Absolutely. Some pretty fun fireworks occur when you have a set of gears lightened, too. Its almost scarey the amount of noise and sparks generated in the process. Once one gets serious about a build, weighing various decisions (and parts) becomes an integral element in the plan. Trimming unneeded components from rear differentials and lightening gear sets can subtract considerable weight. Lightweight brake gear and wheels are good places to shave weight, as are losing luxury items like heavy speakers and stereos, etc, etc. The comparison(s) should include the various weights, and any other variables you can predict.
I know I'm overly meticulous about such things as the weights of the various components in a build-up (I keep an old set of scales in my garage - no kidding), but I also know that not every modification will be a success. Adding a little power and a lot of weight is a good way to lose ground. As I mentioned in the original analysis of nitrous vs gears, both changes also should reflect changes in weight. The full nitrous bottle, hoses, solenoids, switches, etc. is not weightless, nor are the higher gears usually the same weight as the oe items (lightening gears is a specialized machining job best left to experts - gears are damn tough, and easily destroyed in the hands of an amateur machinist - there's a good road-racing write-up re. this in a mmff mag from about a year ago).
If anyone wants to compare something and are having trouble with the math, post as much info as you have about the items you're trying to compare and I'll see what I can do with the math side (and I bet Adam can tell you whether or not it will work at all in the real world). The more data you can supply, the better (weight of components, gear ratios, anticipated hp and torque change, etc.). If you're just "estimating" something, thats ok, just keep in mind that the wilder the estimate, the more useless the outcome is likely to be.
tripleblack
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Originally Posted by ModMotorRacer
Altering gearing does affect weight though, and reciprocating weight too. A numerically higher gear has a thicker ring gear and a thicker pinion gear so it weighs more, and is more of a drag on the drivetrain even though it produces a higher torque multipication. Same with adding a 6 speed tranny , you have all the gearsets for the one more gear making it heavier. Like a C4 compared to a 4R70W, the C4 weighs less but is it really an advantage if I have a custom gearset (steep) 1-3 and a highway OD gear in the 4R70W even if the tranny weighs more? Like i said, its hard to just throw a blanket over everything and call it covered. 
Adam |