4 spd vs 5 spd pros and cons

[peterpjb]

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.

sure, but they are all classic
its a decision if you prefer a classic or a modern car
cobra is classic, no matter if original, replica, continuation, kitcar, whatelse
if you decide to drive a modern car take a 991 or a AMG GT

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by peterpjb

sure, but they are all classic
its a decision if you prefer a classic or a modern car
cobra is classic, no matter if original, replica, continuation, kitcar, whatelse
if you decide to drive a modern car take a 991 or a AMG GT

No, I think you're "mixing it up."

The original Cobra built in the 1960's is a classic. That is correct.

Some approximation or imitation of the original that is being reproduced in mass quantities 50 years later with modern materials and process is modern. Not classic.

Only the owners of the original 1960's Cobra have classics. The rest of us own a modern reproduction of, or tribute to, a classic. And I personally see no reason, other than possibly money (even though the difference is a rounding error in the build), to not install a Tremec 5-speed.

[Bernica]

The old technology worked fine then and still works fine now, at least for me!
I have old tools and machines that actually still work better than the new stuff that you can buy now.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Bernica

The old technology worked fine then and still works fine now, at least for me!
I have old tools and machines that actually still work better than the new stuff that you can buy now.

Sure the old stuff works fine, but for those among us who prefer a quieter ride so you can have a conversation and not get tinnitus before we're 90 years old, freeway RPM's less than 3,500-4,000 RPM, less wear and tear on our expensive engines, the lower 1st gear of the Tremec (2.87 or 3.27 versus 2.78 or 2.32) and better gas mileage, then the modern tranny is a better choice.

[blykins]

You can block members through the forum software I think.

I would have to agree, RK....not everyone enjoys the constant belittling when someone posts a statement different to your opinion. You may think it's funny.....many of us don't.

We understand your thoughts on the subject....let it go.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by blykins

You can block members through the forum software I think.

Here's some substance. Yes, you can block members. Under "User CP", click on "Edit Ignore List." And you can type-in any member name there that you would like to block.

[Bernica]

Well written 427sharpe! Nice job and I enjoyed it.
To the OP, you are clearly getting a lot of opinions here, but no one can decide but you. That's how it works...

[blykins]

IMO, one of the biggest factors in choosing a transmission is the camshaft. When my customers order TKOs, I'll do an rpm/gear ratio calculation and figure out where they will be on cruise rpm.

Most guys want a lumpy cam and lumpy cams generally don't like to be lugged at low rpm. I'll usually pair the engine with a .82 OD to aid in that.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by blykins

IMO, one of the biggest factors in choosing a transmission is the camshaft. When my customers order TKOs, I'll do an rpm/gear ratio calculation and figure out where they will be on cruise rpm.

Most guys want a lumpy cam and lumpy cams generally don't like to be lugged at low rpm. I'll usually pair the engine with a .82 OD to aid in that.

Do you mean the biggest factor in choosing a transmission is which Tremec 5th gear to choose? That I know is debated here and often and definitely the camshaft size, tire size and type of driving matters.

But with the gears of the Tremec TKO600 being so close to the WR Toploader, and of course the 4th gear being 1.00 in each tranny, the only choice IMO for lumpy or non-lumpy cams is still the 5-speed.

My cam is fairly middling (245/252 @ 0.50), in terms of lumpiness, and I chose the .82 Tremec. And the .82 5th gear works perfectly for me cruising around town and the freeways.

Lastly, the OP hasn't even checked back since posting this thread, so he or she may have "left the building."

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Lastly, the OP hasn't even checked back since posting this thread, so he or she may have "left the building."

Yup. 4 pages of input in response to the OP's question, and nothing. I hate when that happens!!

[YerDugliness]

My replica has the WC T-5 trans with the high 5th (overdrive) gear....0.63 I think it is, but I could be off a bit.

I find first gear to be useless for anything other than parades...but that long overdrive gear gets used every time I'm on the road. If I were road racing I might want the closer ratio 0.8? overdrive, but I'm not. My replica gets 25 mpg on the highway and typically runs around 2,500 RPM doing it. My differential has the Ford Traction-Loc 3.73 gears.

As for daily highway use, I start from dead stops in second gear, skip 3rd and go directly to 4th and on to the OD 5th gear, unless I'm tooling around town, then I use only 2nd and 3rd. That OD gets used ONLY for cruising. If I need to pass something on the highway, I'll usually downshift to 4th just to get the rev's up, but never need to go down as far as 3rd gear.

As far as a daily driver, I like my setup VERY much...in fact, in dry weather (NOT unusual here in SW Kansas) my replica IS my daily driver on most days.

Cheers!

Dugly

[blykins]

A T-5 is another transmission that shifts like butter.....unfortunately they just don't hold up to a good amount of horsepower/torque.

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by blykins

A T-5 is another transmission that shifts like butter.....unfortunately they just don't hold up to a good amount of horsepower/torque.

I think my tires are the limiting factor for my replica now...the BFG T/A's are reported to be older than 20 years, which would be accurate given the verbal history I have received regarding the replica. At this point all it takes is a bit of throttle and the rear tires break loose...they must be as hard as Bakelite by now!! Once I get decent tires (which will be before it gets driven again) I'll get better traction and I'll need to be much more careful about how enthusiastic I will get with the right foot!

I know of sources for "strengthened" T-5's, and am quite curious about those used in the Chevy Astro vans, which are reported to be a stronger gearbox. At some point (hopefully, SOON!) there will be a HCI swap and then the balancing act between power and traction will ensue.

Cheers!

Dugly

[Joe's Garage]

What's with some of the thin skinned membership lately, pretty laughable - somehow a little sarcasm all of a sudden equates to being a troll.

Look in the mirror, if you're constantly looking for "trolls", then the reality is you are a troll hunting troll, and not that good at it from what I've seen

Choosing a 4-speed vs. 5-speed is a very simple question to answer. If you are hell bent on authenticity get the TL, otherwise there is no reason on God's green earth to get one, a TKO is the hands down winner. Better shifting, more reliable, you can run rear gears and tires to give you the 4 TL gears if you wanted - and get a nice OD in 5th courtesy of the TKO.

It's a NO BRAINER and why 99% of us run with a TKO/5-speed setup.

[blykins]

I've owned a Cobra with both a Toploader and a TKO 500. No one will ever convince me that the TKO shifted better/easier/buttery-er.....especially at higher rpms. That's why we sell the aftermarket shifters and Sure Shift kits for the Tremecs; so they will shift better. Tremecs have a pretty bad reputation in this area and I've heard it from more than one customer.

A no-brainer would be to use the transmission that you want to use. Obviously the TKO would do better at higher highway speeds, but if you're putting around at 55-60 mph all the time, I would be hard pressed to spend twice the money for one.

The TKO will also get the nod for torque capacity, unless it's a big input/output deal with cryo treated gears, REM polished, etc.

All of that is my opinion and I won't spend the next 4 pages talking down to people and mocking them because they disagree. I am probably the thickest skinned individual around here, but it just gets on my nerves when people write a sentence in order to bait someone into an argument. That's trolling and there's more than one individual on CC that does it.

[rodneym]

The TKO in my Kirkham shifts like a rusted tractor. Another 8k miles and she should be broken in

My second TKO600 had a shift upgrade by a local house. Shifted better than my old T5.

I've got another TKO600 with the upgrade from Liberty Gears waiting to go in - that and a twin disc clutch (you sold me Brent), Kirkham billet fork/slave, billet pan and a few other goodies, at McCluskey.
Should be fun. Should

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by blykins

I've owned a Cobra with both a Toploader and a TKO 500. No one will ever convince me that the TKO shifted better/easier/buttery-er.....especially at higher rpms. That's why we sell the aftermarket shifters and Sure Shift kits for the Tremecs; so they will shift better. Tremecs have a pretty bad reputation in this area and I've heard it from more than one customer.

A no-brainer would be to use the transmission that you want to use. Obviously the TKO would do better at higher highway speeds, but if you're putting around at 55-60 mph all the time, I would be hard pressed to spend twice the money for one.

The TKO will also get the nod for torque capacity, unless it's a big input/output deal with cryo treated gears, REM polished, etc.

All of that is my opinion and I won't spend the next 4 pages talking down to people and mocking them because they disagree. I am probably the thickest skinned individual around here, but it just gets on my nerves when people write a sentence in order to bait someone into an argument. That's trolling and there's more than one individual on CC that does it.

As I've mentioned previously in this thread, I've owned cars with Toploaders (CR and WR), Muncies (M20, M21 & M22, factory and Hurst linkage) and Tremecs (both TKO600's) and I honestly don't see any significant difference.

My TKO600 has never given me a problem and does shift flawlessly, though admittedly I haven't traveled 8,000 miles in my Cobra like rodneym. But I also had my Cobra's engine and transmission installed by an expert in the field.

As for people here on CC, there are a few that "get on my nerves." I don't respond or I simply ignore the thread. Turn the channel, if you don't like what's on TV. If I'm the one you're referring to when you say "baiting someone into an argument", and I'm "that troll", then please ignore me (click User CP, and then Edit Ignore). I don't mind and I really don't care. It's all good.

This is the Internet. If you want to remove arguments from the Internet, then we'll have to shut it down. If you want to control the Internet, then we'll have to move towards being a communist country.

As I mentioned to someone else in a very positive PM exchange, I grew up with car buddies shooting the breeze in each others garages. While one or more of us helped out, we would give each other crap. My humor was shaped by those experiences. I give Patrick a hard time, because he painted his Cobra beige. Folks give me a hard time because I don't drive my car. It's the circle of life.

BTW, a troll to me is starting a thread with a post that asks for opinions and then permanently leaves the thread, while the other members are left to their own devices.

[Joe's Garage]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

... I give Patrick a hard time, because he painted his Cobra beige ...

Beautiful car, I see the allure

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Joe's Garage

Beautiful car, I see the allure

Looks like Wimbledon White to me, maybe cream-ish. But please do notice the desert sand hummer camo beige background that the car was placed.

[RodKnock]

BTW, FWIW, there aren't many "my TKO600 is crap" threads in the "Transmission Talk" area of the forum. When a residential or commercial real estate developer sells a new home or building, they'll tell you in their warranty that no builder builds a perfect home or building. Toyota and Honda have problem cars too. Not all Tremecs operate like butter.