My BRZ is Alive!! Upgraded Final Drive

[Lunatic]

Bear in mind I have the automatic which is geared differently than the manual but at 70 I'm running 2750 rpm and still get 30 mpg with my 4.88s.

[Koa]

Originally Posted by mrk1

I don't know how to capture it on camera without doing a before and after video. The car is just more eager to go and quick through the gears. With a stock motor is still not exactly fast but its way more fun to drive. I only did a 4.44 because I have a turbo going back on but this upgrade gave the car the push it needed to feel like the sports car it should be.

I got the gear set from MFactory, rebuild kit from Weir, and some seals and shims from the dealer.

I see people spending so much money on different exhausts and intakes chasing 2 more hp. Honestly if you are staying NA go with a 4.56 or 4.67 and it will be money way way better spent.

Deep down inside mrk you know the answer to why they do that...

It's much easier to buy those items knowing the install won't muck something up. Even something as trivial to us as dropping a pumpkin, dropping a new gearset in, preparing and adjusting the gearset to work properly throughout its operational life, et al is the main reason why people swap exhausts, intakes, and other 'simpler' bolt ons

paradoxically, a crappy intake could blow up the motor anyway so it's a bit of a crapshoot innit

cool stuff, glad to see a 4.44! Unabomber over at nasioc would love you to death just knowing you chose that FD

[mrk1]

Originally Posted by Koa

Deep down inside mrk you know the answer to why they do that...

It's much easier to buy those items knowing the install won't muck something up. Even something as trivial to us as dropping a pumpkin, dropping a new gearset in, preparing and adjusting the gearset to work properly throughout its operational life, et al is the main reason why people swap exhausts, intakes, and other 'simpler' bolt ons

paradoxically, a crappy intake could blow up the motor anyway so it's a bit of a crapshoot innit

cool stuff, glad to see a 4.44! Unabomber over at nasioc would love you to death just knowing you chose that FD

You forgot shiny, new final drives aren't shiny and showy at a car meet. I know doing the re-gear itself is not a average driveway mechanic type job but swapping a diff in and out is. So take your diff out, have a shop do the tricky bits, and re-install it yourself.

[Koa]

Originally Posted by mrk1

You forgot shiny, new final drives aren't shiny and showy at a car meet. I know doing the re-gear itself is not a average driveway mechanic type job but swapping a diff in and out is. So take your diff out, have a shop do the tricky bits, and re-install it yourself.

thats so true and considering that you're among one of the most demonstrated fabricators and auto artists here I am quite preaching to the choir here.

So far I'm in the camp that has "rebuilt" engines, "assembled" & installed tranny/pumpkins/axles in both crawlers and rice- err I mean japanese sports cars, etc but have not done much tricky, specialized work (setting engine internals, base tunes, blueprinting, building the gearsets in trans and xfer cases, etc) or critical system/large scale custom fab. Some things people can tackle even complex things with the appropriate tools (loaned out for one-off stuff even), the patience to learn and apply the necessary principles and practices to the job, and a good ol mix of blood+sweat+tears... some will never want to or have no interest to, and would pass that joy onto someone who does.

It's all good in my book but you hit the nail on the head about street-cred meet priorities versus the authentic enthusiast's thirst and yearn to push the limits of performance. Wrenching and tuning is a blast at all levels, and further creating/improving things in general is one of life's most cherished endeavors innit? Big ups mrk cant wait to see your new snail setup

[mrk1]

I definitely have a driving experience in mind for my car and this 4.44 is a step in the right direction.

The car should have a 4.44 stock! 4.56 should be the start of upgrades for NA.

[Ultramaroon]

Well, Goddammit, now I want this.

[904FRSlow]

Originally Posted by Lunatic

Bear in mind I have the automatic which is geared differently than the manual but at 70 I'm running 2750 rpm and still get 30 mpg with my 4.88s.

I usually do 80 on the highway. What rpm range are you at there and around what mpg? I'm still on the fence about this because my commute will be mostly highway soon. Also, I have an AT as well with lots of NA bolt ons.

[Carlitoz3]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

This, but I'd have to drive the car for about a week or so to see if the gains are worth the drawbacks.

What are the drawbacks?

Originally Posted by stevesnj

Much more reliable and less expensive than any FI. Very simple and will work great with taller wheels and tires. Milage could suffer. Depends on the tire height and how you are on the skinny pedal.

What's wrong with smaller tires?
Been thinking of running 16s since it's less 'rotational mass'

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Carlitoz3

Been thinking of running 16s since it's less 'rotational mass'

There really isn't all that much in it. 16" 50 series tyres are sometimes heavier than their 17" 45 series equivalent and the diameter is very close as well.

[churchx]

Smaller tires .. good 'tune' for this particular car, as in addition to lower weight/rotational mass, some say that it's suspension was developed with 16" in eyes, some even prefer resulting handling with smaller rim size. And some say that it even looks better with meatier tires. Daily drivability/comfort may increase. And of course one will save $$ on tires (which are eaten rather quickly, when drifting). About the only caveat for going 16" - most bigger brake kits won't fit.

[Lunatic]

Originally Posted by 904FRSlow

I usually do 80 on the highway. What rpm range are you at there and around what mpg? I'm still on the fence about this because my commute will be mostly highway soon. Also, I have an AT as well with lots of NA bolt ons.

Don't remember exactly but around 3000 rpm at 78 to 80 mph. Gas millage drops a bit. I see 28 to 30 at 77 mph, 30 to 32 at 70 mph.

A bit of loss of economy is well worth the performance gained with the 4.88s.

[stevesnj]

Originally Posted by Carlitoz3

What's wrong with smaller tires?
Been thinking of running 16s since it's less 'rotational mass'

I am going with 16" wheels eventually to bring the final drive down to the true ratio. I was just commenting on less issues with regearing than FI setup and the warranty is unaffected engine wise

[stevesnj]

Originally Posted by mrk1

My car has woken upI just finished my 4.44 final drive install. My car is currently just about stock so 4.44 is a mild choice but still woke the car up nicely. It doesn't feel like a econo car anymore.

So where did you get the gears? cost, install pricing....thanks for any info!

[BirgeyT1]

Here is a good resource for you guys. Once you input everything and click graph you can go to any speed and see the RPM difference.

http://www.zealautowerks.com/transcalc.php