Tall gearing on MT82

[tastetickles]

Hi, I'm new here and I have a question before i sign on the dotted line for a 2026 Mustang GT and it is regarding the MT82 D4. I've read a lot of threads on the MT82 and Tremec so it is not so much about reliability or problems but rather how does the tall gearing in the MT82 actually feels when having a little fun in the twisties, rev matching, heel toe, etc? For context i have a lightly modded Focus RS and the gearing on that car is just nice, there are more negative comments I'd read regarding the tall gearing on the MT82. Is it really that bad? (Where I live i can't get the Tremec at all, its either the MT82 or 10R80). Thanks.

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[robvas]

Can you put 4.09's in the rear?

 

[tastetickles]

Can you put 4.09's in the rear?

That would be a Yes But Not Easy as I would have to ship the parts required from the states and have to look for someone who knows how to install it properly. I live in a very low population country (around 460K population) so they aren't many good mechanics around.

 

[Katastrophe]

Short answer...yes, the gearing is long AF on the MT82-D4 manual transmission. I've always said there should be a 4.XX:1 option from the factory on these cars. This video review should give you an idea of how long the gears are...

2020 FORD MUSTANG BULLITT - REVIEW POV Test Drive on AUTOBAHN & ROAD by AutoTopNL

This is obviously the previous generation S550 (Bullitt), but the same transmission ratios are used.
(For what it's worth, the Bullitt used 255/40/19 front and 275/40/19 rear tire sizes).

Hope this helps!

 

[LouG]

Watch Misha Charoudins Nurburgring vids with getrag Mustangs, he changes into 6th and they fall right off the power band. It may not be such an issue for normal street driving though.
I'm guessing your roads are more winding than straight, like ours?
The 10 speed may be a better bet.

 

[tastetickles]

Short answer...yes, the gearing is long AF on the MT82-D4 manual transmission. I've always said there should be a 4.XX:1 option from the factory on these cars. This video review should give you an idea of how long the gears are...

2020 FORD MUSTANG BULLITT - REVIEW POV Test Drive on AUTOBAHN & ROAD by AutoTopNL

This is obviously the previous generation S550 (Bullitt), but the same transmission ratios are used.
(For what it's worth, the Bullitt used 255/40/19 front and 275/40/19 rear tire sizes).

Hope this helps!

Wow that is indeed a very tall gearing. Thanks for the video, it is enlightening.

 

[robvas]

These numbers are 7500rpm redline and 27" tall tire with 3.55's:

 

[Neggytive]

There are charts out there that give the effective gear ratio's factoring in transmission gears, differential and tire size that explain the math

The 10 speed has a super low 1st gear so it does not need a 3.55 gear, where the sticks do not have that low first gear so it does,

If you take the trans ratio times the rear gear ratio it will give you effective gear ratio, but remember tall tires require lower gears but we will ignore the tires for the moment

 

[DeeDub SC]

Just a practical comment here on my 2024 GT Premium with std 6MT. I find it just fine to drive in all situations. The shift action is smooth and fast and the ratios seem just fine for street and spirited backroad driving. You never get past 4th in those modes anyway, so the big drop-off going into 6th doesn't affect anything realistically, plus gives nice, relaxed cruise on the interstates. I know lots of folks say the DH Tremac is a big step-up, but driving DH at the Mustang Unleashed track day was not a noticeable difference to me versus my GT, and I have been driving all sorts of high-po MT cars for decades. So, in short, unless you are doing serious track driving or are just adamant on having all the hottest options, I see nothing to lose going with the std 6MT. The only car mag review I have read on the 10-speed auto was not complimentary, and I personally cannot see any real use for ten gears in ANY condition! Just my opinion! Hope you find a good solution and enjoy a new Mustang!

 

[Charger68]

I thought its gear ratios short, especially compared to my 2000 Corvette. That had a Tremec with much taller gears, but the GT has a 7000 or so redline. That makes sense for the Getrag first gear at 3.237 vs the 2000 C5‘s 2.66. Plus the GT rear end starts at 3.55.

 

[robvas]

Changing to a properly geared setup like 4.09 is a night and day difference.

 

[John S]

I personally cannot see any real use for ten gears in ANY condition!

Correct, the 10-speed was demanded by Ford Marketing to counter the GM and ZF 8-speeds but it's just silly and busy, even for the truck applications. Ford Engineering was able to at least prevail on simplifying the even more silly GM based FWD 9-speeds to 8-speed and 7-speed (calibration trickery) for Ford's applications.

 

[Trap]

Having the performance pkg with 3.73 gears does make it a little better, and liveable.
Switching to 4.09 gears would be the sweet spot.

 

[LouG]

I also think 10 gears is 2 or 3 too many, but it does work well. At least in mine it does. It never hunts for gears and keeps the revs at the right point whether your cruising or getting feral. Sport and track modes are very well done.
I do like paddle shifting too.

 

[tlr3715]

I have a 25 GT with performance pack which has the higher final drive ratio. Compared to the 17 GT I had prior which also had the performance pack the gearing is much taller. It’s sluggish at low RPM. Once you get the revs up it’s quite lively from that point forward. 5th and 6th gears are both overdrives which is a bit odd but has enough torque to make them feel normal. They put taller gears most likely for two reasons gas mileage and keeping the cost down by equipping the same 255, 265, or 275 width rear tires which would be inadequate for a near 500 HP machine with aggressive gearing. As it is, it hooks quite well on warm dry days.

As for the transmission feel itself, the actions is the same as my 2017. There are long rods that connect the shifter to the transmission and you can feel them flex and snap into gear. It also does not like to be rushed and they reduced the engine cutoff to about 7,250 RPM because it is not designed to shift beyond that rev range. (The gauge still shows a redline of 7,500 but will not let you rev that high) The Tremec from the Darkhorse would not have any of those issues. Coincidentally I had the same model Tremec in a 2024 Camaro RS. I can attest it is a great transmission and can shift about as fast as you can move your arm.

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