Hey everyone...well it turned out my car had the 9-bolt after all even though the RPO sticker said GU5 for 3.23 (someone must have put a 9-bolt in) ...it looks like I might be getting the 9" Ford Moser as a replacement. Its probably more than I need but is one of the only reasonable options and there are few used 10 bolts around here for my car and price versus a used rusted one and new rear end is comparable. Anyway I was wondering what is the best gear ratio to go with. Here is my car setup and future expectations:

-Car is currently all stock (plan to get it up to 300hp in about a year)
-In the cars lifetime I probably won't go modding it beyond 400hp as its not going to be a drag car or a race car.
-Car has 245/50/16 tires all around if thats important lol
-I still want to have high top end speed but satisfactory gas mileage for city and highway

So heres what gear ratio's I was considering...go with the supposed to be stock 3.23, 3.42, 3.55, and maybe 3.73 (although I hear gas mileage isn't so good) Opinions...Thanks, Josh

 

unless the 9 is damaged, IMO keep the 9 bolt and just do a gear change. I have the 3.45 and love it. good gas mileage, great top end, and comes out of the hole.

 

its really rusted and parts are hard to find...not to mention it failed on me thats why I am doing all this...

 

if you can get a 3.42 in the 9 inch get it. else go nearest, which is 3.55

i've run 2.77's 3.27's and 3.42's and i love my 3.42's for my 300hp L98 and stock sized tires. great all around gear.

I still plan to run it for my 500-ish hp 383 although only temporarily till i get some 3.73's or a bigger rear

 

I like the 3.42 gears I have they provide a nice balance between low end performance, but don't get the RPMs up too high on the highway

 

3.42 is the best all around gear for a spirited-but-not-quite-racer type car. It is the best compromise between mileage and performance.

You'll be happy with that. 3.5x is the next best thing.

 

Stay with the 9 bolt. I am making 470 horse and still have not broken the rear. If you do a gear change with the 9 bolt the only option is 3.7's

 

I use to have 2.77's in my Camaro, and ran a best of 13.8 at 97. I now have 3.45's and my best is a 13.3 at 100. IMO 3.45 is the best gear for my 300 hp L98, and with 400 lb ft of torque they make for long burnouts as well.

 

i ran 13.89 at 96.6 with my 2.77's as well but on street tires with my converter. Did you have drag radials and/or a converter?

my 3.27's put me at 100mph some times but i was unable to break much better than 13.89 with my street tires. I went 13.88 at 98 with the 3.27's and thats the last of the street tire runs. Slicks went 13.79 in july heat before the rear broke and then went 13.6's with 3.42 10 bolt rear swap in the early winter/late fall

 

13.3 was on DRS yes..