Hey guys I am sure this has been discussed before. I searched through a few pages but I did not find anything. I was thinkin about getting the 4.57's.
What kind of gas mileage are you getting during normal driving?
What is the acceleration difference?(time wise, when you shift,etc.)
Is there any difference in sound from the rear end?
Top Speed?
Does Rick's have a guarantee with them if there installed by a skilled mechanic?

sorry for all the questions, thanks

Dustin

 

Yes, the part is covered for 1yr from installation for issues from manufacturing. Richmond wil have to evaluate the gear and if the issue is installation relate, it is your issue. If it is manufaturing related, it will be replaced.

 

Your questions may be better served in S2000 Talk.
UTH is more for mechanical topics to do with installation, etc.
Moving now.

 

1. Haven't been paying attention to gas mileage, sorry.
2. Don't have objective time difference documented. 0-60 you can just get by before the 2-3 shift if you get to redline.
Without a doubt, more low end grunt. Can roll out in 2nd if need be. Shifts do come quicker. My "drop down" highway gear was 3 before, now it's 4th.

If you do lots of sustained highway cruising, I'd advise against it. It IS louder and the rpms are higher in 6th at highway speeds.

For me it's fine. Another option is to get an 04 diff from Hardtopguy. I think it's supposed to be quieter.

 

Correction:

A 2004 diff is the same as a 2000 diff as far as the gearing goes.

 

Hmm. My mistake. Is the gearing then just different in the transmission and not in the final drive?

 

Stock final drive is the same. The tranny's secondary reduction gear is what changed in '04. Then they changed gears 5 and 6 so that the highway cruising rpm was about the same as previous years of cars in those gears. With the 2ndary gear, gears 1 to 4 is "like" having 4.44s (approx.) in the diff of previous years.

 

In other words having an 04 tranny you are hitting 2 birds with one stone. Better accelaration on low gears and good relaxing cruising rpm on high gears.

 

Why not put the 4:57's in an 04 pumpkin?

 

You compound the change in gear ratios for gears 1 through 4, making them "seem" like you've got 4.88s in the diff. Gears 5 and 6 will still behave like you have 4.57's (nothing changes here). So, if you don't mind having 4.88s (a lot of shifting), then sure, why not? Might be worth a giggle in stop light drags.