North American Turbocoupe Organization



ARE 3.73's RIGHT FOR ME?
Jr88TC Offline
Member
#1
I have a 5 speed 88TC and i'll be taking it to the track in the spring. My car is stock with MAgnaflow exhaust(no downpipe yet),K&N cold air, and a one piece dual "gillis" check valve that i made(works the same).
My car has 70000 miles on it and runs really strong. I know 373 aren't a big upgrade BUT
i want to know those of you that have 3.73's in your 5 Speed does it make a difference.

As far as 1/4 mile racing goes is it worth it???

Right now i'd rather find way to quicken the car without engine mods. I don't want to start bolting on stuff to the engine because i'd rather get a bare block and start from scratch.
You guys knowing all that Are 373's the next step? Are 3.73's right for me?...Anyone?
Jr.
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GaryS#2 Offline
Posting Freak
#2
Just a suggestion, but why don't you try different tire size, like 50 series and see if you like it before breaking into the rearend?
I've tried 50 and 60 series and think my car is faster with stock 60 series.
Maybe it isn't but boost builds with the 60 series and it seems to launch in every gear and hold boost longer.
Could be wrong cause I've never timed it, just going by the feel. [Image: smile.gif]
Grocery Getter/Rice Cooker.
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Mr. Sam Ford Offline
Senior Member
#3
If you want to go to a numerically higher gear ratio, why not go for those new 3.90 gears or 4.10s? I don't think 3.55 to 3.73 would be a big enough jump to warrant the cost and effort. IMO of course
'88 Thunderbird TC, daily headache with a few mods, 14.65 and still not happy Smile

'86 Mustang GT, daily transport, fresh 302, Twisted Wedge heads, Track Heat intake, custom cam, all the associated goodies, 4.10s, hoping for mid 12s n/a
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1987tc Offline
Senior Member
#4
I have 3.73 gears in my car and like them a lot. I do have to shift from first to second right away and my highway rpm is somewhat higher. Overall I am happy with them. You might also consider getting a good aftermarket shifter. If you are going to be going to the track it will help a lot. not to mention it just making the car more fun to drive .
Wes

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1987 TC:
Hurst compition plus shifter,K&N cone,roller cam,custom single exhaust,Gillis valve,H&R springs,KYB shocks,struts and quads.
3.73 rear.
Tubular rear control arms and Kenny Brown trac kit brackets.Mac rear differntial cover and girdle. soon to come, Installation of Caster camber plates and a custom built roll cage.
Wes Arnett
Linton Indiana
Sold my Turbocoupe. It went to a good home.
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Jr88TC Offline
Member
#5
Wow, a whole three people willing help me out! Well those that did give there two cents i do appreiciate it(i do.) I wish i could get some more opinions before this thread ducks off the current page...

[This message has been edited by Jr88TC (edited 10-29-2001).]
Jr.
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duanetc Offline
Member
#6
yeah if going to the track i would suggest a good shifter as mine stock one broke last week. as for the 3.73 there will be a higher rpm ratio and you need to ask yourself if thats good or not
t3/t4 ball bearing hybrid spearco intercooler. Ported big valve head, 44pph injectors,motorsport cam and roller followers kirban afpr walbro 255lph fuel pump 65mm tb atrp downpipe extrude honed intakes and a ported e6 atr external wastegate greddy bov prolly some stuff I missed too
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Dan E Offline
Posting Freak
#7
Quote:Originally posted by Jr88TC:
Wow, a whole three people willing help me out! Well those that did give there two cents i do appreiciate it(i do.) I wish i could get some more opinions before this thread ducks off the current page.

Which opinion of mine do you want ?

My opinion about going with a 3.73 Rear End or my opinion about how to go about getting more opinions by not coming across as pissy that a "whole three people" replied to you the same day you posted ?

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Dan Eaves
88TC 5spd, Crower 5.5" Sportsman Rods, Short Wiseco Pistons bored .030" Over, Ported Head with Polished Combustion Chambers, Gutted & Polished Upper, Ported & Polished Lower, Polished T/B, Ported E6, SVO T3 .63AR Turbo, 3" DP w/No Cat, 2 1/2" single cat back w/DynoMax Super Turbo Muffler, RR Cam, K&N in Fenderwell, Gillis Boost Valve, Centerforce I Clutch, Removed A/C, Polished Wheels, Polished Valve Cover, Polished Crank and W/P Pulleys, Walbro 255LPH HP Pump, Kirban Adj FPR, and the DAMN Heater Core is new too !
Dan Eaves
88TC 5spd Vermillion Red, Polished...everything...
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Jr88TC Offline
Member
#8
Pardon my "pissy"ness if thats how you took my post, and your opinion on 373's as the rear gearing in 5 speed TC would be great.
Jr.
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Dan E Offline
Posting Freak
#9
If it wasn't meant as pissy...sorry. It just sounded a little too much like there wasn't enough "instant gratification" or something ?

As far as 3.73's go...I think Ford should have made that the standard rear end ratio for 5 spds just like the automatics. I think the 3.90's that are now available sound very interesting too. 4.73's would be a PITA if you drove you TC much due to the highway whine and rpm's...not to mention hitting 2nd gear before blinking.

I am curious to know if anyone has ever considered changing the gearing in a T5 tranny as well. There are several combos that you could make between the T5 and rear end. I wonder what the best street/strip combo would be ?

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Dan Eaves
88TC 5spd, Crower 5.5" Sportsman Rods, Short Wiseco Pistons bored .030" Over, Ported Head with Polished Combustion Chambers, Gutted & Polished Upper, Ported & Polished Lower, Polished T/B, Ported E6, SVO T3 .63AR Turbo, 3" DP w/No Cat, 2 1/2" single cat back w/DynoMax Super Turbo Muffler, RR Cam, K&N in Fenderwell, Gillis Boost Valve, Centerforce I Clutch, Removed A/C, Polished Wheels, Polished Valve Cover, Polished Crank and W/P Pulleys, Walbro 255LPH HP Pump, Kirban Adj FPR, and the DAMN Heater Core is new too !
Dan Eaves
88TC 5spd Vermillion Red, Polished...everything...
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SteveX82 Offline
Posting Freak
#10
Quote:Originally posted by Dan E:
If it wasn't meant as pissy...sorry. It just sounded a little too much like there wasn't enough "instant gratification" or something ?

You shouldn't have to apologize, Dan. Some people just need to realize that while this board is perhaps the most useful site on the entire internet for TC owners, it is not necessarily an instant panacea for any problem/question a person has involving his car. Considering the rarity of his question (how many of the 40 or so usual posters here have actually done a 3.55 -> 3.73 rear swap, anyways?), Jr88TC was lucky he got the help and answers that he did. Rock on, Dan. Later

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maroon 1987 TC 5spd

gillis valve set at 18lbs, k&n cone on VAM, removed A/C belt, unbolted exhaust at track,
best 1/4 mile: 15.10 @ 89.25mph

NEW UPDATE: car is fixed and better than ever. New mods include mildly ported TB and exhaust manifold, removed a/c system (free mod, but still), kirban adjustable fpr (at whatever the stock setting is now, but changing once i get a fuel pressure guage), and a spare ihi turbo i had laying around. 14 second 1/4 mile times, here i come
Estoril blue 1987 TC 5spd, 148k mi, a237, Bailey BOV, spec stg3 clutch, spearco FMIC, 50 trim t3/t4, 3" exhaust, Bamafuel, LM1, 55pph
Best 1/4 mile: 12.31 @ 110mph on 25psi
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