5 speed Gearshift Knob

Turk · #1 (**permalink**) 12-10-2002, 11:50 PM

I am getting ready to install a TKO II in a Cobra.
Where can I get a gearshift knob that looks like the original knob but has markings for the 5 speed pattern, or a blank one for local engraving?

I couldn't be the only one out there with a 5 speed tranny, with the correct shifter!!

TURK

Jeff Frigo · #2 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 12:04 AM

Use a 4-speed knob and let everbody think its a 4-speed.

Jeff Frigo · #3 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 12:21 AM

Turk:

Why are you using a TKO instead of a Richmond 5-speed? Isn't 1st. gear going to be just a little short? If you think it is hard to hook up with a top loader, just wait till you try your TKO. Just my .02 cents.

Turk · #4 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 12:31 AM

Jeff,
You might be right about hooking up, but since I do 99% of my driving on the highway the 5th gear in TKO II was appealing enough to give it a try. I wanted a little reduced RPMs while cruising.

Richmond? I don't know, I took the advice of others and Richmond wasn't recommended. Maybe I will try that one on the third car. Then it will be time to retire to an auto transmission and drive into the sunset.

Now, do you have a 5 speed gearshift knob or not?

TURK

Jeff Frigo · #5 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 01:06 AM

Not trying to argue, but why is a TKO better than a Richmond? Richmond is stronger, slightly less expensive, and has much better ratios. You still have an overdrive with the Richmond, you just need to use a smaller rear gear.

As an example, lets say you are going to use a 3.54 gear set.

TKO:

1st. = 3.27x3.54 = 11.58
2nd. = 1.98X3.54 = 7.01
3rd. = 1.34x3.54 = 4.74
4th. = 1.00x3.54 = 3.54
5th. = 0.83x3.54 = 2.94

Richmond: (use a 2.88 gear set)

1st. = 3.27x2.88 = 9.42
2nd. = 2.13x2.88 = 6.13
3rd. = 1.57x2.88 = 4.52
4th. = 1.23x2.88 = 3.54
5th. = 1.00x2.88 = 2.88

Almost identical 3rd. 4th, and 5th. gear ratios with much lower ratios in 1st and 2nd. Most people do not understand this. Tremec 5 speeds were originally designed for trucks where you need short ratios in 1st. and 2nd. gears in order to get the load moving. This is called torque multiplication which is not needed for high hp. to weight ratios cars.

Sorry for the bable.

Jeff Frigo · #6 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 01:10 AM

Sorry, no 5-speed knob. Are you afraid you are going to forget the shift pattern?

Turk · #7 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 01:33 AM

Jeff,
I didn't think you were arguing. I was just giving you a hard time over the knob. I am NOT afraid I will forget the shift pattern, I am slightly worried about finding reverse when I am not looking for it.

I do have a 3:54 rear end, and have been tmpted to go with 3:31 until the last minute.

How different do you think the above combinatons will perform ,say from 50-90 mph?

TURK
I didn't say TKO II was better than Richmond, it is just that it never came up.

\

Jeff Frigo · #8 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 01:45 AM

If you are still doing the TP motor, I would stick with the 3.54 gears.

Couldn't resist the shift pattern funny. I don't want to piss off some people, but most I really don't care about, in fact, I enjoy pissing some people off. BTW, I didn't say that because you are a moderator.

Mark IV · #9 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 05:31 AM

Turk,

Try MOTORSORT INTERNATIONAL I think they had one for the T5 used in AC MK IVs. They sold a shifter setup to make the the AC look like the old reversed Galaxie shifter unit and I seem to remember that they offered a knob in the original "reversed dish top" style with the 5 speed pattern.

Jeff,
Of course he can't remember the pattern. The first thing to go with RAKI is the short term memory.

What was I talking about?

Rick

CHRIS POTTER · #10 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 05:53 AM

Turk, I have a 5-speed shift knob that should fit. Email me your address offline, and I'll send it to you. I'll even spring for the shipping. It's the least I can do for you!

RACER X #99 · #11 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 06:38 AM

It's no wonder Evan beat you in that drag race, you were spending all your time reading the directions on the shift knob.

Talk about running up the post count.

RD

Excaliber · #12 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 08:04 AM

Cranky,,,,,,,ha ha I love that comment! "Looks like over and up for third,,,,or was that fifth? Now where was reverse again?"

LOL

Oinee

Roscoe · #13 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 08:08 AM

I believe Enzo and Branda have cast alum knobs with the shift pattern.

Roscoe

Jack21 · #14 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 08:32 AM

Hurst has a Classic shifter ball with a variety of trans patterns, 4 spd, and 5 spd. Slightly smaller than a billard ball, black or white, 20 bucks or so. Have one on my T-5Z. Looks good, feels good.

decooney · #15 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 08:50 AM

Turk,
I know this is unsolicited, but I thought I'd pipe in if you are trying to decide on rear gears and the TKO setup.

IMHO you will be disappointed with a 3.54 rear and a TKO trans (if you are running a big-block again). 1st gear will be just about useless. Also, the cam you run will also determine the driveability too. Even with the 3.31 rear, 1st will seem too low. I tried a 3.31 again, and I know some guys that are going back to 3.08 rears gears with big blocks. This as you know is because of how light the cars are, and how much torque the big blocks have. The correct match makes 1st and 5th very driveable - depending on your cam and tire height in the rear. Good luck.

Turk · #16 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 09:24 AM

Jeff,
I decided against the TP after all. Doing a MR, Tunnel Wedge Dual 4, steel block and steel crank mild maanered 427 SO. You have to work harder to Piss me off. You are not that good at it. Do you want a complete list of those who are?

Mark IV,
Thanks for the lead. I wish they would put up a website. I have the catalog however.

CHRIS,
Thanks a lot. Please send it to

Aytac "TURK" Ercen
WOODARD CHEVROLET-OLDS-CADILLAC
2501 Martin Road
Fairfield, CA 94533

Will you accept a Cavalier driver side windshield wiper arm in return?

Cranky
I suppose at your age you no longer have to worry about shifter knobs and stuff. What are you doing nowadays, driving an automatic?

Excaliber
It huirts when a homeless guy with no wheels makes fun of you.

Roscoe
Aluminum shifter knob in an aluminum car? Neah too aluminumy!

decooney
If it is that low a gearing, I will treat it like a 4 spee and skip 1st. all together and use the 1st. gear for towing and hill climbs.

jack21
I think I found the right one after all. this one lights up at night too.

TURK

Chaplin · #17 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 09:57 AM

Turk/Duane/Jeff-
I am also going to use the TKO II, but with a 3.31 rear. Even with that I am worried that 1st will be useless, but Doug at ERA and others have said that it should work fine. With a 3.54, you very well may end of with a 3 speed and overdrive- which really should not be a problem given the amount of torque these engines generate.

I was tossing around the idea of using the Richmond 5-speed, but I have read and been told by others that the Richmond does not shift nearly as well as the TKO (Can't independently verify this b/c I haven't driven either, but that is what I have heard).

Therefore, TKO II and 3.31 for me.

That's my.02

Excaliber · #18 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 10:37 AM

Nice gear shift for a guy with no car......

Ha ha,,,got you!

Ernie

Pete C · #19 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 10:50 AM

Turk, contact Brian at classic motor sports. He got one for my GT 350 clone. If you want I'll send his number by e-mail.

Cheers, Pete C

PS still a magnet

weekendwarrior · #20 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 11:01 AM

Comments on the TKO II and the Richmond Trans?

I heard the TKO sits in the original top loader location and the Richmond sits offcenter on the drivers side, is this correct?

The Richmond (Doug Nash) has straight cut gears, stronger but more noise than the TKO?

TIA

Gary