shifter location help

[jojoegen]

Hi my friends,I'm having a real hard time chosing where to mount the shifter on a TKO 600.I don't have the car yet .I love the bent type hurst flat shaft like shorter version of what we use to drive on muscle cars but I don't know what position it needs to be on the trans forward or middle.If anyone can show me pictures of there setup,I would reeeeeally appreciate it.I stay awake at night trying to picture it.I don't like the original cobra type bent forward.I need pix and expierence.Talked to the trans person and he said try the forum.Pictures,pictures and more pictures.Thank you for all the past help.I'm excited Johnny G

[Ant]

jojoegen,

I know the feeling, trying to plan without all the critical pathways sorted, what sort of cobra are you buying, and all the other factors - engine position etc!
In my opinion a bent back muscle car shifter wouldn't look right at all on a Cobra Roadster, I think it will end up either straight or bent forward, unless on the Tremec you move the shifter to the most forward location possible.
Transmission type and location dictated why the shifters were bent forward with the Toploader transmission in original cars.

The most important criteria for me is driving position, as the cobra doesnt have the most ergonomic cockpit, especially leg room, and thought needs to be put into having the seat behind the steering wheel, and secondly having the steering wheel at the optimum height and distance from the driver!

Good Luck!

[jojoegen]

Hi AJ,It is a shell valley with a 427BB I don't mind a straight ,short flat shaft hurst as long as it's cumfortable and not at the middle of my thigh.I try to sit in a chair but that doesn't helpI also saw a ford looking short shifter with a fake lockout I believe from finish line which is cool.Just want it natural feeling ya know? Jojoegen

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Hears my take on the subject. I have a 427 ERA Cobra with a Ford Galaxie toploader. The shifter I used is a 289 Cobra straight unit due to the 4" longer tailshaft. I actually like this position better than the usual rearward mounted shifter. The guy who rebuilt my toploader said he'd rebuilt a toploader in an original 427 Cobra that had this same style trans.

[Pete Munroe]

I have some photos of installing a mid-position shifter kit on my Tremec TKO.

Go to the members section look up my photos under Pete Munroe. Actually try this link you can go straight to the photos...(hope this link works).

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...=16012&cat=500

I was using the straight shifter in my ERA 289 FIA car, but the rearmost position was way too close to use comfortably. The new shifter from Mike Forte mounts in the "front half" of the rear-most opening on the trans. Almost as if you took the old one and rotated it 180 degrees.

The kit moved the shifter forward about 3"...ends up almost exactly in the position of a stock AC 289 with TOPLOADER and stubby-straight shifter. Much more comfortable and easier to shift.

Do not know where the Tremec 600 trans mounts the shifter as delivered...but there are 4 possible locations on the TKO, so whether you use the rear, mid or front port and then a straight lever or the longer angled shifter, lots of possibilities.

I have lots of photos of the installation process of Forte's shifter kit if you need to get an idea of the process.

If you already knew where you wanted it, order the trans that way and save yourself a lot trouble.

Originally Posted by jojoegen

Hi my friends,I'm having a real hard time chosing where to mount the shifter on a TKO 600.I don't have the car yet .I love the bent type hurst flat shaft like shorter version of what we use to drive on muscle cars but I don't know what position it needs to be on the trans forward or middle.If anyone can show me pictures of there setup,I would reeeeeally appreciate it.I stay awake at night trying to picture it.I don't like the original cobra type bent forward.I need pix and expierence.Talked to the trans person and he said try the forum.Pictures,pictures and more pictures.Thank you for all the past help.I'm excited Johnny G

[DonC]

Johnny:
My setup is a 427 ERA with a TKO600 and the shifter is in the rearmost position. At that location it puts the shift knob even with the steering wheel rim in neutral and I've found that position to be very comfortable over the past 30,000 miles. It also provides a good resting place for my right arm on long hauls.


DonC

[jojoegen]

Hey Pete,Zoera and Don,Thanks for the response.Pete's setup is what I'm looking for.Don,why do you like that angle forward?I drove one ,it seemed weired to me.Kept wanting to follow the shifter angle instead of the "H" pattern .Pete,I guess I need to really have the shifter stub come out even with the steering wheel ,is that what I'm getting from the pic.

[Pete Munroe]

Jo,

According to the ERA 289 FIA manual the Tremec TKO and T-5 stock shifter stub is about 19.5" from the front of the transmission. A stock Toploader stub would be at about 17.8" back from the front of the trans.

The new shifter turret from Mike Forte moved the shifter forward about 2.8"...now about 1.5" ahead of a stock 289" Cobra Toploader location.

I assume the 600 is the same, but you would have to verify this.

http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English...ts/TKO.asp#Car

Just looked at my car and the shifter is maybe 1 inch behind the steering wheel...keep in mind on the ERA cars the steering column can be moved in/out for adjustment.

Originally the "bent forward shifter" came with the 427" Cobra's, the "straight" shifter was used on the 289" cars...

I THINK the either the 427 engine/trans/tailstock is longer or set back compared to the 289" and the forward shifter was needed to keep the driver from being crammed by the shift lever too far to the rear.

The "bent forward shifter" is actually a normal Mustang shifter turned around. It gets the shifter knob forward, and I find it awkward also...but you get used to it.

I am going to try to post a photo of the steering wheel/shifter in my album as I can never get the pixel count low enough to post at CC...here is a photo in the normal "worthless" postage stamp size.

Ask the guys at Shell valley for some reference points on shifter/seat/steering wheel/pedal locations...possibly from some fixed spot like the rear of the engine block or front of the transmission.

Whether or not it "looks" original, you should be able to get the shifter of your choice in about the best spot for your comfort.

Pete

Originally Posted by jojoegen

Hey Pete,Zoera and Don,Thanks for the response.Pete's setup is what I'm looking for.Don,why do you like that angle forward?I drove one ,it seemed weired to me.Kept wanting to follow the shifter angle instead of the "H" pattern .Pete,I guess I need to really have the shifter stub come out even with the steering wheel ,is that what I'm getting from the pic.

[jojoegen]

Pete,That's almost or is exactly what I'm looking for and the same handle but yours isn't in the mid position on the trans is it? I thought the mid position was the brass plate in front of your shifter per your pictures from the gallery.Now if I can only find someone that has the tremec 600 and can tell me what position on the tremec to use to put the straight shifter even with the steering wheel I think I'll have my answer. Does anyone know? Johnny G

[Pete Munroe]

Jo,

Tremec says at their web site there are 8 possible locations for the shifter-turret! If you add in the different shift levers you could bolt on...anything is possible.

FWIW I call the inspection ports rear, mid and front...my Forte shifter-turret is in the FRONT HALF of the REAR port.

You may have the terminology correct...here is the Tremec factory Mid shifter web page...

http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English...080107_133.pdf

The link is to the Tremec page showing a shifter in the MID inspection port...looks to be another 3"+ ahead of my installation...from what you have said that is what you are looking for...if it is TOO far forward, you can probably find a lever with a small bend backwards...the "60's classic muscle car" shifter you wanted.

Better check with Shell Valley to be sure there isn't an interference in some of the dash/tunnel structure in that position.

Get some seat time in a 427" with the forward shifter...after a couple hours it may not be an issue...what ever you are used.

If at all possible, order the trans with the shifter you want from Tremec or if not install a turret kit while the trans is OUT of the car and NO LUBE...it is a little involved to change it while in the car...

http://www.fortesparts.com/

If you want more photos, send me your e-mail in a "private message"...I tried to send photos in a private e-mail but it doesn't support that...I must be at the limit at my CC photo album as I couldn't add but one photo there.

Before I ordered my car, I went to Cobra Club track events and got lots of books...the more I learned what looks original and appropriate for a accurate replica of a 427" or a 289"...here is the ERA page on the differences between a 289/427...not just the engine, they are really different cars.

http://www.erareplicas.com/differ/index.htm

I tend to lean towards accuracy in terms of appearance for the Cobra's, but if the car is impossible for you to sit in and drive whats the point?

Pete

Originally Posted by jojoegen

Pete,That's almost or is exactly what I'm looking for and the same handle but yours isn't in the mid position on the trans is it? I thought the mid position was the brass plate in front of your shifter per your pictures from the gallery.Now if I can only find someone that has the tremec 600 and can tell me what position on the tremec to use to put the straight shifter even with the steering wheel I think I'll have my answer. Does anyone know? Johnny G

[jojoegen]

Thanx Pete I'll PM ya..Jojoe

[round_midnight]

I have a TKO600 in my Backdraft. I had the shifter moved to the mid position. For me, the position is perfect. There's a photo of it in my gallery. Here's a link:

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...hp?photo=46858

I paid someone to move it, but later found the instructions on the Tremec site and realized I could have done it myself without too much trouble.

[jojoegen]

Thanx round,Is this in the middle brassie looking inspection plate or is it in the forward part of the rear plate? Jojoe

[round_midnight]

It's in the middle inspection plate. Here's a link to the manual for the conversion kit:
http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English...080107_133.pdf

[Ronbo]

Kirkham sells a straight shifter shaft that replaces the "nub". Just flip the plate to the forward position. You will need a hydraulic press to get that cross pin out of the old shifter.

Only one proper way to have a shifter handle, straight up.

Here's the details in the Kirkham manual thread: Kirkham Motorsports Assembly Manual (Scroll to the bottom)