i have a base rsx, but i think the new TL is awsome, anyway i noticed that the Final drive ratio for the TL is 3.285. that is very low. the final drive on a JDM honda DC5 integra type-R is 4.764, and id windes out really fast. if none of u know what "final drive" ratio is. it determins how fast the car windes out. i think if someone tried to see if this fits. it could make the TL a lot faster in the 1/4 and 0-60 mph. the only downfall is that it will lower your topspeed. even if u cant find a dc5-type-R Final drive, u could always try the tsx final drive(4.760).....what do u guys think of my idea?

 

I saw numbers a few days ago, why I remembered 04TL's final drive ratio is 4.428 (5AT) & 3.285 (6MT)...

Am I right?

 

ur right, 3.285. but it's still low, and can be improved.

 

Sorry for being a n00b, whats final drive?

 

it determines the speed the engine windes out at. like some cars take a while to get through the gears, and some cars(rsx-s/type-R) take little time to get through gears. because the final drive ratio on a type-S is higher. so it windes out quicker. this will make the car accelerate faster

 

ohhh i get it, thanks

 

No prob.

 

Actually, you have it backwards. A 3.285 final gear ratio is significantly higher than a 4.764 ratio. The terminology is in reverse of what might seem to be logical. A high rear end (final drive) is a low numeric number whereas a low rear end is a high numeric number. Of course FWD cars don't have "rear end" gears, but the concept is still the same.

 

then y are rsx-s owners buying type-r final drives 4.764 is alot higher than what they have stock(4.389). my friend is a mechanic and told me this also. trust me u want it to be higher not lower

 

No, if it's acceleration you're after, you want a lower final drive.. such as a 4.764. What I was trying to tell you is that the accepted terminology is in reverse of what it may seem. A gear ratio in the 4's is lower than a gear ratio in the 3's. It may not make sense, but that's just the way it is.

Go to any speed shop and tell them you have a Mustang with a 9 inch rear and you want the lowest gears available. They not going to sell you 2.73's but rather 4.56's. Again, as the numbers go down in value, the gear ratio is said to be higher. When the numbers go up in value, the gear ratio is said to be lower.

 

For more clarification...A final drive ration of 4.76/1 could be described as 4.76 revolutions of the drive shaft result in 1 revolution of the axle. As mentioned, the TL is front wheel drive but it still utilizes a ring and pinion gear arrangement. The pinion gear is attached to the final output shaft of the transmission, the ring gear is attached to the axles. Using the above example, 4.76 revolutions of the pinion gear would result in one revolution of the ring gear. The high/low gearing terminology does confuse the issue.

So, if you increase the ratio say 4.76/1 to 5.50/1, your engine rpm would be higher given speed of the vehicle. This would result in the engine reving faster, and to an extent, make the car quicker through the gears. But with all mods, you have to consider the overall use of the vehicle. If all you do is race, then swapping drive ratio/gears is OK. But if your remotely worried about gas mileage and other drivability/longevity issues, any gear ratio greatly different than stock should be decided on carefully.

Good luck