Question about race transmissions

[Black Box GN]

Hey folks,
I'm in the stages of planning my next Camaro project, a '77 Type LT. I've been thinking about what I'm gonna do for drivetrain, and I pretty much have it planned that the car is going to have a 427 Procharged & Intercooled SB or a modified crate 502 BB. Either way, its gonna put out well over 700HP & 700lbs/ft.

This isn't gonna be a race car. More of a balls-out street car, but it will certainly see time on the track with slicks. I've had automatics all my life and I refuse to put one in this car. I do have a concern with what kind of trans I can use to harness that much power without shattering it. I've read all I can about T56's, but I really don't want to go spending all that money and end up breaking it when I powershift the snot out of it.

I am seriously leaning towards the G-Force clutch-assisted GF-5R or Lenco ST1200 5-speed. Anyone have experience running one of these? I'm hesitant to ask about streetability because I have a pretty distinct feeling that they aren't that streetable, but I figured I'd ask. With that said, I'm not worried about how nasty they are to drive, since the car isn't even going to be close to a daily driver.

I've researched both the G-force and the Lenco on the web, and a friend of mine with a '68 Camaro spoke with a tech rep at Lenco and he got some good info about the operation of the ST1200.

What I'm looking for is some input from real-world users. Anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks!
Steve

[1viadrft]

Ummm... wrong forum?

[Black Box GN]

This is the Drag Racing Forum, and Lencos and GF-5R's are mostly intended for drag racing....so, no.

[big1]

The "LENCO" is a very strong transmission, but be prepared to make some major change's in the drivetrain. These transmission's are very long.
You might consider a "Jerico" 4sp or 5sp. The 5sp is long as well, but the 4sp is close to the average length of most factory tranny's.Both are very strong.There's a fella at my local track running one in a 67 Fairlane station wagon with a 427FE engine and he's had no problem's with it in 6yr's of thrashing.

[Black Box GN]

Thanks bud, I appreciate the input.

I did consider the Jerico, but it looks a little more pricey than the clutch assisted GF-5R. No doubt they are stout units though.

Thanks,
Steve

[big1]

What do you have against automatic's ? A 700R4 could be modified to suit your need's. It's true that you'd lose the fun of shifting thou.

[Black Box GN]

I'm just completely tired of automatics. Never had a car with a stick before. Driven plenty of 'em, but never owned one. Not in my hot rods, or even my daily drivers! I just think its time for a change, and with the power I want to make (now 800-1000 HP) an M22 or even a T56 just won't do.

Steve

[big1]

Understood

[GTStang]

Any dealings I have had with trannies that need to stand up to those type of hp/torque numbers on a drag car it has always come to a Jerico tranny. I know they cost uber bucks after the clutch system is all set-up etc.., But they are friggin indestructable and I would never use anything else in that type of application.

[big1]

Personally I've used both manual and automatic for drag racing, and I've got to say that with a "Transbrake" I'd rather use the automatic.
I'm now running a C4 in my car and going consistent 6.70's