Go Back   Club Cobra > Manufacturers, Engine Builders, tools, and parts. > Kirkham Motorsports

Welcome to Club Cobra!  The World's largest non biased Shelby Cobra related site!

  •  » Representation from nearly all Cobra/Daytona/GT40 manufacturers
  •  » Help from all over the world for your questions
  •  » Build logs for you and all members
  •  » Blogs
  •  » Image Gallery
  •  » Many thousands of members and nearly 1 million posts! 

YES! I want to register an account for free right now!  p.s.: For registered members this ad will NOT show

MMG Superformance
Nevada Classics
MMG Superformance
Main Menu
Nevada Classics
Nevada Classics
MMG Superformance
Keith Craft Racing
Advertise at CC
Banner Ad Rates
MMG Superformance
MMG Superformance
MMG Superformance
December 2024
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31        

Kirkham Motorsports

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 03:57 PM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: San Carlos, Carmel, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham #625 427S/C, 468 ci Al block, 615 HP
Posts: 100
Not Ranked     
Default About to order a Kirkham; seeking transmission advice

I am about to order a Kirkham 427 SC chassis and was looking for some advice. I am planning a 468 aluminum block of around 500 Hp +/-, probably sourced by FE specialties ( I live in the SF bay area). The big as yet unspecified item is transmission. It looks like there a several choices in 4 and 5 speed. What are peoples favorites in terms of durability and shift linkage? Also, what vendors have people had good experience with? What ratios do people recommend? The car will have the standard Kirkham sourced differential (don't know ratio yet). The car will get general road use, occasional autocrossing, and rarely taken on the track.

Many thanks for any help folks can offer.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 04:12 PM
bnewell's Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Galion, OH
Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham 427FE (sold & missed)
Posts: 1,320
Not Ranked     
Default

Welcome Mark......Kirkhams are great cars....I sure miss mine. Not sure what my rear end ratio was (bought it used), but I wish it would have been a 5-speed.

Good luck,

B.
__________________
Brian Newell - Superformance Sales
Mansfield Motor Group
www.mmgauto.com
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 04:48 PM
CC Member / Sponsor
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Provo, UT
Cobra Make, Engine: Daytona Coupe
Posts: 1,359
Not Ranked     
Default

Mark glad to hear the news. We have had several customers convert from four speeds to five speeds. We have had a few customers change from the .64 to the .82 fifth gear, but we have never had anyone change out a .82 gear box. Most common comment after the conversion was: "why did I wait so long?"
__________________
Evolve Lubricants
https://evolvelube.com/
Cubic Performance

Last edited by Tom Kirkham; 12-07-2009 at 06:09 PM.. Reason: spelling
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 04:48 PM
twobjshelbys's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Cobra Make, Engine: Shelby CSX4005LA, Roush 427IR
Posts: 5,585
Not Ranked     
Default

4.54 rear end with a Tremec TKO600 with .82 5th.
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 06:37 PM
patrickt's Avatar
Half-Ass Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,005
Not Ranked     
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by twobjshelbys View Post
4.54 rear end with a Tremec TKO600 with .82 5th.
That's a typo, right?
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 06:50 PM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Cobra Make, Engine: kirkham stroker 48 webers
Posts: 83
Not Ranked     
Default

tko 600. the electronic speedo plugs right up to Kirkham Gauges I got mine from Standard Transmissions w/ short shaft already installed. 5th gear is nice on the
freeway.
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 07:41 PM
*13*'s Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA FIA, 1964 289->Webers
Posts: 3,689
Not Ranked     
Default

For nostalgia sake, I like the four speed. I do, however, find myself reaching for 5 quite often. What's important to you?
__________________
ERA FIA 2088
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 08:28 PM
twobjshelbys's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Cobra Make, Engine: Shelby CSX4005LA, Roush 427IR
Posts: 5,585
Not Ranked     
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickt View Post
That's a typo, right?
if you say so
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 08:29 PM
patrickt's Avatar
Half-Ass Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,005
Not Ranked     
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by twobjshelbys View Post
if you say so
You really have a 4.54 rear end?
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 08:32 PM
twobjshelbys's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Cobra Make, Engine: Shelby CSX4005LA, Roush 427IR
Posts: 5,585
Not Ranked     
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickt View Post
You really have a 4.54 rear end?
Yep, 3.54.

I do know some people with 4.10s, not exactly street or highway cars.
Reply With Quote
  #11 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 08:33 PM
patrickt's Avatar
Half-Ass Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,005
Not Ranked     
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by twobjshelbys View Post
Yep, 3.54.

I do know some people with 4.10s, not exactly street or highway cars.
Well, you had me going alright.
Reply With Quote
  #12 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 08:35 PM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 327
Not Ranked     
Default

get the 5 speed, you will love it on the freeway, you wont be all tached out.
Reply With Quote
  #13 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 08:48 PM
twobjshelbys's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Cobra Make, Engine: Shelby CSX4005LA, Roush 427IR
Posts: 5,585
Not Ranked     
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickt View Post
Well, you had me going alright.
Just so you know, this config is very torquey. I strongly discourage using the transmission downshifting to slow down. [They used to teach you that in drivers ed.] If you do it, for example, from 3rd to 2nd turning into an intersection, you might find a curios 540* effect in the middle. I've posted a "Transmission Go, Brakes Slow" sticky note on the windshield as a reminder.
Reply With Quote
  #14 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 09:06 PM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: cleveland, OH
Cobra Make, Engine: CSX4000, 427
Posts: 1,999
Not Ranked     
Default

The tremec TKO600 has the same gear ratio's as a wide ratio toploader, but an added overdrive.

With the 2.78 first, you can run a 3.07 rear (what I would recommend with a WR toploader), and have a respectable start-out, and have some cruising benefits.

With the TKO600, you can run the 3.54 rear, and still have a respectable cruising with the OD gear, or you can choose to run a 3.31 to 3.07 rear as well.

With a CR toploder, you pretty much run a 3.54 rear, maybe a 3.77. The gear spread is closer spaced, what I like better, and I don;t use it as a daily driver, so cruising in 4th is tolerable, as all of the muscle cars were back in the sixties. Most ran 3.55, 3.54, 3.73, or something like that, without OD, and using 14" tires. You don't necessarily need an OD, but it's nice. I'll keep my CR toploader.
__________________
"After jumping into an early lead, Miles pitted for no reason. He let the entire field go by before re-entering the race. The crowd was jumping up and down as he stunned the Chevrolet drivers by easily passing the entire field to finish second behind MacDonald's other team Cobra. The Corvette people were completely demoralized."
Reply With Quote
  #15 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 11:19 PM
Jamo's Avatar
Super Moderator
Visit my Photo Gallery
Lifetime Contributor
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Fresno, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: KMP 184/482ci Shelby
Posts: 14,445
Not Ranked     
Default

WR Toploader with a 3.31. Great for autocrossing (fewer shifts) and open track and not bad at cruising speeds.

Whatever you want...David Kee. The Kirkham(s) of transmissions (or are the Kirkhams the Kees of Cobras?)
__________________
Jamo
Reply With Quote
  #16 (permalink)  
Old 12-06-2009, 11:51 PM
RodKnock's Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Cobra Make, Engine: KMP 539, a Ton of Aluminum
Posts: 9,591
Not Ranked     
Default

The standard Kirkham rear end is 3.42. Get the 5-speed TKO600 with the 0.82 5th gear, best of the available choices. Buy from Fortes, or Brent from B2, both Club Cobra sponsors and nice guys.
Reply With Quote
  #17 (permalink)  
Old 12-07-2009, 12:00 PM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: May 2009
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 135
Not Ranked     
Default

The new standard Kirkham differential ratio is now 3.54. Before that it was the 3.42. There is not a lot of difference between the two.

I like the Tremec TKO 600 (purchased from Joe from Standard Transmission - http://www.standardtransmission.com ) They have been great.

I have the .82 OD, but if I had to do it again, I may change to the .64 OD. I am rarely on the highway and so I rarely use 5th gear as it is (engine likes 2000 RPM and higher due to big cam).

But when I am on the highway, it would be nice to drop the RPM's a little more than the .82 provides. But I think it's a risk, a .55 or so would be perfect in my opinion, but it is not an option.

That being said, I am not spending the money to convert to .64 OD (I was quoted ~$600) since I have doubts that it would be too low a ratio.

Hope that helps.

ps. I made a chart with the different ratios. I could not attach it for some reason, but email me if you want to see it.

Last edited by pusherfans; 12-07-2009 at 12:27 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #18 (permalink)  
Old 12-07-2009, 12:21 PM
RodKnock's Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Cobra Make, Engine: KMP 539, a Ton of Aluminum
Posts: 9,591
Not Ranked     
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pusherfans View Post
The new standard Kirkham differential ratio is now 3.54. Before that it was the 3.42. There is not a lot of difference between the two.
First, bummer. 20/20 hindsight, and I know there's little difference between the 3.42's and the 3.54's, I would prefer the 3.54's. My car feels like it wants more gear, probably because of the cam. At around 70-75 MPH, my car wants just a tad more gear. 2,000-2,200 RPM is works great, but I wouldn't mind being a couple hundred RPM higher.

I like my 3.42's with the 0.82 5th gear. I would NOT like the drop in RPM's, if I had gone to the 0.64.
Reply With Quote
  #19 (permalink)  
Old 12-07-2009, 12:23 PM
FatBoy's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Leicestershire, UK
Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham #523, 427 S/O
Posts: 1,137
Not Ranked     
Default

I have a CR Toploader with a 2.88 rear end and I'm happy with it.

80mph is around 3,000 rpm.

Paul
Reply With Quote
  #20 (permalink)  
Old 12-07-2009, 12:44 PM
dcdoug's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bethesda, MD
Cobra Make, Engine: CSX 6022, navy blue, period correct 427 SO
Posts: 2,154
Not Ranked     
Default

I have a TKO 600 with a .82 OD and a 3.31 rear end and am very happy with it.
__________________
“There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.”

www.partskeeper.com
(Less time searching, more time wrenching & driving)
Reply With Quote
Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:38 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
The representations expressed are the representations and opinions of the clubcobra.com forum members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the site owners, moderators, Shelby American, any other replica manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. This website has been planned and developed by clubcobra.com and its forum members and should not be construed as being endorsed by Ford Motor Company, or Shelby American or any other manufacturer unless expressly noted by that entity. "Cobra" and the Cobra logo are registered trademarks for Ford Motor Co., Inc. clubcobra.com forum members agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyrighted material is owned by you. Although we do not and cannot review the messages posted and are not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we reserve the right to delete any message for any reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). Thank you for visiting clubcobra.com. For full policy documentation refer to the following link: CC Policy