Dumb question??? What is a JDM final drive

 

In Japan they use a shorter gear ratio, due to the use of 16" wheels (On USDM cars...they will rev higher).

Think of the Final Drive as the FRONT sprocket on a 10 speed...and 1-5th gear as the REAR sproket.

 

I've heard this remark before. But the final drive was done in JDM version of the type R much for the same reason there was no a/c in the first Type Rs made. To make it more performance oriented. Just becuase the rims are bigger is of no consequence. They are running lower profile higher performance tires(205/45/16); therefore, the circumference of the tires remains the same as ours(195/55/15). Everything since the conception of the car in Japan was aimed at providing performance not comfort. Therefore the different final drive provides higher engine speeds coming out of an apex of a turn and quicker acceleration.

 

Re: JDM final drive (DelsolVtec18) (Chris)

In Japan they use a shorter gear ratio, due to the use of 16" wheels (On USDM cars...they will rev higher).

Completly false!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It has NOTHING to do woth 16inch rims. They have 16inchers, but also a thinner sidewall of the rubber so the diameter of the tire itself is the same. The EURO ITR has also the JDM final drive and use 15 inch rims with 195/55/15 rubber (595mm diameter).