Gears from ricks?
 

Okay, so i intend to run basically stock, I got an AEM V1 intake, and a Invidia exhaust system, but other than that I will probably not change anything, (other than maybe suspension) but anyways, what im getting at is what is the best setup? I notice alot of people are running 4.77 is that the best all around? are the others better for a stock setup?

sorry if this should be in UTH wasnt sure where i should post this one..

Your setup isn't as important as what you want to do with it. If you just want to drag race and have more pep around town, then 4.77s are the only choice worth considering. I say this because they really aren't all that noticeable. Before I got my 4.77s, I was scared that they were going to be too much of a change, but it wasn't at all. However, if you plan on autocrossing, then stick with stock 4.10s! I haven't found a course yet where my 4.77s weren't a serious disadvantage. On the track, there isn't any particular gear ratio that is best, since every track is different. On one track, 4.77 might be best while on another 4.44 or 4.10s might be best.

Yes basically that is what i would like. I dont intend to track my car, although i would like to take it and track it and i'll probably get hooked, but for right now I'm just thinking for some more pep and power around town. Thanks alot, i'll have to look into it. I may just stay stock; do you regret converting?

listen to what gernby says! forget about your set up and start thinking about what youre really going to be doing with your car... just remember you lose top end the higher you go!

It is true that you will be limitted to about 143 MPH with 4.77s, and 4.57s will limit you to about 148, but unless you have an exceptional engine, you won't get above 150 MPH (actual not indicated) with 4.10s.

So let me see if i have the correct understanding.

Higher gear = faster acceleration but lose some top end correct??

I too am confused, as I would figure that better acceleration in autocross would be an advantage as opposed to top end. (Who hits 150mph in an autocross?)

glad im not the only one benefiting from this... thx for sharing your knowledge with me.

[QUOTE=DJRobNM,Jul 27 2004, 12:32 PM] I too am confused, as I would figure that better acceleration in autocross would be an advantage as opposed to top end.

Lower gearing (numerically higher) = better accelleration from a stop.

Lower gearing = better or worse accelleration from XX MPH, depending on XX.

Lower gearing limits top speed sometimes. For example, with stock gearing, the car could do over 160 MPH if it had enough power. However, a stock S2000 doesn't have enough power to reach 160 MPH, so lower gearing won't necessarily reduce top speed. With 4.33s or 4.44s, you will be able to reach about the same top speed, but at a higher RPM. With 4.57s or 4.77s you will hit redline before you run out of power, so your top speed will be reduced.

In autocrossing, and on most tracks, top speed isn't the issue. The problem with autocrossing is that most courses (that I autocross) can be done entirely in 1st and 2nd gear, with only 1 shift from 1st to 2nd. With my 4.77s, I usually have to shift 10+ times from 1st -> 2nd -> 3rd -> 2nd -> 3rd -> 2nd etc. Not only is the extra shifting slowing me down, but the car actually has less power, since 2nd gear with 4.10s has more power than 3rd gear with 4.77s. Basically, if a particular corner has an exit speed of ~50 MPH, then I'm going to have to be in 3rd while all the stock S2000s will be in 2nd.