4 spd vs 5 spd pros and cons

[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.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

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.

My hearing is shot anyways from 40 years in the construction industry, so I am going ahead and putting un-packed classic chambered exhaust on it and just listen to the pipes in all 4 gears!

[Dwight]

Bernica, I installed 3" Classic Chamber on my Cobra. They were 28" long which was 4" longer than the old ones. I did turn the louvers the correct way this time.
They are quieter at speed than my old pipes. You can carry on a conversation with your passenger at 60 - 70 mph.

I think a 5 speed is the only way to go.

Dwight

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by Dwight

Bernica, I installed 3" Classic Chamber on my Cobra. They were 28" long which was 4" longer than the old ones. I did turn the louvers the correct way this time.
They are quieter at speed than my old pipes. You can carry on a conversation with your passenger at 60 - 70 mph.

I think a 5 speed is the only way to go.

Dwight

Mine are 22" as per what I took off. And no, I don't need no stinkin' 5th gear!
Now I just read that next year Ford will offer an F-150 with a 10-speed. Seriously?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Bernica

Now I just read that next year Ford will offer an F-150 with a 10-speed. Seriously?

You better get to your rotary dial phone fast, call your local Ford dealer, then saddle up the horse and carriage.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Bernica

My hearing is shot anyways from 40 years in the construction industry, so I am going ahead and putting un-packed classic chambered exhaust on it and just listen to the pipes in all 4 gears!

If your hearing is shot, then how are you going to listen to your unpacked classic chambered exhaust?

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

If your hearing is shot, then how are you going to listen to your unpacked classic chambered exhaust?

It's not shot. My wife claims that I hear just what I want to!
Certain decibel ranges are shot from years of loud, but far from deaf!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

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.

Bernica, you're a good guy too, but the title of this thread is about the pros and cons of a 4-speed versus 5-speed in a Cobra replica. Merely, stating that you prefer "the feel" of the Toploader is purely subjective. How do you define "the feel"? How do you define the "Cobra experience" when almost no one here has actually owned or driven an original Cobra?

Yet, as I pointed out above (see my quote), the advantages of the 5-speed are:

1. Lower 1st gear ratio, for better starts,
2. Lower noise at cruising speeds, for better for hearing,
3. Increased gas mileage, for reducing your gas bill and traveling farther in between stops,
4. Less wear and tear on your expensive engine
5. Tremecs are new transmissions, Toploaders are old transmissions, so you're more likely to see threads about "popping out of gear" with old transmissions than with newer ones, though there are exceptions to every rule.

And the disadvantage of the Tremec is the cost, though I'm not sure how much a rebuilt Toploader sells for these days.

Personally, I find what I said as "substance" and exactly what the OP requested. And I find phrases such as the "feel of the Toploader" and the heightened "Cobra experience" as subjective opinion and pure nonsense.

I apologize to you for having some fun with the retro comparison comments (e.g., rotary phone, horse-drawn carriage, vinyl records, etc.), but that is just my sarcastic humor being drawn out. However, I do find that I have given the OP "substance" in response to his/her question, so if you find that to be trolling then I disagree with you.