xviper has provided a much more thorough and sophisticated report on driving with a modified rear gear set (he has 4.44 as well), but I though I'd post my initial impressions after several hours of aggressive driving on part of the original Fall Colors course as well as an Interstate or two.

First, don't expect the difference to make you faint. While the car is noticeably quicker, particularly in the lower RPM ranges, it won't feel like it suddenly has a booster rocket attached

Two improvements stand out. First, the car feels like it has more torque. For example, when in 3rd gear, lugging along at 3,500 to 4,000 RPM, when you punch the gas, the car accelerates noticeably quicker, with a lot more punch. In any gear, the car feels like it has more torque when you accelerate below 6,000 RPM. In VTEC, the difference is much less noticeable, largely becuase of the kick provided in the transition. And yes, you can easily chirp the tires in a 1-2 upshift, although this is not something that's very important to me.

Second, as others have noted, moving away from a stop in first gear requires less clutch play, which is a nice bonus. It's just smoother and easier.

Finally, VTEC comes sooner in every gear, which I think is a good thing, since I love running above 6,000 RPM. Stock, redline in first comes at about 39MPH; with the 4.44 gear set, it was about 36 MPH based on my glance down at the speedo.

All and all I think this is a great performance mod, and it's the first real one I've made to my car other than a bored and polished throttle body and AEM intake, which to my way of thinking, don't provide anything near the gain of the gear set. I also like the gear set because it provides the equivalent of more torque without major engine mods. I want to keep my car NI, so this was an appealing performance gain.

But don't expect this mod to be a substitute for strapping on a turbocharger.

 

Great review. I'm anxiously awaiting your word on pricing on the 4.44. If it's $750 as you stated in the other thread, I'm placing my order soon.

 

I guess you didn't plan on breaking the gears in gently?

 

Is this mod considered "safe" on a car with FI? Or would that present too much stress on the drivetrain with both installed? It probably should be a "one or the other" type of thing....

JJ

 

xviper has the gears and the Vortech supercharger.

I don't really see how it could be worse to do this to a FI car. The engine doesn't produce more power with the new gears, you're just taking advantage of whats already there, basically.

 

Hey rick how do you think the 4.77's would be?
Any shot you could look into getting us revised 6th gear's? I'd get the 4.77's if I could widen 6th, otherwise the highway RPM's would be really high.

People know the gears are one of the best NA mods for the car, they'd have to buy two parts from you. The great thing is you
don't need to get them both at once. I could keep the 4.77's until I couldn't take it anymore then get the revised 6th gear.

If you can get the 6th cog with 4.77's to turn the same RPM as the stock car you'd make a ton of money.
(or at least some from me
-Ed

 

Great! Thanks!

JJ

 

how are the highway speeds. RPM wise. i know at like 55 MPH im at like 3,000 RPMs. what are you at?

thanks

MAtt

 

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by NoMoreWRX
[B]Hey rick how do you think the 4.77's would be?
Any shot you could look into getting us revised 6th gear's? I'd get the 4.77's if I could widen 6th, otherwise the highway RPM's would be really high.