FRPP 4.10 RING GEAR AND PINION SET

I got Ford Racing Performance Parts 4.10:1 ratio ring gear and pinion set. My 1/8 mile times dropped by atleast 0.2 seconds. Through most of the summer of 2005, I was hitting 9.2 to 9.3 at the 1/8 mile track. It was quite dissappointing. Everyone said it was the Texas heat. I got the gears in and I was consistently hitting 9.1s with a 9.09. On the next visit to the track, I was did an 8.89 with a bunch of 8.9s and 9.0s.

What's the cost? Highway driving has taken a big hit. I used to cruise at 70-75 mph comfortably right around 2000 RPM. Now, that comfortable speed is more like 55-60 mph. I'm somewhere around 2500 RPM at 70 and almost 3000 RPM at 80. That's just too much to hold on a four hour drive. At speeds above 65, the car engine brakes itself if I let off the gas pedal. With the stock gears cruising at 70-75 and I let off the gas, it goes into coast mode. With 4.10s at 70-75 mph, letting off the gas goes into engine braking.

On the bright side, the car feels 1,000 lbs lighter. Normal city driving has improved a lot. Accelerating and passing is so much quicker. I go through 1st and 2nd quicker and spend more time in 3rd and 4th where the torque converter locks up. First gear does NOT feel like a wasted gear. It does not zip through 1st and go into 2nd. When I got my shifting modified with a tune and I was able to do 2nd gear scratches, I was pumped. When I got the 4.10s and was able to do 3rd gear scratches, I was triple pumped! Yes, I have an automatic transmission.

As far as fuel consumption goes, I haven't really noticed a major hit. I've only checked it once and I got 18 mpg in the city. Before the 4.10s, I think I was getting 19 in the city. I haven't been able to keep myself from punching it a lot since the gears. And I have had many trips to the track since.

Final comment: If going 70-75 mph on the freeway for extended periods is still a major part of your driving life, you might find 4.10s a little too much. By extended periods, I mean an hour or more. You might consider 3.73s or wait until your car is not a highway cruiser anymore. If you very seldom stay at those speeds, or don't mind being in the slow lane doing 60-65, then 4.10s will put a smile on your face during city driving and at the drag strip.

Cost:
$209.00 for the gears
$130.00 for the installation

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