Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Streak 21
My syncros for 3rd gear are shot. Shifting in and out of 3rd gear creates nasty grinding sounds. I figure the higher torque of the 347 motor (425 ft-lbs) caused the tranny to give up the ghost.
So its time for either a rebuild or buy a new tranny. What does the forum think of the following options. Should I rebuild the TR-3550 for $2000 or purchase a new TKO 600 unit for about the same price? Other more expensive options include upgrading to a Jerico tranny and multi-plate clutch or to change the current 3550 into a dog ring tranny. The cost of the Jerico system is $11,000, and the dog ring option is roughly $3000.
What have you guys done with the most success? Please share your experiences. Thanks.
Jerry
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Jerry,
I used a Long shifted Jerico 4 speed with a tripple plate Tilton clutch in my last race car. This was an amazing setup to use in comparison to the synchro box that I had in the car prior to fitment of the Jerico or for that matter the current setup in my Panoz. I stripped the Jerico prior to fitment and was really impressed with the engineering in the box, particularly the fool proof shifter arrangement that prevents selection of more than 1 gear set at a time (yes, apparently this can happen in some synchro boxes).
This combo dropped lap times in my old car by around .5 - .75 of a second a lap through a combination of lower clutch rotating mass (down from around 45lbs to approx 20lbs) and speed of gearchanging.
If I had the cash, personally I would go for the Tilton/Jerico setup for my Panoz hands down. Problem is this is a large chunk of cash to spend for the benefits offered.
I have just bought a forged 347 shortblock for my car (2nd hand out of States via E Bay) and as part of installation I will be fitting a button flywheel and Tilton tripple plate but will retain the Tremec 5 speed.
A couple of things to think about regards dog ring boxes and tripple plate clutches;
1. Dog ring boxes will select what ever gear you shift to no matter what speed you are doing. If you get it wrong the consequences can be expensive............
2. Dog ring boxes need to be shifted really positively. You cant baby shifts or the dogs get a thrashing and this can cost money to feed (no pun intended).
3. Tripple plate clutches are not shed/trailer/pits friendly. They are often like a switch........they are in or out. This can make the car harder to manage off track and can be harder on engine and trans mounts, driveshaft uni's, bellhousing etc etc. The shock loading of engagement can = more fatigue.
If you get a dog ring box and tripple plate well set up though, there is nothing to equal them on track regards sheer driving enjoyment.
Happy shopping, Kel.