I'm guessing some of you guys have made the change from 4.44 to 4.78? I figure I can get my USDM R trans changed over to 4.78 for about $600-700 total.

Is it worth that much $? I feel that I'm always in between 2nd and 3rd gears at the track. I'm figuring that I will still be in between those gears at some points, but it would be nice to leave it in 3rd as much as possible.

I figure it would help with entry speed on reducing radius corners since you're not slowing down to be able to put it in 2nd at the wide radius part of the corner just so you can exit fast after the corner slows down.

But I don't wanna spend that kinda $ unless it's worth it. What do you guys think? Anyone in the chicago area want to take me for a ride with their 4.78FD or something?

 

the 4.78 is noticeable bud. if you can see if you can find an ATS or equivalent 4.9 Final drive. that will really open your gearing up (not even kidding)

be warned when playing with the final drive it effects all your gears, and you can expect to be revving higher highway driving too.

that is where you have to ask yourself is your car used for track, leisure, highway, etc?

and go from there.

 

Yes, it is a noticable difference. I have had a number of customers over the years run them. Although my current car is not finished yet, what i did to make the swap worth while was source out a used 2000 model jdm spec itr trasmission that already had the FD. I was lucky to get a deal, as i worked for Honda, so i bought new syncro's, new 3rd gear (as they are known for grinding), and an LS 5th gear so i would be able to have decent rev's for hiway driving. This combination cost me $1000

I sold off my regular 4.4 FD itr transmission for $850, so the whole upgrade turned out dirt cheap!

 

I have a JDM ITR trans with the 4.7, and it's noticeable in mostly good ways. The only downside is that I need to shift to 4th in some areas where I'd rather not have to shift (T8-9 at Gingerman for example). I never use 2nd there or at Autobahn with the 4.7 nor the 4.4 in my old car though.

I'm in Chicago but may or may not be driving the car much more this year. If I am, and you're around, you are more than welcome to go for a ride to compare.

 

Keep in mind that the usdm itr transmission has shorter 4th and 5th gears than the jdm 98 spec with a 4.7.

The Final Drive swap is probably the best bang for the buck upgrade you can do. You won't regret it.

 

I get fairly far into 4th from gingerman T8-9 with my 4.4FD after redlining 3rd Thats no big. I also momentarily go into 4th between T4 and T5. Again, no big.

I have a problem with something like T2 at gingerman...you can enter in 3rd, but its a little boggy coming out. I also have to go down to 2nd thru T3.

Thanks for the advice. Can u pm me if you're available to meet up on like saturday? Idk where youre from. Id come to you.

Also, someone else had mentioned just finding a deal on a JDM trans and selling my USDM trans, I did find a local selling for $950. There was no way I was paying cash...but he wouldnt accept paypal, and the whole deal got a bit shady so I kinda stepped back. So if your trans was recently stolen....lol. The 4.7FD trans has a gsr 5th...so cruising rpm would be fine with the stock gearing. It'd be the same highway revs as the 4.4 trans.

 

My ITR is driven to and from the track. As well as just other misc street/highway in the summer. I have a S2000 for the same purpose and currently have a canadian 2001 integra for winter duty or as a backup if I need a stock, non theft kinda car. The R having short gearing is not an issue.

4.9 might be a bit too much gear though, lol. I know someone with a 4.9 that says theyre not a huge fan. He recommended the 4.7. I just wanted to see how it stacked up to my 4.4. Seems like everyone finds its a noticeable difference. Might be time to order parts!

 

I use 3rd in T2 and am hitting 4th at the exit/beginning of straight between T2-3.

I'll PM you when I'm free as soon as I know, ha. I don't know what's going on this weekend yet.

 

It has a gsr 4th too. The rpm's would be roughly the same as a 4.4 on the highway, but not if you put a 4.7 in your transmission.

Here is a useful gear calculator I used before I purchased my 4.9 for my usdm itr transmission.

http://teammfactory.com/gear-calculator

 

Had the 4.7 on my GSR and loved it, just recently put the ATS 4.9 in the ITR and I will say it's VERY noticeable. I find myself in 5th gear just cruising around on the streets, worthwhile upgrade but I can see why it's a love hate relationship for some. As others have said it's one of the best bang for the buck upgrades.

 

Here is an illustrated comparison of a US ITR trans with stock 4.4 final vs a US ITR trans with a 4.78 final. Both have 205/45/16 installed:

http://www.teammfactory.com/gearcalc...ission+1+%26+2

Here is an illustrated comparison of a US ITR trans with stock 4.4 final vs a JDM 98-spec ITR trans with stock 4.78 final. Both have 205/45/16 installed:

http://www.teammfactory.com/gearcalc...ission+1+%26+2

Here is an illustrated comparison of a US ITR trans with 4.78 final vs a JDM 98-spec ITR trans with stock 4.78 final. Both have 205/45/16 installed:

http://www.teammfactory.com/gearcalc...ission+1+%26+2

I love this gear calculator...

 

I looked at the gear calculators already. I just wanted to knhow how it "feels". Looks like about a 300-400 rpm jump at 80mph from the 4.4. Ill have to cruise in 5th at like 4700ish rpm on the highway with my stock gears and the 4.7. That's acceptable.

Im using a 205/50/15 tire.

If I decided on the GSR gear, what parts would I need to buy? Obviously the gear itself ($53 from bernardiparts). But anything else?

 

I have JDM 4.7 and love it same as everyone else BTW If you need parts I work at ACURA Parts, David Mcdavid Plano

 

I found the 4.7 more than adequate, especially with the 205/50/15s.

 

Cool. I can't wait to do this now. I just have to start saving up. I'd honestly prefer just buying the 4.7FD JDM trans all together. But I'd be fine with doing the final drive and having it installed into my existing trans also.

I figure it'll be around $700...which is a lot....but...you only live one or two times. I'm too tough to die.

 

You said it well man! I've raved about this calculator for a while now. I've heard others say it's not that accurate but I'm sure it's at least close to being correct.

But as I've said before if I don't build a boosted motor, this is the route I will go. Even though I don't track the car I like what I see on the graph using the 4.9 in the USDM tranny as compared to using the 4.78. I don't think an extra 400-500 revs on the HWY will bother me anyway.

 

You guys can also get boosts in torque by running smaller diameter tires. Going from a 205/45/16 to a 205/40/16 is 4% reduction in final gearing. The main difference is that your gauges cannot reflect a tire diameter change. Essentially your speedo and odometer will would just read 4% high so you won't really notice the change like you do with the final drive installed.

On 205/40/16 my speedo reads 5mph high at a true 65mpg with stock 4.4 (3550rpm). I'm sure some of that large error has to do with using a civic speedo, combined with Honda making purposely making their speedos read high to keep people driving slower.

 

I have the 4.9 and couldn't be happier with it. I drive it to and from the track and thats it. If it's going to be a dd highway car I wouldn't go with the 4.9. You think the 400-500 rpms isn't that much but you're coming from the 4.4, so you will notice it a lot at highway speeds. It all depends on preference, you might not mind the highway driving with the 4.9.

 

Same thing with my 205/50/15's, 4 to 5 mph ish.

 

I still say it's also what kind of exhaust you have. I'll never go go back with an Apex N1 for sure. It was OK with the baffle installed but what fun is that?

 

I would highly recommend changing the FD. JDM 4.7 is a good upgrade while the ATS 4.9 may be a bit impractical for street/track cars. My car has a 4.9 and 1st and 2nd are pretty much useless.

Another thing to keep in mind is that eventually you might want a bigger tire/wheel combo, since a lot of people found the 205/50-15 or even 225/45-15 inadequate. Once the overall diameter increases, the higher FD can offset the negative effect.

 

QFT

 

Do you just light the tires up that easy in the 1st 2 gears? Just wondering how much power your car is making to make them useless.

 

Im finna use a 225/45/15-F and 205/50/15-R if I can find some 15x7 wheels this year. I might run 16s on the street with 215/45/16s. That'll mitigate some gearing loss. I'll use my stock wheels with 205 ADVAN AD08s for rainy track days.

What larger sizing are people using, wai? 245/45/16? 245/40/17?

 

Not really lighting the tires up, but running out of rev way too quickly. I haven't been able to use 2nd on any of the tracks here in the midwest area, which is not necessarily a bad thing.