well i put this final drive in my tranny a few month back and i really like it but the only thing is when i cruising on the hwy in 5th the rpm is a 4-4500. Is there anything i can do just to lower the rpm in 5th. I heard I can put a LS 5th gear in it to lower rpm. So my question is will the LS 5th gear hurt performance at all or is there anything else i can do? thanks

 

Can't remember the exact poster but there's a ton of info on that subject using the LS 5th. It can be done but most R owners say not to do it because your RPM drop on the 4th-5th shift is terrible.
If I change a final drive in the future I'd be going for the 4.9 but I'll keep the stock 5th.

 

stop speeding. when i had a 4.7 only time i was at 4500 is when i was at 80mph. i now have a 4.9 and even at 65 im still at 4300 rpm.

 

Other than mechanically changing your 5th gear to a different gear (GS-R or LS) or a different Final Drive (4.40), as Dan said, just slow down. Slowing down is the cheapest and will save you money on MPG's.

 

I have the LS 5th in my 4.78 final drive USDM tranny and I regret doing it. The rpm drop between the usdm ITR 4th and the LS 5th is very drastic. I drove across the country with this setup and though the cruising rpm (3900 @ 80mph) is nice, there is pretty much zero torque when it's time to go up an incline and requires you to shift down to 4th and the rpms jump up 2500-3000rpms. Honestly the MPG savings are not really worth it if there even are any. I didnt notice any. I will be swapping my usdm 5th back in when I get back to the east coast. Hope my review helps.

 

According to MFactory's gear calculator it shows rpm's to be 3800 @ 65 w/ stock tire size using the 4.9. 4300 would put it at 74 by the calculator. Am I overlooking something here?

 

my tires aren't stock and my cluster is in km so im just guesstimating.

 

LOL, when you gave those specs I was highly considering keeping the 4.40! Thanks for clarifying.

So what size tires are you on now anyway? I'm on 205-50-15's.

 

Any gear changes will take several years for the average driver to recoup their money through fuel savings.

You will get better mileage with the stock 5th than you will the LS 5th and won't want to shoot yourself everytime you shift into 5th.

Anything you do to lower the RPM other than slowing down will hurt performance and fuel economy.

 

i agree. just drive slower. i cruise at 60-65 and love my mpg. its a lot cooler too haha. and the power is there when i need it from a downshift.

 

96 spec 4.4 final drive are the best...
some say.

 

Is that what you have in your Type R? Why is the 4.4 the best?

 

I want to know who these people are.

 

Slowing down for better MPG, that is a great idea.

 

I don't mean to be a jackass or clutter the thread but post like these (especially an entry post) drive me nuts. If you don't own a Type R fine, if you do then fine also. If you think the 4.4 is best then I'm all ears to know your opinion why so.