Toploader vs TKO 600 Subjective Shift 'Feel' Rankings

[blykins]

Sure, I'll just post here instead of emailing.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

Sure, I'll just post here instead of emailing.

Ahh, I see, so the offset coil springs kind of push your shifter over for third gear so it's easier to find, correct?

EDIT -- Here's a youtube video on the Steeda Tri-Ax http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4sKE0u9efk

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Ahh, I see, so the offset coil springs kind of push your shifter over for third gear so it's easier to find, correct?

There's a 3rd gear?

[blykins]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Ahh, I see, so the offset coil springs kind of push your shifter over for third gear so it's easier to find, correct?

EDIT -- Here's a youtube video on the Steeda Tri-Ax http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4sKE0u9efk

Patrick, yes.

It's spring loaded, so when you're going from 2nd to 3rd, you essentially just have to push upwards and the springs kick you over to the neutral position and you just continue to push up. When you get used to it, you're basically just shoving the thing upwards.

Rodknock...

You can use that shifter handle, or you can use the existing one that bolts to a regular Tremec shifter. A 427/289 Tremec repop handle will work.

Everyone....

I sell aluminum flywheels too.

[RICK LAKE]

TKB289 Tim before you buy a trans for the car, the to big questions are How much TORQUE and hp is your motor going to produce?? What rearend gear ratio are you looking at? What fuel system are you looking at, carb, FI system, webers? Are you going to keep this car for the long haul? If so, might you get the power craze and want a more powerful motor down the road? IMO the TKO 600 will work fine for your car. For first gear, you want something in the 2.80-2.60 depending on the rearend ratio. If the motor is stock and mild, get an steel flywheel. This stores energy better that aluminum for moving the car forward. 28-32 lb flywheel. Over drive ratio in the .80's to .70's. TKO has fixed some of the problem with there trannies. With a SB motor car, the ratio in the rearend would be a 3.31-3.54. Anything lower and your motor will be weak in grunt to push the car along at highway speeds. You want the motor about 500-700 rpms into the torque power band. This will give you the best mpg and easy accell without down shifting all the time. For my car I have a richmond 6 spd and race G-force 5 speed. I have 3.31 gearing and think it works best for the torque motor I have. IMO I think that Richmond still builds a better trans over all. Dad always said you get what you pay for and I still believe this to be very true. Rick L.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by blykins

Rodknock...

You can use that shifter handle, or you can use the existing one that bolts to a regular Tremec shifter. A 427/289 Tremec repop handle will work.

Is the Tri-Ax that much better than the shifter that comes from Tremec? If I bolt my existing Kirkham-supplied handle to the Tri-Ax, then is the spring-loaded 3rd seem strange since the Kirkham-supplied handle is bent forward like the original 427 versus a modern straight up position?

I haven't done it, but I assume the switch of shifter mechanisms be done from "up top" in the interior.

Interesting. Sorry Tim for derailing your thread.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Is the Tri-Ax that much better than the shifter that comes from Tremec? If I bolt my existing Kirkham-supplied handle to the Tri-Ax, then is the spring-loaded 3rd seem strange since the Kirkham-supplied handle is bent forward like the original 427 versus a modern straight up position?

I haven't done it, but I assume the switch of shifter mechanisms be done from "up top" in the interior.

Interesting. Sorry Tim for derailing your thread.

I'm not sure about the Kirkham setup, but the stock SPF handle that is bent forward works fine with the Tri-ax. The shift from second to third is much smoother than the stock setup and the spring loaded mechanism isn't really noticeable.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

I'm not sure about the Kirkham setup, but the stock SPF handle that is bent forward works fine with the Tri-ax. The shift from second to third is much smoother than the stock setup and the spring loaded mechanism isn't really noticeable.

My Kirkham uses the bent forward shifter and I think just the stock Tremec shifter mechanism. It doesn't seem to have any "spring" to it.

So, if Doug likes it, then maybe I'll get me one.

Can the switch be made from the interior of the car? I should have thought of this before.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Can the switch be made from the interior of the car? I should have thought of this before.

Yes, but you're going to have to pull the tunnel. Having just had the boot ring off I just don't think there's enough room for an arthroscopic job. Here's their instructions page. It appears to be a pretty straight forward task. http://www.steeda.com/directions/

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Is the Tri-Ax that much better than the shifter that comes from Tremec? If I bolt my existing Kirkham-supplied handle to the Tri-Ax, then is the spring-loaded 3rd seem strange since the Kirkham-supplied handle is bent forward like the original 427 versus a modern straight up position?

I haven't done it, but I assume the switch of shifter mechanisms be done from "up top" in the interior.

Interesting. Sorry Tim for derailing your thread.

Rodney,

The shifter mechanisms are interesting indeed ... seems that they are a popular enhancement.

- Tim

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by blykins

Sure, I'll just post here instead of emailing.

The Steeda shifter works great. I had the stock shifter on my car for the first 2,000 miles, then upgraded. Huge improvement.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

The Steeda shifter works great. I had the stock shifter on my car for the first 2,000 miles, then upgraded. Huge improvement.

Well, that answers one question. Doug, you beat me to it.