4 spd vs 5 spd pros and cons

[patrickt]

As requested by two other members. If there's any real interest, I'll post pics. The hardest part is just getting to the pig tail coming out of the switch at the top of the TKO. It's easiest to just remove your shift boot and come in from up top. I used the standard Bosch 5-pin relay that ERA uses for the horns and fans so it matches perfectly on the firewall.

[TheExtreme]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

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BTW, I hear 3 speeds can be had cheaper than a Toploader.

On the tree.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by xb-60

?? Why wouldn't I want to go 60mph in first gear?



My Toploader and Hurst shifter, properly rebuilt by an expert to as-new condition (David Kee's agent), cost as much as one of them there fancy 5 speed TKO thingies.



No.
OK, it is a period correct gearbox, fitted to 427-engined cars, but a T-10 (of course) would be the correct fitment to a 289 engine Cobra.




Well, feel is a personal thing. The Hurst shifter is like a rifle bolt in its action. I like it, and that's what matters, Rod. I'm not trying to convince anybody



Thanks.



Err, umm, I wouldn't go down that path myself Rod, but I suppose if you wanted to, that's entirely up to you....I guess.


Cheers,
Glen

I didn't know a T-10 is the correct FIA box, but then I'm not a Cobra historian. And of course, my attention has always been paid towards the 427 Cobra.

So, if the money is the roughly the same for a quality rebuilt Toploader, and in the case of an FIA, a T10 is period authentic, then the Tremec is the only choice in my opinion for ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE considering the decision.

The 2.87 1st will speed your engine up more quickly (than a 2.78 1st gear), has a higher torque capacity (600/ft lbs) and having the 5th gear OD option for longer distance cruising, while having a hi-performance final drive ratio (3.31, 3.42/mine, 3.54) is really where the rest of the Cobra replica world has gone. And why the majority of Cobra replicas have Tremecs.

There are always "lone wolf" holdouts, who just want to get to 60mph in 1st gear, although the rest of the world will want to get to their destination more quickly without blowing up their tranny.