Toploader for Hi-Tech 289

Andy FIA · #1 (**permalink**) 05-12-2003, 04:05 PM

I have finally decided to ditch the Tremec in my FIA and give the car the Toploader that it should have had in the first place. This descision is due to a combination of things including: Non originality of gearbox and none standard Cobra parts, poor Tremec gear ratios, poor gearbox to chassis / park brake clearance and disapointing gear change.

Which is the prefered model and length of toploader to install in a Cobra MKII 289 for the street? Looking at the tailshaft charts and shifter position options, it looks to me like I should be installing a box with a DKT 14" tailshaft housing?? and which shifter puts the gear lever in the best position (Hurst and none Hurst)
Is the Tiger HEH-E 25 1/2" box a good option? it looks like the shifter is in the right position and my existing drive shaft length would be about right.

Note that my Hi-Tech has the 9" Ford centre section converted to IRS, so the drive shaft I am using maybe of slightly different length to standard Cobra 289.

Andy sugestions welcome

Andy

Tongue Pirate · #2 (**permalink**) 05-12-2003, 04:45 PM

Give David a call...
http://www.4speedtoploaders.com/

For street most people will recomend a wide ratio. There are a few different tailhousings with different linkage mounting positions. I was thinking of trying to find one myself but have decided to go with a David Kee rebuild due to all of the positive response from everyone here & the fact that I will not have any worries. Just bolt up & go!

Sheppard · #3 (**permalink**) 05-12-2003, 05:05 PM

The Mustang and Fairlane boxes are actually shorter at 24 inches....there are a couple of tail shaft housing that put the shifter right in the middle of the tailshaft housing.....course you could always fabricate a bracket to move the shifter forward from the common mount at the very tail end of the shaft housing.....

JAY

Andy FIA · #4 (**permalink**) 05-12-2003, 07:17 PM

TP
I have been considering a complete unit from Dave Kee but the shipping cost and tax might be considerable for a 120lb toploader. I am also looking at buying a core over here and sourcing new internals from the US. Certainly, wide ratio is my preference at present, with the existing 3.5 final drive ratio.

JAY
I haven't found a drawing but can I assume that the toploader case is around 10" long? if so I need a short tailshaft housing with the shifter towards the front to match the position of the Tremec shifter, which is on the centre plate position.

Andy

Bob Putnam · #5 (**permalink**) 05-13-2003, 05:05 AM

In the FWIW mode - the original 289 gearbox was a Borg Warner (T-10, I think), not a Top-loader.

Andy FIA · #6 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 11:09 PM

Bob,

I actually bought an excellent close ratio T10 before the car was finished but sold it because I was worried about fuel economy.

Andy

XXQQQME · #7 (**permalink**) 05-21-2003, 11:35 AM

Andy,
Try this link:
www.toploadertransmissions.com/
I have a Dan Wiliams TopLoader in my West Coast Cobra. Very tough reliable etc. Bought the tranny and shifter as package. Had it delivered to the house (Michigan) from Pennsicola, FL.
If I remember correctly, it was about $1,600 or so delivered. I understand that the TopLoader & 9" rear end is a "bullet proof" combo. Also, the shifter included the "bent" shift arm, boot and chrome trim ring. I had to fabricate a special block/bracket to get the arm in right position.

Good Luck!

Andy FIA · #8 (**permalink**) 05-21-2003, 01:24 PM

I may have located a toploader in the UK, so hopefully I will only need parts from the US. For UPS to ship a complete trans to the UK is between $600 and $800 by air! Hopefully bits are cheaper.

Andy

Ant · #9 (**permalink**) 05-24-2003, 10:03 PM

Andy

Why not use a Super T10, from what I can gather they are better shifting, lighter and will handle everything a 4.7 litre can throw at it!

I reckon your 3.5 final drive ratio is okay for a 4 speed, for sprint type racing, but I am going to use either 3.27 or 3.08 final drive, and will need the fifth gear to avoid changing ratios.

Ant

Tom Kirkham · #10 (**permalink**) 05-25-2003, 01:07 AM

The toploader out of a Galaxie is a direct replacement for the very rare (read $$$) and fragile aluminum case T-10. Almost all the original Cobras being vintage raced are running toploader transmissions. The Galaxie gear box has the shifter in the correct position and is much further forward than the other gear boxes. The Mustang gear box used in the 427 Cobra has the shifter on the end of the tail housing. The Galaxie transmission shifter is at the very front of the tail housing. Depending on what gear you have in the differential will determine whether you want a close ratio or wide ratio gear set. If your gear ratio is a 3.31 or smaller numerically you will need to run a wide ratio gear box (otherwise you will have problems with your clutch) If you are running a 3.54 either gear set will work. And if you are runnnig a 3.73 or bigger numbers you will want a close ratio. The wide ratio gear boxes with long gears work very well on the street. For racing big gears and close ratio gear boxes are normally what are used.
Hope this helps,
Tom

csx700? · #11 (**permalink**) 05-25-2003, 10:41 AM

tom
which top loader configuration would you recommend for your kirkham 289 fia cars?

Andy FIA · #12 (**permalink**) 05-25-2003, 03:37 PM

Tom,
More good info on the final drive ratio's, at present I am looking towards fitting a wide ratio. In order to fit the Tremec in the MKII chassis, Hi-Tech pushed the engine and trans forward slightly which has resulted in poor clearance between the RH header and the steering shaft, and also I think the engine has been raised slightly as well. I am hoping to move the engine back to where it should be with a toploader fitted, and also the drive shaft angle should be improved.
What do you guys use for 289 engine mounts in your FIA's as I have been unable to source Cobra mounts from anywhere? (mine are Mustang mounts with a spacer block) Also could you tell me the length of a Cobra 289 drive shaft measured between the centres of the UJ's.

Andy

Tom Kirkham · #13 (**permalink**) 05-25-2003, 08:50 PM

CSX 700?
I would recomend the Galaxie becouse it put the shifter in the right place. I am not sure if SAI modifies are tranny mount.

Tom Kirkham · #14 (**permalink**) 05-25-2003, 08:58 PM

The original engine mounts are from David Wagner in Detriot MI. He is a dealer for SAI and I belive also from CAV. The 289 driveline is very short. I would have it made after you get the engine and tranny installed. The bottom of the oil pan should be flush with the bottom of the frame rails. This will require cutting on your scattershield by the starter to clear the frame rail. Also it is important to keep the axis of rotation of the engine and the axis of rotation of the diff parallel. They shold not be perfectly in line.