Which clutch for Toploader to Tremec swap

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

I wasn't handy until now?

Yes, the OD of a small input Toploader bearing retainer and a TKO 500/600 bearing retainer are the same so you can use the same TOB.

Yes, you're always handy, but I was looking at a McLeod TOB the other day and was surprised to see that it had a zerk fitting on the side. Is that just a gimmick?

[Grubby]

I plan to use the spacer between the trans and bell. It will put the shifter in a closer to original location. Doug at ERA said the piece on the back of the trans needed trimmed. I did that per the book. I suspect it does not need trimmed if you do not use the spacer.

Brent - I may call about the offset shifter. I need to get the tunnel in and see how things look. I may just offset the shift handle with plate steel, I may patch the tunnel and put the hole in the typical ERA location. I have not decided yet.

Excaliber - My car is difficult in city traffic. It needs more gear. On the open road it is OK. My last ERA had 3.54 gears with a Tremec and I was very satisfied. Doug (at ERA) ask me which gear I planned to run and suggested the 3.54, but I had already made up my mind. He said the car would be doggy with the 3.07 - and it is.

We all drive our cars differently and want different things from them. I already have a complete Jag 3rd member ready to go, the 3.07 unit will be for sale soon if you want to change yours out. It was built by ERA.

This has been a good thread.

John

[Jim Holden]

John:

I used a 3:08 rear in my second 428cj ERA427SC with what ws then called a Doug Nash 4+1 (now Richmond) where 5th is 1:1. I thought that combination was great. Numerically, 4th gear (1.24 ratio) worked out to be approximately equivilent to a Top Loader four speed with 3:54 rear (See: http://www.richmondgear.com/07pdfs/RG23.pdf)

If I ever build another big block car with that rear gear ratio, I would use the Richmond 5 speed (where 5th is 1:1)

Jim

[patrickt]

I had mine out today for a short while, but it was a little chilly. The 3.54 with the Tremec, I think, is absolutely perfect -- it might not be perfect for the drag strip, but it allows you to go slowly in first gear, which is nice. Now it can be a tricky call for the fifth gear, but I went with the .64 -- around here highway speeds are 70 and above and my engine is comfortable at just over 2000RPM. One of my absolute favorite things to do is to take her out on the interstates towards the mountains and just piddle along at 70mph at just a hair over 2000RPM. There's more wind noise than there is side pipe noise, and it's just delightful. It's a cruise-only gear, though. Certainly not for road racing.