G Force synco box

Ant · #1 (**permalink**) 01-03-2004, 03:41 AM

Looking at the G Force website, the T5 appears to be reasonably priced box, I have a used straight cut dog style gearbox, but might be a problem with "her indoors" driving on the street!
Anyone inform me if the straight cut set is passable for street, and also the syncro box does it make more noise than a standard type synco trans?

Having said all that their approx 600bhp, 500ftlbs rating in a lightweight trans is the most important feature.

blykins · #2 (**permalink**) 01-03-2004, 06:51 AM

A gearbox with straight cut gears will make more noise. Helical or spiral gears are much quieter...that's why when you put your car in reverse, you can always hear it whine...reverse gears are always spur (straight) gears...

It seems like a straight cut gear box with no synchros would be a pain in the butt on the street...You'd always have to match revs. It's definitely do-able though. There's nothing that sounds better than a straight-cut gearbox whining through the gears though.

David Kee · #3 (**permalink**) 01-03-2004, 08:34 AM

Dog face engagement will not be very fun on the street. Every shift will have to be fast and firm to keep from damaging the lugs. Under light throttle the shifts are violent but under full throttle there is nothing that shifts like it.
I would be curious to see how long any T-5 holds up to 500ftlbs.

Ant · #4 (**permalink**) 01-03-2004, 03:23 PM

blykins,

It comes back to me now, going quick is good for a straight cut box, and then you might another driver in, and graunch graunch, I think the novelty would wear off, and especially if you chipped a gear!

David,
Same message, a straight cut isn't practical for the road and some circuit use, lovely sound and all that
The torque loading of an approx 500ftlbs claim for the T5 may be a limiting factor as I will be using a 347 stroker engine in a good state of tune.

The Richmond hasn't a smooth slick gear change, and the Tremec having a low 3.27 first gear and a high OD fifth gear doesn't impress me, but maybe the Tremec with a thereabouts 3.04 first gear would be good!
So in a nutshell I am confused on what to get, but want a five speed this time round. I dont expect you to comment on the best trans for my application on the forum, but at least there is a choice out there, and that will have to be made soon, as I want to complete some construction work in the trans tunnel area.

blykins · #5 (**permalink**) 01-03-2004, 03:59 PM

Hey Ant....

I think you may wanna consider a Toploader....I just built one for my Cobra...and I even have a 3.70 9" Ford....But I don't anticipate any cross-country trips...that doesn't matter to me. If you went with a little higher gear....say a 3.31 or a 3.50...you should have no problem at all. You'd have a bulletproof tranny....way more capable than any you've listed above.

blykins · #6 (**permalink**) 01-03-2004, 04:00 PM

Otherwise your best bet is a TKO...maybe with a Liberty shift kit...if you truly want a 5-speed.

Cal Metal · #7 (**permalink**) 01-03-2004, 06:53 PM

I would speculate that, under hard shifting with 500 ft lbs. of torque, the T-5's life could be measured in seconds.

Ant · #8 (**permalink**) 01-03-2004, 10:18 PM

Thanks for the advice,

I will forget the T5

As my car like most of yours should be a bloody quick street, come track car, my $$$ choices are basic synco transmissions, most seem to go Toploader and Tremec, the Toploader is a great trans, and as I dont intend on cruising much above 70mph I suppose a TL and 3.27/3.08 final drive would do but.......................I want real quick acceleration with a reasonable top speed 155-165mph so I could look like a 3.7 ratio with a Tremec!

TerribleTed13 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-03-2004, 10:31 PM

Ant,
www.poweredbyford.com had the best price I found on a tremec.
You can get a TKO for about $1350.00
Hope this helps.

Ant · #10 (**permalink**) 01-04-2004, 02:44 AM

Thanks Ted,

For the information will take a look, by the way whats the normal position for the shifter in a cobra? - my motor is in roughly original position!

I will have to do some measurements as I have the dimensions of the Tremec!

blykins · #11 (**permalink**) 01-04-2004, 06:26 AM

Shifter Position? Basically the tranny is almost behind you...shifter comes out of the tunnel and dog leg's forward toward the dash.

BTW, I have a Car & Driver showing a Shelby Cobra going 134 with a 4.10 rearend and a Toploader....you could make the gear a little taller and probably hit your 155 mark.

David Kee · #12 (**permalink**) 01-04-2004, 09:17 AM

With 500 ftlb of torque being the most important feature you can forget any of the Tremec 5 speeds. The one that would come the closest to handling the power would be the TKO II. Also if you are looking for quick accelleration the 5 speed tremec ratios (1st @ 3.27 and 2nd @ 1.98) are not going to help. If you change the rear gear to make 1st useable the drop in rpm when you shift to second is going to be a killer.

Ant · #13 (**permalink**) 01-04-2004, 01:13 PM

David,

Can you get different ratios for the TKO?
Maybe I should shoot for the old reliable TL, but I am trying to avoid changing differential ratios

blykins · #14 (**permalink**) 01-04-2004, 02:07 PM

I don't think you can get different ratios...I'm pretty sure the Tremecs are the same...except for the TKO II which has a lower 5th gear. I'm sure someone out there can make a different set of cogs for you, but there again, it would cost money...plus the labor of taking it apart and reassembling it.

On the other hand, you can get Jericos custom made with the ratios you want.....there again it's a 4 speed....but I thought I saw somewhere where they make a 5-speed. I'm sure it would cost a pretty penny though.

Go for the Toploader man....

a427sc · #15 (**permalink**) 01-04-2004, 05:27 PM

Check out this heavily modified T5. They have a helical gear set unit too, but the straight/dogs unit is pretty neat. There is also a roadrace tremec unit (not the TKOII) with better ratios, Forte's says it works fine as long as you aren't drag racing.

Has anybody had any experience with the T5 enduro?

D

www.5speeds.com

David Kee · #16 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 10:34 AM

Ant,
Would a 2.87 first gear help in a wide ratio toploader?
This would help with less rear gear.
Ratio's would be 2.87 - 1.93 - 1.36 - 1.00

Ant · #17 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 03:50 PM

David,

Is that 2.87 or 2.78?

David Kee · #18 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 03:56 PM

2.78 is stock

2.87 is a ratio I may make to help with similar issues.

DonC · #19 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 05:43 PM

David:
To the best of your knowledge is anyone making a different ratio first gear to the TKO?
DonC

Jack21 · #20 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 07:18 PM

Ant,

If it were mine, I'd get the G-Force T-5Z for a 5 speed.

With a big block, 9" rear, and slicks (and my son driving), I'd go with a toploader. I'm sure Dave K could build you one that was bulletproof.

With a 347, street tires and you driving; even ocassional track use, the T5Z should be adequate, and the G-Force T5 more than adequate.

I have a street/cruise car with a reasonably stout 351W roller motor. It's coupled to a Liberty blueprinted T5Z, Hurst shifter, with synthetic ATF, has 15,000 miles on it now with no trouble since mile 1.

Should I upgrade the motor to a 393 stroker, I'd probably stick the T5Z back in untouched. If it started giving me trouble, I'd upgrade the trans to the G-Force. If my son wanted to do some track time with the car, I'd go G-Force.

I cut my teeth on 4 speeds in the 60's like a lot of us here did. The T5Z had an optional .80 5th that I had Liberty install. For highway cruising, it's terrific. Engine loafs along at 2300 RPM getting about 17MPG. The 2.95 1st is a little low and I tend to shortshift into second early. The trans shifts like a Honda; very smooth, and very quiet. A Cobra only weighs 2400 pounds, and with street tires, it's difficult to put enough torque through the driveline to damage the trans. The wheels will start spinning first.

The Tremec was a godsend to Mustang racers in the mid 80's. The T5's then, were only rated for 260 fptq, and were breaking left and right. The Tremec and T5 had similar 1st, and 5th gears which worked out fine in light of the stock Mustang 2.73 rear gears. The 5.0 didn't mind cruising at 1600 - 1800 RPM either. But the Tremec was, and still is a Mexican truck transmission. 3 of the 5 gears are usable in a Cobra. Over the past 20 years, I haven't seen Tremec responding to its end user base with better optional gearsets, nor has the aftemarket responded with more appropriate replacement gearsets. But the T5 has.

Today, I think builders opting for the Tremec, particularly for small block applications, even 400 inch strokers, are following the crowd rather than making informed purchasing decisions.

For mostly race, some street, limited cruise use a 4 speed toploader. For mostly street, a lot of cruising and highway use, ocassional track use; use the T5Z, or G-Force T5 depending on engine size and right foot size.