[GregR]

I just bought a set of 3.55 gears to replace the 3.08s currently in the roadster. Anybody else using 3.55s and what do you think of them? I know alot of guys rave about 3.73s, but these were new Ford gears for $50. Thanks.

Greg

 

[Michael Everson]

They made a huge difference in my car. I love them.

 

[PiMan]

I like 'em just fine!

 

[sbalum427]

I have 373 but think the 355's would be a little better. Too much shifting with the 373's. IMO.

 

[cobramd]

I just installed 3.55's and love them. It actually makes 5th gear usable. Much more manageable in traffic and it really keeps the blower in the sweetspot more often.

 

[spokanesnake]

Hi Greg,
I have 3.55's and a WC T5 transmission and love it. I turn 2400 rpm's at 70mph.
Ken

 

[Phil Manro]

Another vote for 3.55's.

Phil

 

[Roger]

I followed the assembly manuel suggestion and used 3.55s. I will also use them in my new IRS.

Roger

 

[Russ Gelberg]

Is there another set available for $50.00?

Russ

 

[GATOR427SC]

Anyone go from 3.27 to 3.55? Could you feel a noticable difference?

Chris

 

[CobraEarl]

Ive always thought the 327s with a .8OD would be the perfect set up. Just a theory of mine.

What i have is the 355 with the .68 OD t5.

355s are gonna wake it up in the lower gears.

earl

 

[dbarrym]

Cobra Earl -

I have the same gearing and final drive ratios as you (3.55's and .68 OD)...how does this combo work out, for highway and/or track use?

Seemed like a good compromise to me, but looking for comments!

[ March 25, 2002: Message edited by: Barry Mattingly ]

 

[Trumbo]

I'm running 3.55's with a TKO .68 OD and I find it to be perfect for a street car application. I see about 2200 RPM at about 70 MPH in 5th (hard to really tell with SW guages) I really like the combination.

 

[chabel]

I have 3.55s and a T-5 Z-Spec with a 2.95 first gear and wouldn't change that combo for the world. 22-2400 in 5th gear at 70+.
I went from 2.73 to the 3.55s and thought I supercharged my engine.
As Nike says "Just Do It".

 

[Ron FFR1738]

Greg,
If you are going to autox your car you might want to find out if the courses that you'll run on are long or short. If they are short courses then 355's are okay. However, on a long course 355's causes you to bounce off the stock limiter and thus cost you time. I'm running 327's and only hit the limiter a couple of times.
Thanks,
Ron FFR1738

 

[teamfour]

I love my 3.55s with the stock T5. You just have to watch 1st gear; it is real easy to hit the limiter before you realize it.

 

[CobraEarl]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Barry Mattingly:
Cobra Earl -

I have the same gearing and final drive ratios as you (3.55's and .68 OD)...how does this combo work out, for highway and/or track use?

[ March 25, 2002: Message edited by: Barry Mattingly ]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

My problem is....At VIR, you can open it up on the back stretch. with stock heads with a b cam, my engine runs out of steam at about 5500 or 117 mph. I shift and the rpm drops to about 3700. It sure does not have any hp at 3700 so to get to even 120 mph, i have to rev it to about 5700. I dont like to hold it at 5700.

With a 3.27 and a .8 it would go 127 at 5500. If i shifted, the rpm would fall to 4400. You have some actual hp at 4400.

Beside, 127 is fast enough for me. would not mind hitting 130 some time tho. with my transmission and 3.55 gears, id have to wring its tail to 6100 to get to 130. Id hate like he!! to blow it up AGAIN.

For road racing and using all the gears, a 3.73 or 4.10 with the .8 is probably the way to go.

Here are the top speed numbers for 25.5 inch tires with the .68 OD at 6000rpm.
..xxx. 273.. 327.. 355.. 373.. 410
..4th. 167.. 139.. 128.. 122.. 111
..5th. 245.. 205.. 189.. 179.. 163
60mph 1468 1758 1909 2005 2204RPM

With .80 OD:
..xxx. 273.. 327.. 355.. 373.. 410
..4th. 167.. 139.. 128.. 122.. 111
..5th. 208.. 174.. 160.. 153.. 139
60mph 1727 2068 2246 2949 2584RPM

I think you can see that to be able to use the WHOLE Rpm range in all gears, a 373 or 410 with the .8 would be the only way to go with a SERIOUS road racer.

For a NON SERIOUS road racer, a 3.27 is probably more reasonable because you can get to 139 in Fourth. and stillhave the cruising RPM.

FOR the street, a 355 is a great rear even with the .68 OD. But, we can dream.

Hope this helps CONFUSE the He!! out of you.

TO MUCH INFORMATION

Earl

[ March 26, 2002: Message edited by: CobraEarl ]

[ March 26, 2002: Message edited by: CobraEarl ]

[ March 26, 2002: Message edited by: CobraEarl ]

[ March 26, 2002: Message edited by: CobraEarl ]

[ March 26, 2002: Message edited by: CobraEarl ]

[ March 26, 2002: Message edited by: CobraEarl ]

[ March 26, 2002: Message edited by: CobraEarl ]

 

[GregR]

Well, since my car is supposed to be a street only car (yeah, right) I think the 3.55s will be alright. The only racing I've ever done is on the drag strip, but autocrossing and small road courses may be in the future.

Earl, if my wife ever heard I hit ANY of those top speeds you listed there would be hell to pay. Not to mention having to pry my fingers off the steering wheel and shifter and pulling the seat upholstery out of my butt .

Thanks for confirming my decision to go with 3.55s guys.

Greg