Quote:
Originally Posted by Dangerous Doug
Anyone else have recommendations for the Tremec 5-speed? Which gear ratios did you select and why. What differential gear ratio are you running?
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I went with the ERA outboard brake rear. There were some issues with some folks, not all, concerning wheel hop with the Jag rear (and changing the pads on inboard brakes is another point). The ERA rear gives me no hop whatsoever. I have the Spax dampers set at 12 (which is two clicks softer than right in the middle) and Yokos on the rear. When I stick her she doesn’t hop, and she doesn’t squat; she just spins and goes. The rear end ratio is 3.54 and the transmission is a TKO600 with the .64 OD. Two issues surround the TKO600; the choice of the OD (.64 or .82) and the “stuck in gear” issue. Your choice on the overdrive will be governed by your rear end ratio choice and your torque curve. My FE puts out gobs of torque, and is smooth, at 2000rpm and less. Thus I can cruise at 70mph at 2000rpm where the wind noise is actually louder than the pipes. That’s very nice, but that’s all that fifth gear is ever used for. More folks on this board have chosen the .82 ratio than the .64. If given the chance to switch to the .82, I would stay with my .64; it’s perfect for me. If you’re not going with the TKO600 take a look at the gear ratios to make sure you’re happy in both low gears and high gears - all Tremec ratios are not the same and you want to make sure you know what you’re doing. You need to have a gearing calculator (many of them are on the web) handy to work out your transmission/rear-end/engine torque curve relationship. You will hear complaints that some folks’ first gear is unusable; some say their fifth gear is unusable. I will say though that there is a benefit to having a first gear that allows you to go
slow when you want to; you might want to keep that in mind. That allows for easier take-offs, less strain on components, etc. On the other hand, the one time I let my brother drive my Cobra he started off in 3rd gear – but the FE didn’t seem to mind it and it would have taken him to 100mph before he would have had to shift! But that’s an FE for you. Good luck.