View Poll Results: Are gears worth it?
Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll
4.56 or not?
Moderator
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,904
Likes: 93
From: Big Box suburb, IL
Oh yeah....4.56's are close to what, $400. 4.77's can be picked up for around $100.
I have a brand new ring and pinion set (4.77) that I picked up for $80. Mazda Kia gears are significantly cheaper than the Richmond 4.56. There's a value consideration to factor in if that's important.
I have a brand new ring and pinion set (4.77) that I picked up for $80. Mazda Kia gears are significantly cheaper than the Richmond 4.56. There's a value consideration to factor in if that's important.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 79,195
Likes: 18
From: Home
No biggie, just clarifiying for the masses.
I only have stock gear. I have never driven a car with modified gears. (I have driven an '04, but I didn't notice much of a difference. RIDING in a different '04 I HAVE noticed a difference.)
Personally all the research I have seen tends to show that if I went for gears I would get 4.56. They seem to be better engineered, stronger, and offer just THAT much more punch without needing too many more shifts and without sacrificing any of the top end. (Yes, I have had it well over 127.)
I think bang for the buck, gears are the way to go for perf mods. Everthing else, headers, intakes, ect are all crap. Less than 5 HP if you buy them all. Unless you plan to go forced induction, gears are the mod to get.
I only have stock gear. I have never driven a car with modified gears. (I have driven an '04, but I didn't notice much of a difference. RIDING in a different '04 I HAVE noticed a difference.)
Personally all the research I have seen tends to show that if I went for gears I would get 4.56. They seem to be better engineered, stronger, and offer just THAT much more punch without needing too many more shifts and without sacrificing any of the top end. (Yes, I have had it well over 127.)
I think bang for the buck, gears are the way to go for perf mods. Everthing else, headers, intakes, ect are all crap. Less than 5 HP if you buy them all. Unless you plan to go forced induction, gears are the mod to get.
Moderator
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,904
Likes: 93
From: Big Box suburb, IL
Actually Pete, there aren't many instances of 4.77's grenading because of bad or faulty construction of the gears.
There is no conclusive evidence either way for that. However, there have been a few 4.77 and 4.56 rear ends that have failed due to other errors like weak carrier assemblies, lack of fluid, mis-shimmed diffs, etc.
As for the "extra" gear change, unless you're competing with the likes of Mario Andretti, an extra shift with the S2000 tranny is probably the last thing to worry about.
My reading (research) from what many have stated after their 4.77 and 4.56 installs has lead me to go for the 4.77s. If you search you'll find that even a few that went 4.56's ended up going 4.77s. I don't seem to recall reading about people going the other way though.
However, now you and I are getting into subjective matter. I personally feel that the 4.77 is better for me. Brendan, once I get my final drive in, you're more than welcome to test drive my car. They'll be going in the next month or two.
There is no conclusive evidence either way for that. However, there have been a few 4.77 and 4.56 rear ends that have failed due to other errors like weak carrier assemblies, lack of fluid, mis-shimmed diffs, etc.
As for the "extra" gear change, unless you're competing with the likes of Mario Andretti, an extra shift with the S2000 tranny is probably the last thing to worry about.
My reading (research) from what many have stated after their 4.77 and 4.56 installs has lead me to go for the 4.77s. If you search you'll find that even a few that went 4.56's ended up going 4.77s. I don't seem to recall reading about people going the other way though.
However, now you and I are getting into subjective matter. I personally feel that the 4.77 is better for me. Brendan, once I get my final drive in, you're more than welcome to test drive my car. They'll be going in the next month or two.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,776
Likes: 1
From: Chicago (ex London UK)
mmmmm gears 
Ive never driven an S2000 with 4.57 (4.56 are just out), but i have driven Pinyo's 4.77 S, and there is quite a bit of acceleration difference over stock.
The only reason I would probably do a 4.56 is because I have an 04 which with the reduction gears in the tranny puts the gearing around 4.6x anyway. What would bother me more with the 4.77s than the extra shifting, would be the increased revs when cruising on the highway. I thinkI am correct though in saying that 4.77 have less gear whine than the 4.57 (not sure what the effect of 4.56 are).
Ive never driven an S2000 with 4.57 (4.56 are just out), but i have driven Pinyo's 4.77 S, and there is quite a bit of acceleration difference over stock.
The only reason I would probably do a 4.56 is because I have an 04 which with the reduction gears in the tranny puts the gearing around 4.6x anyway. What would bother me more with the 4.77s than the extra shifting, would be the increased revs when cruising on the highway. I thinkI am correct though in saying that 4.77 have less gear whine than the 4.57 (not sure what the effect of 4.56 are).