T-56 viper box behind 545 cobra

[ByronRACE]

The TKO600 is a fine transmission, and 5 speeds is honestly enough in a cobra unless you can picture yourself needing a double-overdrive. However, it does not feel the same as a T56. It's a bit more notchy, not quite as smooth, and so on...just different.

Considering my crankshaft weighs more than some engine blocks, I felt that the mass reduction of an aluminum flywheel over a steel flywheel would be a bit like putting a carbon fiber handle on a sledge hammer. If you're building a 385 series (460), I would save your money and run a steel flywheel; I really doubt the difference will be noticed. If you've taken steps to make for a light rotating assembly, then go all the way. By the way, even though I'm a short stroke low compression 429 running an industrial unlightened 429 crank, big heavy i-beam monster truck (crower) rods, and pistons that look more like diesel parts than gas parts (intentionally had them built with a beefy top ring land), this is *by far* the fastest neutral-revving V8 I've ever built, so I've learned that just because it weighs a lot doesn't mean it isn't going to rev.

[RICK LAKE]

AC-460 Aluminium flywheel yes, TKO600 trans NO. Reasons, Flywheel will save about 20 lbs. This will help the motor spin up a little quicker. Less wieght to move. This works in a cobra because of the wieght of the car also. It's about stored energy. Your car will be a little faster. The important things are SFI certified, and having this balanced with your rotating assembly. Not sure if your motor is a neutral balanced motor or not. I went from a 40 lbs flywheel to a 22 lbs flywheel, the motor spins up about .2-.3 tenths faster in the 1/4 mile than the 40lb. Now for the trans. IMO If you are going to beat on the car, buy a better unit. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR. There are reasons there are transmissions selling for $1,800.00 dollars and others sell for $3,300.00. It's about how they are built, how strong the gears and shafts are, and the main thing, about how must POWER(TORQUE), not HP they can live behind. This all revolves around your driving. Straight gears and harden shafts will take alot more abuse than 20-30 degree heli gears. 2 shafts in a richmond trans, 3 or 4 in TKO 500 or 600. The other thing is the fork design. I like an outside shifting linkage for adjustments, You don't get this with the internal setups. There is no free lunch,you get what you paided for. The choice is yours, I always overbuild the drivetrain to handle the abuse it gets. Search the forum for trans problems, Don't take a side on the story but look at the drivetrain that was in the car? Go back about 6-8 months. Rick L

[RICK LAKE]

Double Venom Ed I tripped over those bars, I though I bent them. I can tell you this now. First time I every saw a cobra with wheelie bars. After seeing the car run, I would have had them on too. Rick L. Ps I learned that before you get off the porch and try and run with the big dogs, know what you are up against.