4 spd vs 5 spd pros and cons

[blykins]

Nothing shifts better than a Toploader with a Hurst shifter. That's coming from a guy who sells TKOs.

At 55 mph with a 3.54 gear and a 26" tire, you'll be at 2500 rpm. That's not straining the engine by any means.

If you plan on driving a lot at 70-75, then I would prob give the nod to a TKO as the rpms will get excessive there, but if you are doing most of your driving at 55-60, I see no drawback to a Toploader.

Most guys here are used to BMWs, Porsches, and Vettes....cruising at 70 mph with the tach at 1200 rpm. A Toploader would be more of a "Cobra" experience.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by DanEC

Transmission choice may depend on your age and past car ownership. I'm old enough that a Muncie or Toploader 4 speed just feels natural and I like the feel of a good Hurst shifter/linkage. If you are younger than me and driven mostly 5 and 6 speed cars then it's logical that's the way you would want to go.

I have a 6 speed Mustang GT for a daily driver and in town I feel like I'm driving a truck in going through all 6 gears. So, what do I do - skip a couple gears and end up driving it like a 4 speed.

It's kind of a decision you need to make based on your own experiences and preferences.

You guys enjoying your black & white TV's and those operater-assisted phone calls on your rotary dial phones too?

I have two words for you. Oy vey.

[peterpjb]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

You guys enjoying your black & white TV's and those operater-assisted phone calls on your rotary dial phones too?

I have two words for you. Oy vey.

why not, i am enjoying also mechanical watches and vinyl records ....

....normaly classic car enthusiasts are enjoying classic technique

aren't cobras primarily classic cars?....

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

You guys enjoying your black & white TV's and those operater-assisted phone calls on your rotary dial phones too?

I have two words for you. Oy vey.

The old B&W crapped out a while back - used it in the garage to listen to Judge Judy. Had to upgrade to an old garage sale color TV - with wait for it - a remote control. I do still have a desk top push button phone and my cell phone is an old Samsung first owned by my wife about 10 years ago - I can't hardly do anything with it except make a call out. I have to give it back to her to change settings, erase messages etc. So yes, I am a bit out of date and growing more so every year.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by DanEC

Transmission choice may depend on your age and past car ownership. I'm old enough that a Muncie or Toploader 4 speed just feels natural and I like the feel of a good Hurst shifter/linkage. If you are younger than me and driven mostly 5 and 6 speed cars then it's logical that's the way you would want to go.

I have a 6 speed Mustang GT for a daily driver and in town I feel like I'm driving a truck in going through all 6 gears. So, what do I do - skip a couple gears and end up driving it like a 4 speed.

It's kind of a decision you need to make based on your own experiences and preferences.

Originally Posted by Bernica

Just don't play the "Real" card. I am far from that. I just like the original feeling of what they had in the day and what I grew up with,.

Couldn't have said it better myself, Bernica and Dan. OK, my 289FIA replica has an aluminium monocoque, but I wouldn't even consider anything but an SBF, and although the gearbox isn't a T10, it's period correct and it will give me that "original feeling" and simplicity that I'm chasing. I'm not going to do any 'continent crossing' or heavy traffic work, so a lack of a 5th or 6th gear is of no concern.

To the OP, do you like modern gearboxes with modern gearshifts, or do you want the gearshift feel of a '60s Toploader? A lot of Cobra replica owners do continual development on their cars, so what you start out with doesn't have to be what you eventually end up with. These cars are meant to be 'developed' to suit. After all, that's part of the 'affliction'.

Cheers,
Glen

[Thor maine]

Today you have to go with a 5spd. As for those who are all about accuracy just something to chew on. Today a real Shelby kit comes from the factory set for a 5 spd or 6spd or 4spd or an automatic what ever you order Shelby factory set. So just throw a bent mustang shifter on it and enjoy.

[66gtk]

Nothing wrong with a properly set up engine, rear, and 4 speed combo. Very enjoyable unless you plan to commute regular long distances. Definitely should not be a deal breaker to have a Toploader in a properly built car - especially one with an FE. My SPF had a TKO 600 and shifting 1-4 was really not much different than a dedicated Toploader. I was surprised how much I liked it in that regard. I very rarely found myself using the 5th gear though. Granted, I didn't drive it very much or own it very long. But for the roads around here, 5th gear wasn't necessary.

[Clois Harlan]

Chad,

My Cobra is a lot like Lou's with about the same hp and for 14 years I have raced and played real hard with my TopLoader 4 sp and except for one time it had performed flawlessly (broke the main shaft at the drags in St. Louis at Run N Gun with some really big drag slicks after turning mid 11's on previous run). But, last year I dropped in a TKO 600 with the .82 fifth gear and I absolutely love it because when I am on the freeway I am not turning 3500 RPM's at 70 mph. I get better gas mileage (as though that matters) and it is much more fun to drive around town. I have retired the Cobra from the road course and drag strip. I may have something else for road racing in the near future.

Your choice but IMO unless you have an original it really doesn't matter what you put in it because most people just know it is a Cobra that sounds really awesome and goes like stink.

[TheExtreme]

IMHO, I believe there are pros and cons to 4/5/6 spd trannies. Period correct, original feel, comfort, sound, rpms you like to run at, etc. Personal preference is what it is all about. I run a 408 with a Richmond Street 5spd (3.28, 2.13, 1.57, 1.24, 1.00) and 3.00 ring and pinion. I really like it. @2500 rpm at 70. It's really a trial and error to find what fits your needs and what you feel comfortable with. YMMV.

[RodKnock]

And I'm assuming we're talking about a wide ratio Toploader (2.78 1st), because the close ratio (2.32 1st) is a joke, right?

[Clois Harlan]

Blykins is right but here as in most cities if your not running 75 or 80 between 5:30 am and 9:00 PM you are going to get moved out of the way. Even the freeway cops run those speeds.

As far as shifting ease the Toploader and Hurst is a nice match. I can honestly say I have never got my toploader hung up between gears.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by Clois Harlan

Blykins is right but here as in most cities if your not running 75 or 80 between 5:30 am and 9:00 PM you are going to get moved out of the way. Even the freeway cops run those speeds.

As far as shifting ease the Toploader and Hurst is a nice match. I can honestly say I have never got my toploader hung up between gears.

Yup. My Toploader is like my old Timex watch that I wear every day. It just keeps on tickin'!

[joyridin']

I have a T56 in my car with 3.7 rear gears and a .8? In 5th and .54 in 6th. I would not recommend it with a non fuel injected car, but it sure is great on the highway when you are burned out from a day of driving and the engine quiets down turning at 1900 RPM doing 70 mph.

I've had 3 speeds, 4 speeds, 5 speeds, and 6 speeds and shifting is shifting. I personally like the 6 speed the best as it has a real short shift pattern.

[fastd]

joyridin',

What does "non-fuel injected" have to do with a decision about a 6 speed?

[RodKnock]

And your "CLASSIC" Cobra REPLICA can be delivered to your doorstep by one of several manufacturers including, but not limited to, Backdraft, Shelby, Kirkham, Factory Five, Superformance, etc. Just pick up the telephone and call in your order now. Operators are standing by.

1-800-TRI-BUTE.

[Tim7139]

I must confess, while I have a TKO I ride around most of the time in fourth for the "cobra experience", but when the buttmunch in the PT Cruiser with the flames on the side tries to blow by me I like to play Capt. Jean Luc Picard........engage.

[Dominik]

On the german highways I cruised a lot at 80 mph, when the wind is just about bearable.
Same in the mountains, but where speeds drops to 40 mph in the bends often. I hate to shift down for a bend or a bike, so I prefered 4-speed with my 496cui. Toploader CR, 3.31:1 rear.

1st gets me to over 62 mph (easy)
2nd over 100 mph
3rd just about does it in the 1/4 mile at 125 mph if wheels don't spin much


Of course, it's better with a 5 speed - one can always just use the first four!!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Dominik

Of course, it's better with a 5 speed - one can always just use the first four!!

Sure you could, but you don't get the same "Cobra experience" and "Toploader feeling" when shifting with a Tremec. The Toploader just feels so right, like an old pair of slippers on a sunny Sunday morning with your freshly-brewed cup of Joe.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Sure you could, but you don't get the same "Cobra experience" and "Toploader feeling" when shifting with a Tremec. The Toploader just feels so right, like an old pair of slippers on a sunny Sunday morning with your freshly-brewed cup of Joe.

Now that's what I'm talking about!

[Thor maine]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

And your "CLASSIC" Cobra REPLICA can be delivered to your doorstep by one of several manufacturers including, but not limited to, Backdraft, Shelby, Kirkham, Factory Five, Superformance, etc. Just pick up the telephone and call in your order now. Operators are standing by.

1-800-TRI-BUTE.

And all of those kit manufactures can come from the factory (including Shelby American, AC Cars ltd Heritage) in their modern interpretation with mounts installed for a 4spd, 5spd, 6spd or auto of your choosing. So coming from the Shelby factory or the AC factory set up for a 5 or 6spd is as about as original as it gets!