Got my 3.73's installed!!

[babbage]

Picked it up Friday after work. Mechanic said the right axle had very fine (barely noticeable) pitting/marks on it. Probably not enough to replace for free under Extended powertrain warranty. So I'm going wait another 15,000 miles or so and see then. Car has 47K on it and I think this is the first time fluid was ever changed. Took about 2.5 quarts.

Trick Flow girdle is really nice, used the thinner 100% synth Amsoil Severe gear oil (no FM needed) (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=15 467&d=1240108684), new axel seals, new pinion seal. The bearings and CF clutches on carrier and trak-lok only had about 8,000 miles on them - same with FRPP 3.73's already broken in. Got my 'old' Alcoa MMC shaft installed too. These can be found year 2000 P71's if you can find one - its a steel & aluminum blend that still only weights 17lbs. I was gonna send it to Denny's for 10K spin balance but I cheaped out. Got it up to 120 on a dead section of road and it's like glass. No vibes at all

I haven't floored it hard from a stop yet but soon.

At 80 now I'm just a tick over 2500 - didn't have SGII hooked up...
Upgrade isn't major - but its nice and noticeable. Was climbing crazy steep hills easily today, at 2K the car felt unstoppable, effortless.

I know you all are going to jump on me for not doing 4.10's :argue: but I'm happy and didn't want the revs too high - plus I already had the 3.73's

1 step is still better than stock 3.55's :banana2:Whadda think shave another .3 off my 1320?

[wakecountyp71]

how much did the install run you?

[Bluerauder]

I know you all are going to jump on me for not doing 4.10's :argue: but I'm happy and didn't want the revs too high - plus I already had the 3.73's
1 step is still better than stock 3.55's :banana2:Whadda think shave another .3 off my 1320?
I really don't think you are gonna see much of a difference with the 3.73s. They'll only provide about 1/3 the advantage of going with 4.10s. Maybe you'll gain 0.115 :dunno:

[fastblackmerc]

IMHO... not worth going w/ 3.73's.

Rev's too high?? An extra 200RPM is too high???

[fastblackmerc]

how much did the install run you?

I know a good shop in Durham.

[SC Cheesehead]

I know you all are going to jump on me for not doing 4.10's :argue: but I'm happy and didn't want the revs too high - plus I already had the 3.73's

1 step is still better than stock 3.55's :banana2:Whadda think shave another .3 off my 1320?

Do you have a tune installed? Also, have you had a chance to run the car thru the 1/4 stock? If so, and you get an chance to run it again with the 3.73 gears installed, I think you're going to be a bit disappointed when you compare the times.

[Blackened300a]

1 step is still better than stock 3.55's :banana2:Whadda think shave another .3 off my 1320?

Maybe .00000003 off your 1320. You should have sold your 3.73s to a mustang guy and went for the 4.10s. The 4.10s dont raise the revs all that high and it improves the drivability to the car. You will never notice the 3.73s in your car.

[Glenn]

With all the years of information on this site it is really disappointing to see how many people refuse to follow it.


Glenn :burnout:

[rayjay]

Guys its his car. Kinda like wheels, to each his own. He has run at the track and pretty well for what he had. I was going to do 3.90s when mine was a DD, but never got to it. 4.10s go in on the 11th. Can't wait :banana2:

[a_d_a_m]

Glad to see someone bucked the trend and cast 4.10's to the wind.

Kudos, glad ya like it. That's all that really matters. Dare to be different!

[mpearce]

Nice, but definitely not the first. Dave (MI2QWK4U) had 3.73's installed back in 2004 I believe, among others. 11 second Trilogy Marauder.

[babbage]

how much did the install run you?

$240 cash. Veteran shop owner - Guy is very good.

[babbage]

With all the years of information on this site it is really disappointing to see how many people refuse to follow it.


Glenn :burnout:

Sorry to disappoint - go yell at all the factory stock members too!

Will this get me:banned:

[babbage]

Nice, but definitely not the first. Dave (MI2QWK4U) had 3.73's installed back in 2004 I believe, among others. 11 second Trilogy Marauder.

I want to get stainless works headers and a dynotune, and I'm prolly done.

[Blackmobile]

I want to get stainless works headers and a dynotune, and I'm prolly done.

That's what they all say.....in the beginning.

Ed

[babbage]

Guys its his car. Kinda like wheels, to each his own. He has run at the track and pretty well for what he had. I was going to do 3.90s when mine was a DD, but never got to it. 4.10s go in on the 11th. Can't wait :banana2:


Glad to see someone bucked the trend and cast 4.10's to the wind.

Kudos, glad ya like it. That's all that really matters. Dare to be different!
Again I paid $240 cash labor - I supplied all parts & oil

Really I'm just happy that I have new good clean gear oil and seals and fresh parts, haven't done the 'ol rain test yet but the CF clutch setup is a step up too - love my Trick Flow girdle.

I also think Rayjay is coming to the drags with me this year after his 4.10's go in. :bandit: yes? yes?

[mpearce]

I want to get stainless works headers and a dynotune, and I'm prolly done.

I have those, ceramic coated. I love them. Highly suggest you get them. Awesome sound.

[fastblackmerc]

Nice, but definitely not the first. Dave (MI2QWK4U) had 3.73's installed back in 2004 I believe, among others. 11 second Trilogy Marauder.
If you Triliogize, you'll most likely go back to 3:55's.

[fastblackmerc]

Do you have a tune installed? Also, have you had a chance to run the car thru the 1/4 stock? If so, and you get an chance to run it again with the 3.73 gears installed, I think you're going to be a bit disappointed when you compare the times.

What he really needs to do is drive a Marauder with 4:10's.....

[SC Cheesehead]

What he really needs to do is drive a Marauder with 4:10's.....

Agreed, but then he only had to pay $240 for the "no difference" gears....:rolleyes:

[juno]

I am glad all you guys without 3.73's know so much about them. :)
It's his car and he is happy.
BTW, 3.73's and 3000 PI + tune took 1.xx sec off my 1/4 when I was stock.
Personally, if I lived in a city or not much highway driving, 4.10's would be great in a N/A MM. If you spend a lot of time (hours) over 80 it may be too much.

[babbage]

I am glad all you guys without 3.73's know so much about them. :)
It's his car and he is happy.
BTW, 3.73's and 3000 PI + tune took 1.xx sec off my 1/4 when I was stock.
Personally, if I lived in a city or not much highway driving, 4.10's would be great in a N/A MM. If you spend a lot of time (hours) over 80 it may be too much.

Amen. We are taking lots of long trips and I like to "go" - plus I didn't want to void my ESP warranty - still have to get axles replaced under warranty. I'll have to wait another 10K miles I figure.

old Circle D unit I had rocked 11.25 but A 10" with about 3400 stall will be great. I want to enjoy a lot more miles on the factory converter before needs replacing.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Hey I installed my own 3.73s and posted pics of the install, I want credit too! Date is in my sig. There is definitely a difference in being able to break the tires loose 3.55 vs. 3.73 with no other changes. It's more of a difference than people make it out to be.

[mpearce]

If you Triliogize, you'll most likely go back to 3:55's.


Dave has stayed with his 3.73's the entire time.

[babbage]

Hey I installed my own 3.73s and posted pics of the install, I want credit too! Date is in my sig. There is definitely a difference in being able to break the tires loose 3.55 vs. 3.73 with no other changes. It's more of a difference than people make it out to be.


11 second club - Bah! We should start a 3.73 club!
;)

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Plus if we ever sell the cars the new owners will be totally confused when they come on this board asking what the gear ratio is, and everyone tells them there is no way someone put 3.73s in your car... oh yes there is

Steve

[SC Cheesehead]

Hey I installed my own 3.73s and posted pics of the install, I want credit too! Date is in my sig. There is definitely a difference in being able to break the tires loose 3.55 vs. 3.73 with no other changes. It's more of a difference than people make it out to be.

From a dead stop, no T/C loading?

Ummm, okay. May want to check those axle seals, sounds like maybe you're getting some oil under your tires....:rolleyes:

[a_d_a_m]

I am glad all you guys without <whatever part is being discussed in a particular thread> know so much about them. Seems to be alot of this going around on MM.net lately.

[SC Cheesehead]

Seems to be alot of this going around on MM.net lately.

Must be a pandemic, everybody's got a bad case of http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/images/smilies/frehya2.gif



:D

[a_d_a_m]

http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/images/smilies/frehya2.gif or the exact opposite!:stupid:

[captain]

I thought i read a thread last week telling us 4:10 is a problem for the rear transmission seal if you dont upgrade the drive shaft....Same hold true for 3:73???

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Critical speed is more of an issue with a higher numerical ratio gear. This car is so long it needs a 2 piece driveshaft like a truck. The 3.73 obviously causes less of a critical speed issue relative to road speed than the 4.10

A better than stock shaft would still be a good upgrade, the car should run smoother no matter what your gear ratio is

[babbage]

Critical speed is more of an issue with a higher numerical ratio gear. This car is so long it needs a 2 piece driveshaft like a truck. The 3.73 obviously causes less of a critical speed issue relative to road speed than the 4.10

A better than stock shaft would still be a good upgrade, the car should run smoother no matter what your gear ratio is

Agreed that's why I also upgraded the drive shaft to an Alcoa MMC.

Metal Matrix Composite - light as aluminum strong as steel. I paid $15 for an $800 shaft! Had new U's put on it. They are in Year 2000 police cars in the junk yard, they came factory with 3:55's which is the same as a Marauder with 3.73's - I can still go 140 safely :burnout: