5th gear change

[roycehof]

In another post it was reported that - "There is a 5th gear swap you can do to get a better final drive". I believe it was listed in the suspension forum. Does anybody know if this true or is it "urban legend"?
I'm very much interested if it is indeed true.

[roycehof]

OOPS - since I posted this in the custom section, I am referring to a stock Festiva 5 speed.

[F3BZ]

you mean swapping in the aspire tranny for a lower final gear ratio?

[Guest]

He means swapping in the final drive gear from the Aspire into the Festiva 5 speed mtx..

I know a few who have done it. I have also been told you'ld go faster. I haven't seen it 1st hand.

[GenevaDirt]

Wouldn't it be easier/better just to swap in an aspire tranny?

[neanderpaul]

I thought 2 bolts dont line up if you swap the whole trans. The aspire 5th gear is geared for more power (higher rpms) to compensate for the added weight of an aspire over a festiva. I got that info here a few months ago.

[oxbrain]

The aspire uses the same basic gearing, but the final drive is higher. This means you're at higher rpm throughout the whole range. It would help you accelerate a little quicker, but nothing to write home about.

[Festy46]

I ran the ratio numbers one time and the Aspire transmission will make the engine run 500 rpms faster to make the same mph as the Festiva transmission.

[roycehof]

Gee, I didn't log in all weekend. lots of discusion - The impression I got on the other post is that you could just change 5th gear (the set on the input and output shafts) to allow less rpm at the same speed. If I come across it again I'll tell you who wrote it. I actually want a "taller" fifth gear for less rpm's and more mpg's.

[Gforcefd]

Yeah I was going to say that makes more sense then wanting a shorter final gear. I think they where talking about the Xr2 tranny, verses like the protege tranny though, in that other post.

[roycehof]

Yeah, I was afraid of that. Doesn't appear that can do much with the stock Festiva trans.

[muscle_Car1]

Larger diameter tires = taller gearing

[ChrisDrives121DA]

Mind that there have been 1.1L engine (B1) Mazda 121DA which also had the proper transmission (final gear)!