Okay so after reading all the info here about the mazda and kia gears I really wanted to change. But I didn't want to spend $600. The 4.77's are to high for me. I do 60 miles a day on the freeway. So here is what I found out.

4.53's anyone?
06 Kia Sportage LX IL4 4WD uses a 4.53 gear. Also made by mazda. Should work. I'm going to order one and see. If not I can always return it.

the 4.44's from Kia are BACK.
06 Sportage 2.7 V6 4WD has the 4.407:1. Have not verified prices yet. I will get it later today. I'm running the parts manager around getting prices, especially since they just took over the KIA dealership he has to call LA to get the price and part #.

Also
05 Sorento LX 2WD V6 uses a 4.67.

All (at least in San Diego) are special order.

EDITED PLEASE SEE BELOW

 

Here are my full finding thus far.

- 03 Sportage V6 3.5 4WD; 4.67 ratio; $413.35 Retail at dealer, $297.54 @ kiaparts.com
Front - 53210-3E500
Rear - 53210-3E100

- 06 Sportage 2.0L IL4 4WD MT; 4.53 ratio; $925.60 Retail; $653.25 Dealer cost; Part #: Front: 47339-39200; This is a full set (gear, pinion, and 2 bearings)
NOTE: This is listed as a hypoid gear and I am unsure if it will work.

The power went out while I was at the KIA dealer before I could find out price or part# for the 4.44's from KIA.

Also for those wondering about gear ratios. Here you go.
http://www.turnzero.com/technical_resource...gear_calculator

Ratio: 75 mph: 80 mph
4.10: 4000 : 4350
4.44: 4400 : 4600
4.53: 4500 : 4700
4.67: 4650 : 4900
4.77: 4800 : 5000

 

Good info.

 

The 4.44 is supposed to be in the 2.7 V6 4WD Sportage according to the kia website. A call from the local KIA dealer said he couldn't find the ring & pinion for the car listed above, but he will try again monday. So until monday...

 

why not just go with rick's new stronger gears? the ratios are so close. regardless, thank you for the info.

 

 

Update us!

 

dyhappy, the reason I don't want to go ricks is $$$. While it is well noted that Ricks' units are very well built and the ratio is considered "perfect" for the S2K I don't want to spend $600 for the unit unless I have no other options. I am more than sure that $600 is a great price for the Rick's unit but I don't want to spend that. Also I would like options. Options are good.

Okay so now for the update.
Until KIA updates their dealers with the new 06 info for the 06 V6 4WD model to reflect the 4.44 we won't know price or part number.

The 4.53 "hypoid" unit from what I understand will not work in our rear ends. There is more than one thing wrong that will not let it fit. My fear is that the new 4.44 will also be a Hypoid unit thereby not giving us any new options for the 4.44.

I do have a part # for the 4.44 (0K016-27-110) from the 95-2000 sportage. Problem though, no one in america (USA and Canada) carry it. So I'm not sure how to obtain it.

But if you don't want the 4.77 (to high) you could get the 4.67. Not much of a difference, but a little, as far as I can see in terms of RPM at speed (75 or 80).

Also there are two part #'s for the rear transfer of the 4WD sportages. I am unsure of their gear ratio, though I assume the ratio is the same as the front. Not sure why they are different part numbers.
0K020-27-110


And here is a mystery part # for a gear set. In the US 95 SOHC Sportage ONLY. After looking on some other sites I think it is a 4.043 gear but am unsure. 0K03A-27-110

Quick Reference:
0K014-27-110: 4.77
53210-3E500: 4.67

Unknown Please Help:
0K03A-27-110: Unknown (maybe 4.043) (95 SOHC Sportage)
0K016-27-110: believed to be the 4.44
0K020-27-110: 2000 Sportage Rear Diff


I will keep you updated on what I can find out.

 

any updates on the kia 4.44??
thanks for majority of the footwork!!

 

All modern differential gear sets are hypoid. Basically, this refers to the geometry of how the gears intersect, which defines the shape of the gear teeth (curved).

The biggest issue with the Mazda or Khia gear set is pinion rotation direction (CW or CCW). Since the engine in the S200 turns the opposite direction from the Khia engine, you need the ring & pinion set from the front axle of a Khia 4wd (since it spins in the opposite direction from the rear).

There are several vendors in the marketplace who have already done this homework and sell the proper gearset for a reasonable profit. I would suggest you purchase the gears from someone who knows much more about this swap than you or your local Khia parts counter guy.