I have looked around for the answers but can not seem to find them

What are the exact difference between these aftermarket gears?

What are their advantages and disadvantages?

Yes i tried to use the search button but it does not work!

Thank you everybody!

-Paul

 

Basically they are very similar yet different.

They are so close that the difference between them could be modified with the tire size to make them the same.

The 4.56s are made by Richmond and appear stronger in construction.

The 4.77s are made by Mazda.

 

but what do they actually do for the performance of the S2000
which one is the better bang for the buck?

 

If you do more highway driving the 4.56 gears are more in line for you but, if your driving is more city and about town then the 4.77 gears may be better. The 4.56 gears will pull about 3 cars on a stock S and the 4.77 gears a little more. Your engine speed (RPMs) will increase with both gear sets, the 4.77 being the set to rase it the most. You will lose top end speed but get a much better 0-60 mph zing.
Wisconsin S2k has made a great video to show the deference that gears make over a stock S2000's 4.10 gear set. This is just the nut shell of the gear mod

 

see that helps
thank you very much!

so highway 4.77 is bad, and obviously wouldnt be very economical in terms of gas usage because at 60mph it would be revving much higher than normal im guessing!

Thanks

 

There are a lot of questions on doing the gear mod and I am by no means an expert on it.
We should have a place to go to on the forum to read and learn more about it, maybe something like we have for forced induction.
Gears are becoming more and more of a popular mod that it may warrant it's own place here on the S2KI forum

 

+1

 

Not a valid assumption.
One of the guys in the Metro NY area has 4.77 and has not experienced lower mpg.

 

Could some of the experts please chime in. I'm about to get gears for my 03 S2000. I drive 50:50 mix city/hwy.

Questions:

1) is one gear better in fit, workmanship, quality or durability etc..
2) Is the loss of top speed a big deal? I don't drive 140+ mph. Not even sure if/when I go to the track if I'll need more than 143 mph.


Here are a few figures for 03 S2000 from turnzero calculator:

Speed at 80mph:
4.1 (5th gear 5100 rpm) (6th gear 4300 rpm)
4.56 (6th gear 4800 rpms)
4.77 (6th gear 5000 rpms)

top speed:
4.1 (5th gear 139 mph) (6th gear 167 mph)
4.56 (6th gear 150 mph)
4.77 (6th gear 143 mph)

So the 4.77 gears seem to me to be almost one gear down on the stock. What I mean is 6th gear (4.77) should feel like 5th gear (stock).

I guess, its possible to test out livability on the highway by driving in 5th gear (stock) to try out what 4.77 will feel/sound like.

 

1) They are both quality products. Installation would be more likely to dictate the ultimate reliability of the gears.

2) Unless you plan on driving that fast, no.