[cobrajeff]

I had a "full-manual" Reverse-Pattern C4 built specifically for my Cobra. This unit was a "lightweight" model, and fully "rollerized". It did not have a trans-brake. I went this way for several reasons;, one, I wanted the lighter weight (cut about 3o-40 lbs. out of a C4) for autocrossing; two, it did not need vacuum (I knew I was going to run Webers and a vacuum source would be a problem); and three, the tranny guy said this was the only way to get "hardest shifting" C4 he could make.

I HATED that tranny. I have been driving Mustangs for forty years, and have become quite comfortable with the standard 3-2-1 shift pattern. I could not get used to shifting it backwards. Another issue was that, among the parts removed to make it "lightweight", were some of the components that provided engine-braking on downshifts. With this tranny, pulling it back to first when you downshifted offered no tranny braking at all - it just "free-wheeled" - it was like you put it into neutral. On top of all that, I blew this C4 up every thousand miles (THREE years in a ROW!).

I had another C4 built with a TransGo valve-body kit (just like I used to in the 70's) and have had very good luck with it. It doesn't shift quite as hard (but it doesn't self-destruct, either) as the full-manual, but, the shift pattern is standard, and you have full manual control of it - if you shift it into "1" at 60 mph, it goes directly to "First". I had to drill my Weber intake and hide a vacuum cannister under the car, but, it has all worked out very well. No more tranny failures in the last seven years.

regards,

Jeff