Well, I picked up my NSX from LarryB yesterday after an extensive service, the major component of which was installation of the JDM gear stack, or "short gears," in my 1991 transmission. Unlike most who do this mod, I elected to keep my stock 4.06 final drive gear, although we pre-loaded the differential to NSX-R spec. Prior to the shim it unlocked at 54 lb/ft. It now unlocks at 115 lb/ft.
Since my transmission only has 83,000 miles, I chose to replace only the 2,3 and 4 gears and to keep my existing 1 and 5 gears. It turned out to be a good decision, as my gears and synchros measured close to the brand-new spec.
The verdict? Quite simply, these gears transform the NSX. This is the gear stack that should have shipped with the car in the first place and, in fact, it did in Japan and Europe after 1992. The 1-2 shift the first time you do it is stunning. I found the 2-3 and 3-4 shifts to be imperceptibly different from the US gears in terms of RPM, but the car felt much more lively and torquey in those gears. The lug, if any, is now on the 4-5 shift where it should be, as 5th gear is an overdrive gear.
I would enthusiastically recommend the short gears to all 5-speed NSX owners. If you are lucky enough to have LarryB nearby, I suggest having him do the swap. He was patient, methodical and went out of his way to make sure the job was done right.
Since my transmission only has 83,000 miles, I chose to replace only the 2,3 and 4 gears and to keep my existing 1 and 5 gears. It turned out to be a good decision, as my gears and synchros measured close to the brand-new spec.
The verdict? Quite simply, these gears transform the NSX. This is the gear stack that should have shipped with the car in the first place and, in fact, it did in Japan and Europe after 1992. The 1-2 shift the first time you do it is stunning. I found the 2-3 and 3-4 shifts to be imperceptibly different from the US gears in terms of RPM, but the car felt much more lively and torquey in those gears. The lug, if any, is now on the 4-5 shift where it should be, as 5th gear is an overdrive gear.
I would enthusiastically recommend the short gears to all 5-speed NSX owners. If you are lucky enough to have LarryB nearby, I suggest having him do the swap. He was patient, methodical and went out of his way to make sure the job was done right.