Originally Posted by davidnyc

I think the ATS will come in handy...

For example, the last turn at Beaver (is it 11?) that goes uphill towards the start finish straight. I had to take this turn in 2nd on stock FD. But with the ATS, I would of had the option of being in 2nd or 3rd. Why does this matter? If I was in 3rd with ATS, I would of been able to hold the whole gear throughout the turn and shift when wheels are straight at the end of the turn (just guessing, ECHC can verify, they run ATS FD's). In 2nd gear (stock FD) I had to shift in the turn.

I am honestly not sure if the ATS makes 3rd gear feel like a stock 2nd gear. It makes it feel more like a 2.5 gear (it is more than stock 2nd but less than stock 3rd).

Originally Posted by 1Greyteg

"So post all your questions.
My Opinion and Impression is summed up by a simple sentence: The addition of the ATS 4.929 Final Drive and Toda Flywheel makes my R more driveable, enjoyable and a whole bunch more fun.

I swapped my stock R rims/tires back on to really play around today and test it all out. Needless to say I was extremely pleased. One of the things I noticed and liked was the way the throttle felt when I blipped, revved it and matched the gears at all RPM. The flywheel alone is a great mod. It makes for easier shifting better rev matching and faster throttle response. I never lost it and stalled, and it no longer bogs.

To answer what I think of the FD, I have to ask in general,

Why did the boys at Honda/Acura even downgrade the FD from the JDM FD to the USDM?

I really don't understand this decision on their part. I mean with the higher ratio, it is a stronger pull in every gear. It never bogs, even if you have a higher gear than required like cruising in 5th and you slow up, with the USDM/FD you bog. With this FD you can actually cruise in 5th, and if need be downshift to 4th and pull hard. I think we all would have appreciated the JDM final. Too bad it was omitted from our cars.

The ATS FD off the line in 1st is so strong that if you aren't careful you'll spin and chew up your tires. I actually lowered my front pressures from 37 to35 for more traction. Temp near me was about 50 degrees so creep was not a big issue. I can understand that traction alone might have been a deciding factor for the Honda factory decision with our FD's.

But, conversly I no longer have to rev higher just to get the car rolling off the line. In a race I would not need to rev to 4,500RPM anymore to get that holeshot. It will go off the line very nicely at like 1,200 to 1,500 RPM and will be strong at anything above 2K. If I even tried to rev and drop at 4,500 like I could in the past I would just provide a smoke show for all to see and need new tires alot sooner.

I've seen it posted like this before and since I agree I will list it similarly.

Feeling in gears:

1st feels strong as Hell and since traction is now more of an issue I will consider stickier tires and maybe even an aftermarket 1.5way LSD.

2nd feels like OEM 1st and will also spin the tires if you aren't careful.

3rd feels like OEM 2nd and is strong, I like this for a tight corner and even a tight sweeper. The rear starts to give a little when I drive it hard, but I do have the rear tire pressures at 36 and like it to rotate more easily.

4th feels like OEM 3rd and pulls very hard.

5th feels like it pulls only slightly less than the OEM 4th did. It is alot more useable and does not interfere with my highway usage.

RPM in 5th at 70MPH is 4,250
at 75MPH is 4,500
at 80MPH is 4,800

- all are indicated on the stock R Tach which I have recently discovered is pretty inaccurate, true RPM is actually lower than indicated on the Tach, near redline as much as 400 RPM.

In general it makes the car feel much stronger and useable. I know that the 2 or 3 camps have pros and cons but, these Mods fit my needs very well and I am very satisifed. After spending the whole day since 11 AM driving it around in all sorts of circumstances from twisties to highway to local stop and go traffic, I have to say that I am pleased! I will enjoy and appreciate this for Auto-X and my future track events.

For those who say you'll top out too soon, I say Blahhh! I can't imagine needing to go above 140 on any public roads and I am not hitting any track soon that'll need me to hit that either. Besides, by that speed you are nearing the natural drag limiter and when I am ready to try those speeds I am investing in a REAL functional rear wing. If you need those few MPH more you could always get some light weight 16" rims...

For those who are concerned with RPM and highway driving. I say again Blahhh! I listed the above numbers for RPM and speed. Thats what I experienced. Besides almost all of us live for the scream of Vtec and just cruising at 5K with the FD does not feel like cruising at 5K with the stock FD in 4th gear. It is just not as dragging and whiney.

One observation with a side effect. You will hear a slight whir, like a Super Charger spooling when you slow up in gear. To me No Big Deal! I'm a purist, I like purpose built machines and I really dig all the sounds that I hear from my car when I drive. I enjoy the music I play with my R.

ATS 4.929 FD

Toda FW

(Disclaimer, I did not experience as drastic of a change as I thought with the FD and FW until I really started to get on it and play.) It is not a Holy Sh*t mod, it's not a Turbo or SC or NOS. It won't blow you away with ridiculous amounts of raw power. In fact it will just sharpen the R as a scalpul more for carving up those twisties and tracks. If it's good enough for Foo then it's good enough for me.

Thanks to: Rodney "you're a good friend", Yasu "owner of Racing Craft", David "R&D, my Toda connection" , Anthony "did the install at his shop the Meccanic shop north" and to my Wife for putting up with my consuming hobby.

Ask away I'm here to help...

A.