4.778 Final Drive For $296
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: NEW YORK
Originally Posted by Slick8
Fountain Head Cryogenics does it for $5/lbs, they're in York, PA. They do them in batches, the last batch went in Dec 3rd.
The 4.778 rp that Rick sells are only polydynned, not that strong. These need to be cryo'd for the best insurance, not worth the experimentation. Maybe they do, or don't. Nobody knows.
Rick Hesel claims that 3 out of 20 of them failed, but he still sells them with a guarantee. Confusing or suspicious? Especially since these take a while to get.
The gear will harden/strengthen to about 4-10X the previous durability, depends on how strong it was b/f. I think that's enough, well into specs for FI.
The 4.778 rp that Rick sells are only polydynned, not that strong. These need to be cryo'd for the best insurance, not worth the experimentation. Maybe they do, or don't. Nobody knows.
Rick Hesel claims that 3 out of 20 of them failed, but he still sells them with a guarantee. Confusing or suspicious? Especially since these take a while to get.
The gear will harden/strengthen to about 4-10X the previous durability, depends on how strong it was b/f. I think that's enough, well into specs for FI.
RX8 ADDICTED!!!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Slick8
Then why is Rick's still selling the 4.778 with a guarantee?
Also Rick has been making parts for s2000's for a while now ad I beieve what he has to say. If there has been problems I would like to have a replacement guarantee.
We had another case where we assumed half of the cost of replacement, since the failure was the result of faulty installation. We also have all our gear sets specially treated by PolyDyn for extra durability. All this is a cost of business that has to be reflected in the price we charge. We are aware of several owners with forced induction who have already burned through two sets of the 4.77 gears. And the fact that the 4.77s are relatively new installs in many cars gives us pause about the problems that may crop up as they age. On the other hand, if you can find a Kia or Mazda dealer who can obtain the gears and will provide free replacements for gear set failures, more power to you. Better yet, if you can find them in a junkyard, great!
It’s a simple fact that the 4.77s (and stock gears, 4.3s, 4.44s, and 5.1s) were designed for cars with far less power than the S2000, and if you have a car with FI, enjoy clutch drops, or drive very aggressively, be aware of what you’re buying. That’s why we have the warranty on all the gears – to protect you, the buyer.
We went to Richmond Gear to have the 4.57 gear sets made precisely because we wanted a gear set of far higher quality and durability than the Mazda/Kia parts we and everybody else was selling. The 4.57s have been designed for the S2000, and have been extensively tested by Richmond Gear to ensure strength and durability. They are a far superior product to the 4.77s, 4.3s, and 4.44s, 5.1s and even the stock OEM gears (also a Mazda product).
Given all these considerations, our price for the 4.77s stands and will not be lowered. Our warranty also stands. If other suppliers sell them for less, with or without a warranty, so be it. That’s a free market at work!
It’s a simple fact that the 4.77s (and stock gears, 4.3s, 4.44s, and 5.1s) were designed for cars with far less power than the S2000, and if you have a car with FI, enjoy clutch drops, or drive very aggressively, be aware of what you’re buying. That’s why we have the warranty on all the gears – to protect you, the buyer.
We went to Richmond Gear to have the 4.57 gear sets made precisely because we wanted a gear set of far higher quality and durability than the Mazda/Kia parts we and everybody else was selling. The 4.57s have been designed for the S2000, and have been extensively tested by Richmond Gear to ensure strength and durability. They are a far superior product to the 4.77s, 4.3s, and 4.44s, 5.1s and even the stock OEM gears (also a Mazda product).
Given all these considerations, our price for the 4.77s stands and will not be lowered. Our warranty also stands. If other suppliers sell them for less, with or without a warranty, so be it. That’s a free market at work!
RX8 ADDICTED!!!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
Now about the gas milage remaining the same I have thought about this, in city driving since the final gears are smaller and the car would accelerate a little quicker you would ned to press the gas down less to accelerate at the same speed as you would with the 4:44 gears. Hence almost using the same amount of gas, or such a small difference it wouldn't make a difference.
Bummed, but bring on OU!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 1
From: Charleston, SC
So the S2000 gears were breaking under abuse and FI+abuse. Hell, I've seen stock Fbodies destroy their rearends by running drag radials. And that's a relatively stout R&P. With the 8's wheel hop, I don't think the stress from the old hook and go will be a problem. Particularly at near stock power levels.
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Philly
Originally Posted by Tigster
I hate to repost things but since you didnt seem to read it all. He offers a replacement on his gears, They have also been pre cryo treated. He is talking about why his costs more than a kia and mazda dealer. Here I posted it again so you can read it.
Also Rick has been making parts for s2000's for a while now ad I beieve what he has to say. If there has been problems I would like to have a replacement guarantee.
Also Rick has been making parts for s2000's for a while now ad I beieve what he has to say. If there has been problems I would like to have a replacement guarantee.
We also have all our gear sets specially treated by PolyDyn for extra durability.
Last edited by Slick8; Dec 5, 2005 at 10:04 PM.
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Philly
Originally Posted by Fab 8
Finally took the plunge and got the FEED 4.777 final drive - the car feels much more responsive in every gear - the step up in performance is like going from stock to lighten flywheel (I have the MS flywheel). The car pulls eagerly from 2500 rpm (even in 6th) and acceleration is much better.
Revs when cruising is a bit higher - abt 3000 rpm for 90kmh (56mph). Not too bad for me as I do quite a lot of city driving.
Overall, a solid mod if you don't do too much highway driving.
Revs when cruising is a bit higher - abt 3000 rpm for 90kmh (56mph). Not too bad for me as I do quite a lot of city driving.
Overall, a solid mod if you don't do too much highway driving.
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Philly
At 80mph the stock 4.444 rpms are at 4000, the 4.778 at 4400. There's a 300-500 rpm spread with a 5-7 mile variation. I attached some graphs that compares rpm vs speed for 4.444, 4.778 and 5.125 earlier in this post.
Storm Trooper
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 0
From: Freakmont, CA
Originally Posted by JeRKy 8 Owner
Just one question...
Why the hell did it take over 2 years for someone to think of trying this on the RX-8?
Why the hell did it take over 2 years for someone to think of trying this on the RX-8?
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Philly
My guess, anybody have some thoughts? Not bad for $2,000-3,000 worth of mods.
Assumptions from C&D long term RX-8 September 2005
0-60 mph, 5.9s
1/4 mph, 14.6s
Extremely Conservative Estimate
Mod...............whp...........time off 0-60 s..........time off 1/4 mi.
tuned CZ.......15..............0.10..................... .....0.10
Cat................5................0.05.......... ................0.05
Flywheel........0................0.10............. .............0.10
4.778.............25..............0.30............ ..............0.30
REVi...............5................0.05.......... ................0.05
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total..............50...............5.3........... .................14.0
My Best Guess
Mod...............whp...........time off 0-60 s..........time off 1/4 mi.
tuned CZ.......20..............0.20..................... .....0.20
Cat................8................0.10.......... ................0.10
Flywheel........0................0.20............. .............0.10
4.778.............30..............0.40............ ..............0.30
REVi...............8................0.10.......... ................0.10
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total..............66...............5.0........... ................13.8
RX-8
EDIT: MY MATH WAS A LITTLE OFF ON THE "MY BEST GUESS"
Assumptions from C&D long term RX-8 September 2005
0-60 mph, 5.9s
1/4 mph, 14.6s
Extremely Conservative Estimate
Mod...............whp...........time off 0-60 s..........time off 1/4 mi.
tuned CZ.......15..............0.10..................... .....0.10
Cat................5................0.05.......... ................0.05
Flywheel........0................0.10............. .............0.10
4.778.............25..............0.30............ ..............0.30
REVi...............5................0.05.......... ................0.05
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total..............50...............5.3........... .................14.0
My Best Guess
Mod...............whp...........time off 0-60 s..........time off 1/4 mi.
tuned CZ.......20..............0.20..................... .....0.20
Cat................8................0.10.......... ................0.10
Flywheel........0................0.20............. .............0.10
4.778.............30..............0.40............ ..............0.30
REVi...............8................0.10.......... ................0.10
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total..............66...............5.0........... ................13.8
RX-8EDIT: MY MATH WAS A LITTLE OFF ON THE "MY BEST GUESS"
Last edited by Slick8; Dec 6, 2005 at 06:22 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
8 hp from revi? 8 hp from the cat? i wish that were true. also, the results from mods rarely just add up like that. arent turbo rx8s still around 5.5 0-6?
btw, 25+8+35+8= 76 added whp. how realistic does that sound without going FI?
denward
btw, 25+8+35+8= 76 added whp. how realistic does that sound without going FI?
denward
Last edited by gh0st; Dec 6, 2005 at 06:01 PM.
Bummed, but bring on OU!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 1
From: Charleston, SC
Originally Posted by gh0st
8 hp from revi? 8 hp from the cat? i wish that were true.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
ah.. he didnt say where in the power band he was talking about so its like you said, most people talk about peak hp. even so, the numbers still seem a bit optimistic to me. a 50-76whp gain anywhere in the rev range from 3 n/a mods plus a piggyback? 
you know how nice that would be?
denward
you know how nice that would be?denward
Last edited by gh0st; Dec 6, 2005 at 06:12 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
if i decide to wait 2+ years for FI, ill do this mod for sure with a speedo healer. next it would probrably be ACT flywheel and clutch. <--------- that is a lot of money right there 
i hate that its so expencive to do anything on this car.
denward
Last edited by gh0st; Dec 6, 2005 at 06:47 PM.
Bummed, but bring on OU!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 1
From: Charleston, SC
Originally Posted by gh0st
ah.. he didnt say where in the power band he was talking about so its like you said, most people talk about peak hp. even so, the numbers still seem a bit optimistic to me. a 50-76whp gain anywhere in the rev range from 3 n/a mods plus a piggyback? you know how nice that would be?
denward
you know how nice that would be?denward
with the gears, we're dealing with "equivalent to hp" though. dropping 0.3-0.5 seconds takes quite a bit o' power.
Edit: Slick, are you going to install the yellow box as well? If you being the guinea pig works out, I'm probably going to grab me a set as well. Thanks for jumping in first
Last edited by therm8; Dec 6, 2005 at 07:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Philly
Edit: Slick, are you going to install the yellow box as well? If you being the guinea pig works out, I'm probably going to grab me a set as well. Thanks for jumping in first
Like to stay away from FI for now, just seems like a more reliable way to go especially with the warantee. The engine really needs a two stage turbo for seemless power, but the FD was just too complex and problematic. The Greddy is good but not great, the long-term is still unknown. We shall see where this takes the RX-8, nice simple reliable power NA.
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Philly
Originally Posted by gh0st
if i decide to wait 2+ years for FI, ill do this mod for sure with a speedo healer. next it would probrably be ACT flywheel and clutch. <--------- that is a lot of money right there i hate that its so expensive to do anything on this car.
denward
Banned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
From: cali baby
Originally Posted by Slick8
My guess, anybody have some thoughts? Not bad for $2,000-3,000 worth of mods.
Assumptions from C&D long term RX-8 September 2005
0-60 mph, 5.9s
1/4 mph, 14.6s
Extremely Conservative Estimate
Mod...............whp...........time off 0-60 s..........time off 1/4 mi.
tuned CZ.......15..............0.10..................... .....0.10
Cat................5................0.05.......... ................0.05
Flywheel........0................0.10............. .............0.10
4.778.............25..............0.30............ ..............0.30
REVi...............5................0.05.......... ................0.05
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total..............50...............5.3........... .................14.0
My Best Guess
Mod...............whp...........time off 0-60 s..........time off 1/4 mi.
tuned CZ.......20..............0.20..................... .....0.20
Cat................8................0.10.......... ................0.10
Flywheel........0................0.20............. .............0.10
4.778.............30..............0.40............ ..............0.30
REVi...............8................0.10.......... ................0.10
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total..............66...............5.0........... ................13.8
RX-8
EDIT: MY MATH WAS A LITTLE OFF ON THE "MY BEST GUESS"
Assumptions from C&D long term RX-8 September 2005
0-60 mph, 5.9s
1/4 mph, 14.6s
Extremely Conservative Estimate
Mod...............whp...........time off 0-60 s..........time off 1/4 mi.
tuned CZ.......15..............0.10..................... .....0.10
Cat................5................0.05.......... ................0.05
Flywheel........0................0.10............. .............0.10
4.778.............25..............0.30............ ..............0.30
REVi...............5................0.05.......... ................0.05
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total..............50...............5.3........... .................14.0
My Best Guess
Mod...............whp...........time off 0-60 s..........time off 1/4 mi.
tuned CZ.......20..............0.20..................... .....0.20
Cat................8................0.10.......... ................0.10
Flywheel........0................0.20............. .............0.10
4.778.............30..............0.40............ ..............0.30
REVi...............8................0.10.......... ................0.10
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total..............66...............5.0........... ................13.8
RX-8EDIT: MY MATH WAS A LITTLE OFF ON THE "MY BEST GUESS"
HUH?? wtf are you saying man? a New Final Drive is not going to give you "25 - 30 whp"New FD is goign to make your Gears Shorter which is going to make you accel faster. Thats it , not add you HP.
oh and if 66hp HP was made with the mods you listed your 1/4 would be much lower and your 0-60 would be lower also.