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St Gearing
- Thread starter ARC
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- '20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
I would believe this whole drivetrain set is programmed for stock optimal performance. As soon as things start to be modified, your reinventing the engineering. The diff gearing is best suited for the transmission gearing ratios, which are custom programmed for the engine's hp and torque. As mentioned, if you want that 1st gear shorter, more hp will do that. If you make it too short, you won't be taking advantage of the engine's power band. The turbos rely on load which would be reduced on shorter gearing. In my opinion, with a formidable tune, a shorter 1st gear would just be a wheelspin inducer. I would leave it as is and have it take you further down the road before it hits 2nd.
I doubt trading the 3.58 for say a 3.73 is going to make any appreciable gains. It's not just about the final drive ratio, it's all about the ratios in each gear of the transmission. As such, the ST has a very good ratio set- see this post here. FIrst gear could be a bit higher along with second gear could be a bit higher which would result in only a single shift to 60 or so, which would help 0-60 times. Other than that, it's pretty well matched for performance.
Having a numerically higher ratio is and was important for 4 & 5 speed NA cars and any truck with larger than stock tires, but with a 10 speed auto and turbos every upshift shift results in the engine operating at or near peak TQ negating most of the benefits of a higher gear ratio.
With an 4WD Explorer you would also need to swap both front and rear differentials further driving down any real performance value.
On the plus side I believe that the ST’s 3.58:1 ratio is the most aggressive out of the explorer line up.
With an 4WD Explorer you would also need to swap both front and rear differentials further driving down any real performance value.
On the plus side I believe that the ST’s 3.58:1 ratio is the most aggressive out of the explorer line up.
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