Help: info on smooth trany, handling

Victor Severino · #1 (**permalink**) 10-24-2001, 05:36 PM

I would like to get some opinions on which might be the smoothest trany, mated to a stroked 351w. I'm looking for a 5 speed. Mainly for road use...in-town driving and 'sunday' driving.

I'm looking for a silky smooth and effortless feel as possible. I realize this is a bit counter to the character of a cobra but I am anal about my transmissions. I tried the richmond 5 speed and liked it.

How about the feel of a small block vs a big block......i heard the 428's make the nose feel heavy and slow vs the small blocks? Is the handling that much different?

Your help is much appreciated.

- Vic

Sonny · #2 (**permalink**) 10-25-2001, 10:26 AM

VS
You will need the Tremec with the REdline oil and a good shifter behind the 351 stroker, very smooth> I thought the Richmond was a bit rough for street use, the ones I've tried. A 460 is not nose heavy, that has been so overblown by the ones that have experienced bad suspended cars it's not funny. How can 75 additional pounds make that kind of difference, think about it! Added feature is the 427/460 sound, nuthin' like it, and 0-100 there's literally nuthin' like it except a full race VIPER GTSR at 4.90/lbs/HP or the like. Your 351 stroker will not offer the street amazement that a mild 460 will, and when you show it off, "oh a 351!" is what you'll hear everytime, not the big grins you will get with the big block. Take it from a 351C owner.

CobraEd · #3 (**permalink**) 10-25-2001, 10:59 AM

I believe the Windsor engines (302/351) weigh about 420lbs while the 460 weighs 720lbs.

Ed

Bob Putnam · #4 (**permalink**) 10-26-2001, 04:44 AM

All the official Ford specs are listed here. I was surprised to see the 429SCJ's weight listed as 590lbs, the 302 at 480lbs and the 351W at 515. I suspect that the 429 had aluminum heads, but they weren't specifically mentioned.

CobraEd · #5 (**permalink**) 10-26-2001, 05:21 AM

Bob, I have seen that site before. Although very interesting and fun to browse thru, it is not associated with FORD. It is just a generic site like anyone can build. I would be wary of some of the info they show. Check the small print at the bottom.

Ed

Sonny · #6 (**permalink**) 10-30-2001, 09:19 AM

COBRAed,

I'll run my OHAUS scales against your Replica scales , name your poison pardner!.......the 351W we weighed in our shop was 516.1 lbs to our 460bb at 593.3, a 77.2 lbs difference.