Summary:
Whatgas- mileage difference will I see with a move from a 2.73 to 3.72 ring-and-pinion gear ratio in my '94 manual trans GT 5.0 liter?
Details:
I have a '94 Mustang GT convertible 5.0 liter high output manual trans with 85k miles. The rear diff is getting overhauled. I have the option to change the ring-and-pinion gear ratio from the stock 273 (2.73?) to something different. I am considering a 3.27 for some better pickup and possibly better pickup from a stop, for more fun, possibly better resale value (better driver experience at test-drive time).
I am curious about gas-mileage diffs. I have conflicting reports on if it helps/hurts city vs. highway mileage, and how much of each.
Can someone comment on this? I want to make sure I'm not going to have to pay significantly more for gas because my mileage goes way down in any scenario.
One reference says highway mileage won't change, but city will go down; 2 other references I have say it's just the opposite. One of these latter refererences says that the highway mileage will go down only slightly, less than 2 miles per gallon, possibly much less.
Is some other ratio than 3.27 a possible consideration, and what are the tradeoffs in mileage and performance (and other things?) thereof?
Comments? Analysis?
More details and conversation here:
-Matt
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