Willow Springs

Steve Dickey · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2001, 04:54 PM

Guys and Gals,
I'll be heading out to Willow to observe the weekend of the 27th/28th. Is one day generally better to watch than another? Hope to run into some of you out there, Steve

John Brooks · #2 (**permalink**) 10-21-2001, 02:33 AM

Hi.

Saturday is the best day in my opinion.

John.

Steve Dickey · #3 (**permalink**) 10-21-2001, 05:37 PM

John,
Thanks for the info, Steve

Robert Evans · #4 (**permalink**) 10-21-2001, 05:43 PM

Best day?...

To watch, Saturday.
To Run, Sunday.

coyled · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-2001, 02:26 PM

Well, the event was well run and lots of fun. That is except for my tremec exploding in third gear after turn 6. 7800 rpm in third and kaboom! I get to figure out what to do now, tranny wise, but I will be back. I think I am going to go with the TKO plus. Anybody running a TKO plus?scott

RACER X #99 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-30-2001, 02:50 PM

Scott,
I think the TKO is probably OK for Drag racing in a lower HP car .Why not go for a Jerico RR trans? Lots of gear choices but also cost lots of cash.Probably a more cost efective choice would be a top loader.
Cranky

BTW, we have a Club Cranky member with a Jerico in his Vintage Shelby Mustang racer and it shifts quicker than an automatic.(clutchless)

a427sc · #7 (**permalink**) 10-30-2001, 05:23 PM

Scott

I checked out Jericho's recently. They will do most any gear spread you want, even overdrive 4th (or third he asked). With all your HP and RPM capabilities, 4 gears should be plenty. And that slick "stuff it" shifting is a lot of fun.

John McMahon · #8 (**permalink**) 10-30-2001, 05:54 PM

Ya know...a Jericho might be a good idea for you.

......no wait, it still has a clutch, you just don't shift, so you could still blow it!

I think its bad voodoo Don. Your FE was not meant to go toe to toe with Darth Cranky. His is the dark force you know.

May the FEZ be with you my son......

Richard Hudgins · #9 (**permalink**) 10-30-2001, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by coyled
Well, the event was well run and lots of fun. That is except for my tremec exploding in third gear after turn 6. 7800 rpm in third and kaboom! I get to figure out what to do now, tranny wise, but I will be back. I think I am going to go with the TKO plus. Anybody running a TKO plus?scott

Hi Scott,

sorry to hear about your gearbox. I guess you just have too much motor.

However, the TKO .83 box soecs are:

TKO 3.27 1.98 1.34 1.00 .68 3.00 525 ft/lbs 26 input 31 output.

You should be good with this gearbox as you are going to hard pressed to have 525 torque hooked up at any given time.

coyled · #10 (**permalink**) 10-30-2001, 10:28 PM

Richard, I spoke with tremec today and there tko plus has a hardend third gear and hardend cluster. These were made in a limited number and there are only 4 left. The good news is that they have not had one break yet. The peek torque is 530 foot pounds at 5700 rpm. They tell me in road racing, since I shift like a little old lady, the downshift into third, then the rear tires snatch, then the third gear climbs out of the cluster enough to snap the teeth off. I guess these cases flex a little. I really like the tremec shifting wise and the other options are expensive and require bell housing, starter, driveshaft, shifter hole changes and the driver learning to shift a dog ring gear box. As a note, I have to lift at the entry to 8. A couple of times I was crossing my fingers to get the car straight enough to brake for the entry to 9. My cobra does not like braking in anything but a straight line or the car starts to pitch. I may have a bit to much rear bias, but I like the brakes. 7300 rpm on the front straight in fourth with 3.89 gear. what ever speed that is. scott

Richard Hudgins · #11 (**permalink**) 10-31-2001, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by coyled
Richard, I spoke with tremec today and there tko plus has a hardend third gear and hardend cluster. These were made in a limited number and there are only 4 left. The good news is that they have not had one break yet. The peek torque is 530 foot pounds at 5700 rpm. They tell me in road racing, since I shift like a little old lady, the downshift into third, then the rear tires snatch, then the third gear climbs out of the cluster enough to snap the teeth off. I guess these cases flex a little. I really like the tremec shifting wise and the other options are expensive and require bell housing, starter, driveshaft, shifter hole changes and the driver learning to shift a dog ring gear box. As a note, I have to lift at the entry to 8. A couple of times I was crossing my fingers to get the car straight enough to brake for the entry to 9. My cobra does not like braking in anything but a straight line or the car starts to pitch. I may have a bit to much rear bias, but I like the brakes. 7300 rpm on the front straight in fourth with 3.89 gear. what ever speed that is. scott

Scott,

1. they are saying that your shifts are causing the problem? If you are not matching revs, I can see some extra pressure loading on the back side of the syncros, but I find it hard to believe that the loading is too much for the box. (Unless they have some pressure angle problems in the box)

2. Case flex is doubtful. I would think that the problem would be in the mainshaft and layshaft stiffness. But the tremec shafts are quite close coupled and I really doubt that flexure is the problem.

3. Haven't you had a gearbox problem berfore with this current box? I seem to remember something you posted before. If so, there could be a problem in the tolerances in your particular gearbox. I would recommend that you get with someone that really knows how to properly "blueprint" the box before you spend any money on a new one or go to the effort of changing to a Jerico or a tex racing unit. These are very good boxs indeed, but quite expensive as you have probably seen. (By the way, shifting a dog ring box is easy. Easier than a syncro box in my estimation.)

Also, 7300 with a 3.89 gear and 26.25 tires is 145 mph. Are you sure that you have a 3.89. I would think that at Elkhart you would be running out of revs on the back section with that gear.

Of course you have to back off for 8. You drive a Cobra.

As to the braking problem, It would be my guess that your rear dampers are too soft in rebound, allowing the pitch that you are speaking of.

coyled · #12 (**permalink**) 10-31-2001, 10:00 PM

Richard, what they said was that the tranny usually breaks after you down shift then snatch the rear tires with mismatched revs. In my case it dbroke on the upshift, other side of turn 6. Yes, the tranny was apart twice before, with broken syncro inserts. They did say that when the case is heated and cooled, it can expand and contract a bit. They think the constant use of third gear in road racing is why it can climb right out of the cluster and snap teeth. The tires are 26.5 bias plys. I think my speed is more than 145mph and it is a 3.89 as I just had it apart. At road america, I was turning 8000rpm going into turn 5 forth gear. I also used 5th on the front straight. scott

mr bruce · #13 (**permalink**) 11-01-2001, 05:31 AM

I think the drag racers have a girdle for their T-5s, maybe whip one up for the Tremec?

a427sc · #14 (**permalink**) 11-01-2001, 06:53 AM

All this effort to patch up what appears to be a weak link. Special gears, girdles etc. With the season all but over, why not patch it up with a standard gearset, and sell it all, clutch, bell housing etc. If you can afford a $20,000 (I believe you said) Cup motor, how much more would you pay for the mental security? Every time you stuff that Tremec into third your going to hesitate and baby it, hoping it won't bite you back. I drove a Jericho once, and it is so easy you wouldn't believe. As for street, just use the clutch as you would any other trans. To quote Smokey, "slicker'n owl ****". With the engine rpm/torque package you have, I cant believe you need all those gears, how much do you use 1st?

Just an opinion, from a guy who loved the Jericho and wishes he had one.

Don

PS Scott, how long a tow is it to Road America for you? Mapquest says 1100 miles and 18 hours from here in CT.

mr bruce · #15 (**permalink**) 11-01-2001, 08:42 AM

Hey FEZ, your welcome to lay-over here in the 'Burgh, that'll put you half way. Got room for one or two caravan members +rigs. Leave a day early, let the Jersey cru catch up with us here.

Trans-Am Jim · #16 (**permalink**) 11-01-2001, 09:46 AM

Scott:

If you are gonna ditch the TKO, also check out the Quaife and Saenz pieces. Some guys swear they're better than the Jericho.
A bit more costly, though.

a427sc · #17 (**permalink**) 11-01-2001, 05:35 PM

Bruce, sounds like an offer I couldn't refuse. Be glad to stop over, especially to see some of the projects you got goin' on.

Will have to try to work it out for next year.

Don