'08 GT w/3.73 first gear question

Gringo

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I changed my rear end to 3.73:1 because I wanted a little more oomph at red lights, and I was not happy having to downshift to 4th on the freeway. And the change fixed a lot of that, except now 1st gear feels almost useless. It moves the car from a dead stop well enough, of course, but I need to shift into 2nd almost immediately. Like half way across the intersection. 1st is still handy on hill starts.

I've been playing around with starting in 2nd, and it feels like it's just a little bit more wear on the clutch than I would like, if that makes any sense. I would assume others have had the same experience. What do you do? Keep using first and shifting immediately ( losing ground to the guy next to you) or start in second and worry about the clutch wear later?

Would going to a heavier clutch make starting in second easier?

Or is there such a thing as a good 4 speed overdrive transmission I could buy at a junkyard and install instead of the stock 5 speed?
 

skwerl

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My '09 Bullitt came with 3.73 gears stock. Loved the setup. If it feels slightly too short then you can always run a taller tire in the rear.

The 3650 has a really deep first gear which is awesome at the drag strip but not particularly helpful in urban traffic. I used to start in either first or second depending on the situation, uphill or downhill, traffic, etc.
 

stkjock

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LOL, I had 4.10s and a shorter tire than stock on my 06GT and never found it an issue shifting from 1-2

what RPM are you shifting?

3.73s with stock height tires 1st gear goes to like 40 MPH before you "have to shift"

don't start in 2nd
 

Gringo

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Feels like granny gear now. However it is very useful creeping along in traffic jams without riding the clutch. In fact, I can start rolling without even touching the accelerator.
 

01yellerCobra

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How long ago were the gears installed? I've found that some mods take time to adjust to. Such as louder exhaust or shorter gears. After a bit everything feels normal again.
 

sman247

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I had 4.10 with a whipple Lmao talk about useless. As stated get a bigger rear tire and that will affect the overall gearing
 

Gringo

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I wish I had asked this question a week ago. I just bought a set of Hancook Ventus for it.
 

RocketcarX

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You'll get used to it. Do not start out in 2nd gear, just shift when you feel the need.
 

travelers

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That's all good advise. The only other option with staying stick is with a Tremec T56 Magnum or a used TR6060.
 

tjm73

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The TR-3650 in the S197 3V has a 3.38 first gear. With a 3.73 R&P that's an overall gear of 12.61. With a 27" tire you will be going 25 mph before you get to 4000 rpm. How fast you get to 25mph is proportional to how fast to apply throttle. If you stomp on it, you will hit 25 real fast. If you ease into it, not so fast.

I just bought a 2013 Focus to commute with. It has a blistering 165hp at 6500rpm. It also has a very short 1st gear. It has taken a month of driving for me to develop a feel for when it likes to shift at normal human speeds (just over 20 mph by the way). Doing so is smooth. If I run it out to 6500, shifting is not smooth at all, but it scoots down the road. This car is not about the HP's. It's about the MPG's. Running 35 at the moment.

My point? If you shift at or just after peak torque (around 4200-4500) you will find it accelerates briskly in traffic. Probably faster than the rest of the traffic.

Go out for a drive and run it up to about 4500 every time you shift.
 
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stkjock

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travelers

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Also remember you need a shifter, 26 spline clutch, I think a trans mount and maybe drive shaft for the TR6060.

So compare that pricing to the T56 setup kits that are out there.

I went with the T56 on my '11
 

Wes06

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jesus, 2700 + 1800 core, id just find a wrecked gt500, or just get the newer 6/10 speed auto and figure that shit out. lol
 

Gringo

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this is looking better, at $ 3200 https://www.americanmuscle.com/frrpp-tremec-t56-295gear.html but yeah, maybe I should just learn to shift faster. I already put a short throw Hurst shifter in it. Or, horrors, I could change the rear end again. Maybe should have split the difference between the stock and these 3.73's.

I DO like having the car go forward with alacrity when I push that skinny pedal on the right.
 

stkjock

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get a MGW if you change the shifter
 

01yellerCobra

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this is looking better, at $ 3200 https://www.americanmuscle.com/frrpp-tremec-t56-295gear.html but yeah, maybe I should just learn to shift faster. I already put a short throw Hurst shifter in it. Or, horrors, I could change the rear end again. Maybe should have split the difference between the stock and these 3.73's.

I DO like having the car go forward with alacrity when I push that skinny pedal on the right.

Weren't the stock gears 3.55's? AFAIK there isn't anything between the 3.55 and 3.73. Plus it wouldn't be worth the swap for that small of a change.

Just give it time to get used to the new gears. I went from 3.27's to 3.90's in my 01. Even with a T-56 I was shifting fairly quickly. But damn, when I floored it, it moved quick.
 

skwerl

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AM isn't including the required crossmember or shorter driveshaft. You will also need a different clutch since this is a 26 spline instead of a 10 spline. If you want a T-56 then check out JPC. That's where I got mine and it came with everything. You really don't save any money trying to piece it all together yourself.

http://www.jpcracing.com/jpc-tremec...-includes-driveshaft-clutch-flywheel-options/


Edit: And I agree with Dave. Your Hurst shifter is junk. If you keep the 3650 then get an MGW shifter. Best you can buy anywhere.
 

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