Atlantic Auto Exchange -- another glowing recommendation

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

Todd Breakey wrote:

These cars are actually fun do drive in the rain.

Fun, but not foolproof. I'm pretty sure Rodney's BMW had an open diff. With a limited slip, a little too much enthusiasm with the throttle in the wet will give you a nice quick spin. While I haven't had that happen with my 2007 - I've also been careful - having had a few oopsies with my 1990.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:00 pm

Arthur McDonald wrote:

RodneyWright wrote:

If you can tell by the VIN or cover on the diff, then I need to learn how to decipher it. I would think the car has the taller standard gearing.

You should find the ratio printed on the bar code sticker on the diff housing cover.

In my experience, the fuel mileage reported by the instrument cluster is a bit optimistic. For the life of my '07 (23K miles), it computer claims 21.5 MPG, but my spreadsheet says 20.5.

Rodney, glad to hear you're leaving it in the garage during this week's rains. While the car has traction control, it can still get out of shape on wet pavement at moderate throttle levels.

Also, you'll find that the back end can exhibit a slightly abrupt bind/release/sidestep powering out of tight corners in the dry. (Worse than my 5.0) Just something to get used to.

Art, thanks for the heads up on the barcode tag for the gear ratio. Man, I'm stoked.... 3.55 gear option on this car

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:02 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

Arthur McDonald wrote:

RodneyWright wrote:

If you can tell by the VIN or cover on the diff, then I need to learn how to decipher it. I would think the car has the taller standard gearing.

You should find the ratio printed on the bar code sticker on the diff housing cover.

In my experience, the fuel mileage reported by the instrument cluster is a bit optimistic. For the life of my '07 (23K miles), it computer claims 21.5 MPG, but my spreadsheet says 20.5.

Rodney, glad to hear you're leaving it in the garage during this week's rains. While the car has traction control, it can still get out of shape on wet pavement at moderate throttle levels.

Also, you'll find that the back end can exhibit a slightly abrupt bind/release/sidestep powering out of tight corners in the dry. (Worse than my 5.0) Just something to get used to.

Art, thanks for the heads up on the barcode tag for the gear ratio. Man, I'm stoked.... 3.55 gear option on this car

Dambit! I swear the thing needs 4.10s though.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:06 pm

while i am a former owner i shall offer my learned knowledge. the Fox bodies benefited from the 4:10, the 4.6 was better suited to the 3:73.

is the powerband of the lastest incarnation closer to the old 5.0?

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:15 pm

steve remchak wrote:

while i am a former owner i shall offer my learned knowledge. the Fox bodies benefited from the 4:10, the 4.6 was better suited to the 3:73.

is the powerband of the lastest incarnation closer to the old 5.0?

As far as my limited knowledge goes, I think the 3:73 is only offered as an option on the Bullitt. The 3:55 is an option on the GT over the stock 3:3x gearing. I'm sure Art will chime in here....

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

RodneyWright wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

while i am a former owner i shall offer my learned knowledge. the Fox bodies benefited from the 4:10, the 4.6 was better suited to the 3:73.

is the powerband of the lastest incarnation closer to the old 5.0?

As far as my limited knowledge goes, I think the 3:73 is only offered as an option on the Bullitt. The 3:55 is an option on the GT over the stock 3:3x gearing. I'm sure Art will chime in here....

3.31 is std on all auto GTs and 2007-9 GTs
3.55's were std on manual GTs in 2005-6, optional 2007-9.
3.73's available on the Shelby GT and the Bullitt, qand the 2010 GT.

Due to larger wheel/tire diameter, a 3.55 on my 2007 equates to 3.27 on my 5.0.
(Manual 5.0's came with 2.73 std, 3.08 optional (including the 2003 Cobra R), and auto 5.0s had 3.27s)

Comparing my 5.0 w/3.08 and my 2007 w/3.55, everything interesting happens about 1000 RPM higher in the new car. That said, the interesting stuff is quite a lot more interesting.

Both cars have about the same indicated redline (~5900) and cut off around 6250, but my 5.0 - due to restrictive stock "HO" heads - is done making power by 5000, while the 2007 pulls strongly to redline. The GT-40 heads that came in the 93-95 Mustang Cobras, or aftermarket heads, let the 5.0 make power to redline too.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:07 am

sounds like a 3:73 would be the shizzle then aye? but a 4:10 would make for some nice hole-shots.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

steve remchak wrote:

sounds like a 3:73 would be the shizzle then aye? but a 4:10 would make for some nice hole-shots.

For autocross, I always think about where 2nd gear runs out. For the 2005+ Mustangs, at 6250 RPM, second gear gives you indicates speeds of:

3.31 - 74
3.55 - 69
3.73 - 65

At last year's Wiggle Room autocross, the 3.31 might have been the ticket.

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Atlantic Auto Exchange -- another glowing recommendation

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