4:56 Ratio Strange Gears

[hibeams]

I have personally installed 4:56 ratio gears into my 2005 SSR w/ Automatic Transmission. The Ring And Pinion were provided by Strange Engineering and
I agreed to photo and document the installation and performance of these components. Enclosed are photos of the O.E. Gears and the Strange Engineering
Ring & Pinion.





Notice the Difference in the Thickness of the 4:56 Ring Gear as this is needed because the Pinion Gear in much Smaller in Diameter and Tooth Count than the O.E. 3:73 Ratio.

The Installion was very straight forward ( for an experienced installer).
There was not any Clearance Issues with Housing or Carrier.

Actually, no additional shims were required and just switching of the Right Carrier Shim to the Left Side and vice-versa was all that was needed for Proper Set-up
of the Strange Engineering Ring and Pinion Set. The O.E. Pinion Bearing and Shim
were installed on the Strange Engineering Pinion Gear. This resulted in Pinion Depth, Bearing Pre-Load and Backlash to be Set at Specifications.

Use Royal Purple Max-Gear Synthetic Gear Oil 75W-140 Part No. RP01301
This Gear Lube has proven itself in High Torque Heavy Vehicle applications like the SSR.

There is no Audible Sound that is a result of this brand of Gear Set.

I do Recommend that ONLY "USA - made" Bearings, Races and Seals be used in this application. GM uses Timken Brand; however they can be purchased as
AC-Delco for alot less money.

A suggestion, Drill and Tap a 3/8"npt Drain Plug in the Center Bottom of the Housing. This will make future fluid service more forgiving. If you look at the Cover Mounting Gasket Surface Bolt Hole at the 6:00 position, the Drain Plug is slightly visible (there is a Cast Boss in the Housing that needs Drilled and Tapped 3/8"npt)

I had shipped my TCM and ECM to be "Re-flashed" as to correct Speedometer, Shift Points and Torque Management. I am sorry to say that this is an ongoing
financial matter to be resolved by this "Tuner".
His "Re-flash" did not work to any satifaction.


Currently, I have done the lastest GM Calibration Codes ( The "software" from the "Tuner" has been eliminated) and I am working with another "Programmer" that is very persistant in resolving the performance issues SSR Owners are subject to.

My goal is to have the Performance Re-flash Tested and True as soon as the Weather allows. I will post the Testing Results as they become Proven.

Interesting Characteristics about the Gear Ratio Change and Stock ECM & TCM settings : the SSR did not seem to respond like a non-computer controlled Vehicle does. It seems that the ECM and TCM "compensated" for the Wheel and Driveshaft Speed Changes. Only the Speedometer was NOT calibrated and it read approx. 22% Faster that Actual Vehicle Speed.

[Greg Ducato]

Thanks for the tips and good info! Hope you get your computer tuned to your satisfaction so you can take full advantage of the new gears.

[waysouth6speed]

I'm so happy for you, 4.56 and "No Audible Sound" sounds great. I have my ordered ( not Strange...) and I wonder what are you doing to break in the new gear?

[Mr. Sinister]

Originally Posted by waysouth6speed

I'm so happy for you, 4.56 and "No Audible Sound" sounds great. I have my ordered ( not Strange...) and I wonder what are you doing to break in the new gear?

Can you send me info on where you got your 4:56 gears?

[hibeams]

Originally Posted by Mr Vettegirl

Can you send me info on where you got your 4:56 gears?

Strange Engineering Provided the Gear Set "For R&D Testing" ( at No Charge). This was to Verify the Fitment of their Gear Set into an SSR. I supplied them with data and photos as the Install Proceeded.

HERE IS THE LINK FOR STRANGE ENGINEERING :

http://www.strangeengineering.net/catalog/index.html

The Part Number for 2003 -2006 SSR with Automatic Transmission is -

RS-01885456

For the 2005-2006 with 6 speed contact the Tech Dept.
If there is an Issue, please email me and I will follow up.

As for pricing, do a Google Search , there are Discounted Suppliers - see which has the best to offer.

I will be meeting with my Rep on March 2. I plan on discussing pricing with him.

Regards,

WILLIAM

[tmanss406]

Originally Posted by Mr Vettegirl

Can you send me info on where you got your 4:56 gears?

I too would like info on where to get thrse strange gears. Thanks, Garry

[tmanss406]

Thanks for the info. Garry

[Mr. Sinister]

Thankyou you'll have to post what you think of the new gearset and how they sound.

[Maui Mike]

Hibeams, Any updates for us?

Thanks!

[Pasta Mike]

Interesting Characteristics about the Gear Ratio Change and Stock ECM & TCM settings : the SSR did not seem to respond like a non-computer controlled Vehicle does. It seems that the ECM and TCM "compensated" for the Wheel and Driveshaft Speed Changes. Only the Speedometer was NOT calibrated and it read approx. 22% Faster that Actual Vehicle Speed.



I have 456 gears also and speedo is still off. Bought the superchips flasher and the tune was good but the speedometer was off 20% and no help from Superchips, after 8 calls. Then went and bought the HPTUNER and with the help of Joe, and after about 6 diffrent tune's he got it at about 5% off now. Its the BCM that wont take the setting, the ECM reads ok and matchs the GPS speeds, when Joe runs scan. But the performance of the 456 gear ratio is the only way to go. It feel's like the SSR is a 1,000 lbs lighter even with my fat butt at the wheel, and a whole lot more fun to drive. But it can wake you in the rain real fast though, it can get loose easy when it's wet out but even that's fun too.

[Paul Simpson]

Got my gears from Roy at J&S. They`re American gears like OEM. Interresting thing I picked up on from the installer, the housing on the SSR is aluminum. According to him, you have to allow more clearance when setting them up. He knew how much, but I don`t recall what he said. What I do know, Pasta Mike and I both had the same guy install and we have no noise. This guy builds race engines in his small shop. When asked how to break them in, he laughed. He said, just like a race engine--get out there and drive it. Still no noise and the gears are great......Paul

PS; If you buy gears through the mail, be sure to make sure you got the right gears. I got the wrong ones the first time. A real bummer.

[Maui Mike]

In response to ? about 4:56/14 bolt application for 6 speeds. Unfortunately we do not make any gears for that rear. Sorry we could not help.

Thanks, JIM B.

[hdflstf]

Originally Posted by MauiMike

In response to ? about 4:56/14 bolt application for 6 speeds. Unfortunately we do not make any gears for that rear. Sorry we could not help.

Thanks, JIM B.

American Axle does...

[ubuck]

I ordered the Strange Engineering 4:56 gears and will be installing them the week of the 16th, along with Greg's servo and a Diablo tune. Thanks to William (hibeams) for the info.
I'll post up with opinions after the install.

BTW...you can order direct from Strange. The price is very reasonable. And, since I live so close to them, standard UPS got them to me the next day~

[amm0bob]

So now that you've had it on for a while...

What kinda milage are ya getting... and do you think putting on a wider rear tire will shorten the ET any more?

[blueroadster06]

Originally Posted by amm0bob

So now that you've had it on for a while...

What kinda milage are ya getting... and do you think putting on a wider rear tire will shorten the ET any more?

mileage.....there is a gas station near by...plenty of gas too.....no worry about gas mileage ..had my gears for awhile now........wider tires?????

[topjimmy]

Talked to J&S Gear today and was told American Axel no longer makes the 456 for us 6 speed guys

[ubuck]

My servo's done, my gears are done, doo-da, doo-da!
I can't wait to have some fun, oh da-do-da day!

G'win to drive all night,
G'win to drive all day,

Burn some rubber in the sun, oh watch the patch I'll lay!



(In my best Barney Fife voice) Yep, yep, yep (sniff) pickin' up the R later! (sniff) Gonna go scare Otis and then go get Thelma Lou and head down to the lake for a picnic. (sniff, adjust pants, sniff)

I'll post up tomorrow.

[abadssr]

hit the pavement now and leave your mark

[ubuck]

OK...Here's my opinions and observations:

1. First off, thanks to Greg Ducato for his modified servo. This mod alone SHOULD be done on any automatic! The difference from that sliiiiiiiiiding 1-2 shift to now is the best thing that can be done. Not to hard in a cruise mode, a resounding chirp when you're on it. Very nice~

2. Thanks to William (hibeams) for his info on the Strange Engineering Gears. The installation went exceptionally smooth. These gears are quiet, as promoted.

3. The DiabloSport tuner is a well thought out, easy to use item. This is my first foray into the "tuner" world. Coming from the old school where power was a direct correlation to cubic inches and cubic dollars, it's pretty neat to be able to tune a motor from the comfort of the drivers seat.

SO... is it a rocket now? Well, that depends on your definition~

The 5.3 in the 03-04's will never be a screamer in the normally aspirated form. There really is not enough low end torque to snap your neck, all sane gearing aside. And my Pirelli's are very sticky so the rubber patch police won't be writing me any major tickets soon. But, you really notice the difference when you get it up in the power band (3000 rpm and up). It is much more lively and I feel well worth the dollars spent. Especially now that I can get that 1-2 chirp which will actually bring on the traction control~

I probably should have installed a higher stall torque converter to take advantage of the power band. I'm used to eating my cake and having it too since I have a PAE Switch Pitch in my GP. Low stall is 1200 rpm- great for easy driving. Flip a switch and it goes to 3000 rpm high stall- great for launching a 4400 lb behemoth right in it's power band. This would be a very cool (and probably impossible) mod for the SSr since it too can have a the same kind of Jeckyll-Hyde personality.

Overall, I'm very satisfied with these mods and it's a great base for the future. Now where's that phone number to Magnuson???

[2005SSR6Speed]

Originally Posted by ubuck

Now where's that phone number to Magnuson???