Thinking about 4.444 FD

[Sarra]

I'm seriously considering a 4.444 FD in my BK. I've got to tear open my tranny to replace syncros anyway, why not do the front and rear diffs while I've got the case open?

People are saying that it's too short, first gear would be useless, but using a gearing chart tool, changing from a 4.111 to a 4.444 FD on a stock BK6 Gearbox reduces first gear from a top of 33 to 30 mph at redline. It shortens things, but not that much, gears at redline would be: 1st, 30, 2nd, 50, 3rd, 75, 4th, 100, 5th, 135. Not much change, but it should result in a nice boost in torque through each gear.

Anyone have opinions on this? I think it would kick ass having an LSD front and rear diff, and having a car that's faster than other BK's. I'm a little worried about the loss of highway cruising RPM's though, I already cruise at 60 to keep gas milage in a good place, I'm sure I'd be pushing 3,000 rpm at 60.

[sharky nrk]

i have thought of it for the wrx alot - cost is the only issue but if the tranny is coming apart anyways go for it

[decke48]

4.44 is bout 3000 at 65.. but i love the torque feeling the 4.44 gives over the 4.11..
the only thing ive heard is shorter gears are better for boosted cars.. might loose some gas mileage.. not that much maybe a half a mile to a mile. and some top speed.... if its coming apart you might as well do it.. i forget if the front diff has 1 less tooth on the ring.. and the same number on the pinion (on the 4.11) then the 4.44 gears.. just make sure the pinions have the same number of teeth and are the same size before you put the 4.44 gears in.

[Sarra]

I intend to look at the stamps closely before putting anything in the car.

I'm not worried about top end, I'd never hit rev limit in 5th gear anyway. I'm looking more towards the increased torque to the ground, primarily in 1-4th gears.

[Plays_with_Toys]

I believe that's what I have in my car. And the gearing isn't useless. I can only imagine how much less powerful my car would feel if it had to chug up another few mph to get to redline.

[Sarra]

Most MT's in the US and Canada have 4.111 FD's. A few autos have 4.444 FD.

[Airgne]

what kind LSD are you going to get? Quaife or Cusco?

[Sarra]

Probably Cusco if I can get the cash together.

[decke48]

1 way, 1.5 way, 2 way, cone or spring? a sti lsd center diff?

[Airgne]

i would get 1.5 in the front and 2way in the rear. cusco type MZ. i wish i could get quaife but to damn expensive

[Sarra]

I was thinking a 1.5 in the front and a 2 in the rear, with a 20 kg/f STi center diff. Either that, or if it's possible, swap in a DCCD center, but I don't want to mess that much with electronics and crap.

[Airgne]

that is exactly what i want to get. tell me how it goes.

[Sarra]

I'll be waiting until the summer to get anything, I'm currently job free as a full time student. I should be hopefully getting a job at the local stealership or a local transmission repair place, so I should be able to get new diffs quickly, if my transmission holds up.

[Airgne]

i know rallysportdirect has the cusco's. and boxer4racing has the center sti diff

[Sarra]

I was looking at xcelleration's website actually. They have the Cuscos and the STi center, as well as some STi front and rear options.

[Huffer]

OBX make a decent LSD too. A local club member rocks on in his 2.2l impreza l...