I used to use the 3.25 in my F100 and loved it with the 351W in it. When I went to the 460 I started using the 3.0 and like it better but I have a lot more torque now. I would think a 3.25 would do great in a Maverick clint
3.55 might be a bit much for highway if you don't have a tall tire. Just my thoughts. A C4 really does need a gear though. The gearing in that tranny is horrible. Get a good C4 gear for highway, and it won't be any fun. Get a fun gear, and it will struggle on the highway. The only way out of this conundrum is a better tranny.
I use a 3:40.1 out of a Pinto wagon. I added a powertrax locker and performance automatic C-4 tranny. I drive on the freeway quite often and it aint too bad.
My entire drive train (351c - toploader - 3.50 9 inch center section) came out of my 72 Gran Torino Sport that I drove for 4 years. The 3.50's were good for getting that heavy Torino moving along and still gave me decent gas mileage. Should be much better all around in the light Maverick.
Thanks for Helpful input Thanks for all the great input so far, I am trying to get my wish list together For Spring Swap Columbus Show. Thanks,Kirk
My car has a 4:11 8" locker right now but I think next year I'll swap it for a 3:55 posi. Had 4:11's in my first Mav and its a bit much. Was great back then for running light to light. Not that ever did that. A little older a wiser with this car. Pretty sure the 4:11's will get on my nerves.
I have a like a 3.00 or something now with a taller tire and a c-4. I going to put in 4.11's and eventually put in a T-5. I've already got a mini-spool waiting to go in and I'm just itching to get a set of gears!
Still running the stock 2.79 gear here with my 200/C4. Turn 2950 RPM at 70 mph. The gears are getting noisy at two hundred and eighty some odd thousand miles though, like a quickly pulsating whining noise. I'll probably swap in a spare 3.00 center section I have laying around some time this year.
I think it depends on how you are going to use it. I have a 3.50:1 and a 2000 stall with 255/60R15s. Its not enough gear for me. Id prefer a 3:89:1 and a 3000 stall. But then again, my car is just a toy, Its not a commuter or daily driver and I do limited time on the highway. I think something around 3.50s is just right for a daily driver with tires like mine.
I am not real sure, a T5 guy will have to set me straight... However, I believe the T5 has a deep 1st gear. If that is the case, than a 4.11 ratio might be more than you need, unless your engine is really high strung. Just a thought. Because a really stout 1st gear will save you from needing so much out back, and give you that much more drivability. I know my 306 was high strung, and a wide ratio 1st gear was just perfect at 2.78:1 with 4.11 gears. Later I put a mild 351c, 4v heads no less, in front of that combo, and the engine didn't like it at all. And you know how they say 4v Clevelands are high strung... Well not enough for a relatively deep 1st gear and 4.11s! It felt like driving a dump truck. It felt like I was in 4th gear before I got through an intersection. A mean sounding ride, but it couldn't rev fast enough to use the gears. Keep that in mind. A 2.78 1st gear... I believe the T5s are even deeper! My 1st gear final drive ratio was 11.43. If you go that deep or more, you better have a fast revving engine! 1st gear x rear ratio = final drive ratio in 1st gear. Do that with a C4, and you will see why I say the tranny is geared badly for street performance.
I know that is a low rpm for 70, but since I have been into 6 speed Camaros, I am spoiled to much lower cruising rpms... Makes even that rpm look huge! A T56 Z28 with 3.42s stock will cruise 1800-2000 rpm at 80 mph! Before installing ram air, I couldn't put the car in 6th before 45-50 mph. It would buck and bog... and forget trying to pass in 6th. After ram air, it gained enough power from that one mod to keep it going in 6th down to 40 mph and I could even pass cars in 6th. Sorry for getting off topic! I am still amazed at double overdrive.
That's been in the back of my mind. I have a fox mustang with a T5 and 3.73's in the rear. It's a blast but I wish it was just a tad lower. Then again I may build a torque-ier engine and leave something taller in the rear. I'm still bench racing at this point and in a different mood everyday. 4.11's would sure keep the back tires fresh!
