The computations you've done would be the same. This is just an idea to get a better, more stable pinion gear instead of cutting up a green, red, or yellow transfer gear. It's a shame that this doesn't count, I got a ton of the upgrade kits from a Toys R Us very cheap. But yes, I guess if you wanted to stay completely zipzap that this wouldn't work. If you spray WD-40 on your gears, or some other type of lubricant, that will also seep into the wire insulation on the pinion and loosen its hold as well.