55 or 3.73 (in O/D) is almost like not having O/D with 2.73 gears. About 250rpm difference (more) between 100mph in 3rd w/2.73 gears and 100mph in O/D with 3.55 gears. Only about 175rpm less for 3.73 gears in O/D than 2.73 in 3rd gear.
I have no idea what that translates into on the road.
Edited by columbo (09/01/13 09:56 PM)
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2003 Grand Marquis GS, 56k mi, BOC Tune, 3.55 gears; 2015 Fusion; 2013 Triumph Bonneville
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#2752703 - 09/01/13 10:47 PM
Re: Best gear ratio for me, REVIVED
[Re: angrymoose]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 06/17/10
Posts: 2930
Loc: Hollywood, Maryland... USA
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I don't think 4.10's would be a bad choice...the gas mileage would go down for highway driving a little, but the biggest mileage decrease would probably come more from the gas pedal mod that comes with the gears....I have always been happy with my 4.10's, but with that said, I am definitely going with either 4.30's in the coming weeks, or even 4;56's....although I am a little scared of going with the 4.56's and it being too much...so leaning more toward the 4.30's The 4.10's might even help the MPH for city driving a little, again, more depending on how that "gas pedal mod" that comes with them kicks in...  But yeah, everyone has a different feeling on gears, just take all recommendations for what they are, and go with what your gut tells says you are more comfortable with....and either way...don't fear the gear...
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POTM Jan. 2012 and May 2013 ... 2V N/A king for now -02 LX sport  
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#2752705 - 09/01/13 10:59 PM
Re: Best gear ratio for me, REVIVED
[Re: columbo]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 03/13/13
Posts: 1694
Loc: Northumberland, PA
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How good are you at wrenching and what are your storage limitations? If you have the space you could just pull a whole rear axle assembly from a junkyard cvpi with the gear you feel is right; then swap it in and update your tune and spedo for the new gear. Save the original assembly and if you dont like it after a while then you swap it back out and restore your original tune. That way its not an all or nothing chance. And depending on the JY it may be alot cheeper than having a shop setup the gears propperly. Just my $.02
Plus you grab the rear swaybar from the cvpi while at the JY and improve your handeling :-)
Edited by Wags4000 (09/01/13 11:00 PM)
_________________________
2003 CVLX; 312k mi (perch 103k); P74; Black Paint/Black leather; Blinking side marker mod; 2.73 open dif; Autolite Dbl Plat; General Altimax RT43; LCM Ext relay, FRPP mani; Max-Life 5w-30  03 Crown Victoria LX by Wags4000, on Flickr 2001 Merc GM LS; RIP at 340k mi (bought at 67k)-my former commuter. Finally passed on due to no one driving it and things just stopped working. 1986 Merc GM LS; 165k mi (bought at 118k)- Red with White vinyl half roof; 5.0L; RIP 87 Caprice Wagon; 356k; 5.0L(307cu) RIP
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#2752707 - 09/01/13 11:07 PM
Re: Best gear ratio for me, REVIVED
[Re: columbo]
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Poobah
Registered: 02/17/07
Posts: 5478
Loc: At your local Dunkin Donuts
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Reviving an old thread, but same general question.
I've got the stock 2.73 gears and took a road trip from SoCa to Denver, CO. Going up steep hills, and some in combination with high altitudes (over 11,000ft), the car left me WANTING to have my WRX turbo on that part of the trip! Several times I had to drop down into second gear, and stay in second gear for what seemed like forever (probably only 15 minutes.)
My car is stock, except for BOC tune for 87 octane.
I know a lot of you guys have PIs and are interested in 1/4 mile times. But I only bought this car to take longer rides that are not that comfortable in the WRX. I usually drive 10 over the speed limit, with an occasional 100mph pass. So yeah, I'm at 80+ a lot of the time on the open road. I average about 24mpg on the road.
I read this thread (and others) and it seems that for what I use the car for, and what I'm trying to accomplish (going up hills better), that even 3.27 might be okay, and a big jump from 2.73. From there, 3.27 to 3.55 doesn't seem like much is gained, but then again, maybe it's just perfect. 3.73 would probably be the most I would consider.
Suggestions please... For what you're looking to do, I'd recommend 3.55's. They would be a great improvement for highway passing, while not sucking down too much MPG. I just put 4.10's in my 2011 and WOW what a difference. But I was looking for much faster off the line acceleration, and could care less about highway MPG, since most of my traveling is on backroads.
_________________________
2014 Police Sedan 32,000 miles ecoboost engine
Past:
2011 P7B Silver Birch 175,000 miles ADDCO front and rear sway bars (totaled)
2011 P7E Black 4.10 gears, BOC Tune, some extras ( took back at 47,000 miles )
2007 P71 Smokestone Metallic JModded ( traded with 150,000 miles )
2005 P74 Arizona Beige (traded with 55,000 miles)
2000 P71 Deep Wedgewood Blue (traded with 140,000 miles)
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#2752744 - 09/02/13 01:08 AM
Re: Best gear ratio for me, REVIVED
[Re: Wags4000]
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n00b
Registered: 12/12/12
Posts: 42
Loc: Southern California
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How good are you at wrenching and what are your storage limitations? If you have the space you could just pull a whole rear axle assembly from a junkyard cvpi with the gear you feel is right; then swap it in and update your tune and spedo for the new gear. Save the original assembly and if you dont like it after a while then you swap it back out and restore your original tune. That way its not an all or nothing chance. And depending on the JY it may be alot cheeper than having a shop setup the gears propperly. Just my $.02
Plus you grab the rear swaybar from the cvpi while at the JY and improve your handeling :-) Good suggestion, but I don't have the space. I would have to find a way to get the used whole axle assembly to a shop and pay for the swap, and pay for the tune, and no place to store the extra assembly. I was quoted about $500 for installing new FORD gears (open), bearings and seals in my diff assembly.
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2003 Grand Marquis GS, 56k mi, BOC Tune, 3.55 gears; 2015 Fusion; 2013 Triumph Bonneville
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#2753348 - 09/03/13 03:33 PM
Re: Best gear ratio for me, REVIVED
[Re: angrymoose]
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n00b
Registered: 12/12/12
Posts: 42
Loc: Southern California
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3.55:1 FTW!
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2003 Grand Marquis GS, 56k mi, BOC Tune, 3.55 gears; 2015 Fusion; 2013 Triumph Bonneville
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#2754097 - 09/05/13 11:53 AM
Re: Best gear ratio for me, REVIVED
[Re: angrymoose]
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n00b
Registered: 07/16/13
Posts: 13
Loc: New England
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This topic is kinda fragmented. Could someone post the various gear ranges and what one could expect from each with performance and MPG, in practical terms?
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2000 P71 Street Package
1922 Ford T
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#2754393 - 09/05/13 11:34 PM
Re: Best gear ratio for me ??
[Re: angrymoose]
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Member
Registered: 04/12/11
Posts: 241
Loc: Oxford, Ohio
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IMO, making a gear change of less than .5 is not worth the labor/parts to do it.
Going from 2.73 which is plain an simple a highway gear to say 3.27 or 3.55 is a good move.
If the carrier is open, might as well put a good LS unit while you are at it.
3.27 to 3.55 is not worth the cost. You would want at least 3.73 to make it worth the money.
4.10 is a fantastic gear, but if you spend lots of time on the highway it will eat up more gas and wear the engine out more quickly.
The 6, 7, and 8 speed transmissions being used in todays newer vehicles allow the use of a taller final gear set with shorter 1st and 2nd gears to get the car moving.
Don
_________________________
2004 Crown Vic LX Sport Plus in Midnight Grey Metallic with Light Flint Gray leather interior. Exterior paint code "TV." Built Feb. 16, 2004.
3.27 Traction-Lok rear axle from a 2010 CVPI w 46K.
Aluminum PI driveshaft with Fabtech spacer.
CVPI exhaust sans resonators.
KYB Police spec rear shocks.
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#2754407 - 09/06/13 12:25 AM
Re: Best gear ratio for me ??
[Re: angrymoose]
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Over the Hill
Registered: 01/14/10
Posts: 1558
Loc: AL
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I like the 3.27 trac-lok. Low 20's on the highway, 16-17 around town.
_________________________
2009 Grand Marquis - AFE CAI, ADTR ported manifold, HyperTech tune, 3L27 RAR, dual exhaust, Shelby GT 500 wheels, Goodyear Eagle F1's (255/285's), KYB CVPI shocks, Stillen Motorsports rotors, Hawk HPS pads, ADDCO sway bars, Metco control arms & watts. http://youtu.be/1N4bR_LqDiE
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#2754956 - 09/07/13 12:28 PM
Re: Best gear ratio for me, REVIVED
[Re: columbo]
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n00b
Registered: 12/12/12
Posts: 42
Loc: Southern California
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Having trouble with gear noise now! They are going to try another set of gears. Argh!
_________________________
2003 Grand Marquis GS, 56k mi, BOC Tune, 3.55 gears; 2015 Fusion; 2013 Triumph Bonneville
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#2754960 - 09/07/13 01:25 PM
Re: Best gear ratio for me, REVIVED
[Re: columbo]
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Cynical Jackass
Poobah
Registered: 05/19/09
Posts: 5427
Loc: Somewhere in the CRC
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Having trouble with gear noise now! They are going to try another set of gears. Argh! Who did the install? I know a great diff shop in Sun Valley. They are very reasonable and will work while you wait. Send me a pm if you want the info.
_________________________
2003 Crown Victoria ( AKA Car Craft Crown Vic ) , Trick Flow 38CC top end kit, 04 Navigator water pump, Circle D multi disk 3500-3700 stall converter, Full SW exhaust, MM Airbox and MAF, ADTR zip tube, 78mm BBK Plenum and TB, Transgo Stage 2 shift kit, 3.73 with track lok, Naake coilover suspension, Henious control arms, Metco watts link, ARP watts link stud, Addco sway bars, Powerslot rotors with Hawk HPS pads, BH1976 headlight relay harness, Procar sportsman pro race seat's, 17" steel rims widened to 9.0 with Nitto 555's in 285/40/17 tire for the rear, Tuned by Mo's Speed Shop in Dallas Georgia....more mods coming soon. 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis HPP. Full PI engine swap, Stock PI torque converter, 04 Navigator water pump, 3.27 with trac lok
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#2755281 - 09/08/13 02:38 PM
Re: Best gear ratio for me, REVIVED
[Re: Blackcvpi]
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n00b
Registered: 08/24/13
Posts: 49
Loc: Southwest Virginia
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Yeah I have a similar question. Should I go with a 4.10 or go smaller? Most of the driving that I'll be doing is on mountainous back roads with limited time on the highway. I'm also planning on getting the Jmod done after I get the gear ratio changed.
_________________________
2004 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor From the U.S Marshal Service in Georgia -114,000 miles -Street Appearance Package -Limited Slip differential -New Yokohama tires -Working back doors  Like anything in life, there are extremes.
Some take it too far...some take it really, really too far.
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