I have a rebuilt 4 speed currently and want to do more highway driving, is ot better to just add a gear venders unit ($about 3k) or buy a new TKO (6k with new driveshaft) or wait for the passion 5 speed?. What does everyone here who has the different options recommend?
If you got a good running car with a four speed in it, why mess with it....I think I would try the gear vendors unit :dunno: I'm not sure what's involved, but isn't it pretty much a "bolt in" ?
Unless something has significantly changed recently, if you get on the waitlist for a Passon unit now, you will probably be waiting 5-7 years for it to arrive.
However, Tremac also offers the TKX unit now. I think we have a couple members working on installing this unit.
GV units are bulletproof and proven.
Quote from: HP2 on November 24, 2022, 08:17:24 AM
Unless something has significantly changed recently, if you get on the waitlist for a Passon unit now, you will probably be waiting 5-7 years for it to arrive.
:haha: :haha: :haha:
I meant TKX, not TKO. Didn't realize passion was still so far out.
Passion is not the only one selling the A855 Hemi 5 speed.
This place is listing the E body A855 as available...not cheap but this would be my choice as it's a direct bolt in and is the strongest, best shifting 5 speed available. :alan2cents:
http://www.5speedmuscle.com/store/p22/Mopar_A855_E_Body.html
I would love an A855, says 1 available for big retainer size but looks like price has gone up to $7,000! :wowzers:
http://www.5speedmuscle.com/store/p22/Mopar_A855_E_Body.html
Quote from: Fern on November 24, 2022, 08:06:45 AM
I have a rebuilt 4 speed currently and want to do more highway driving, is ot better to just add a gear venders unit ($about 3k) or buy a new TKO (6k with new driveshaft) or wait for the passion 5 speed?. What does everyone here who has the different options recommend?
If it were me...I'd go gear vendors. Years of proven reliability. The others may be reliable as well but will take a few years to be proven.
Quote from: torredcuda on November 24, 2022, 08:40:18 AM
I would love an A855, says 1 available for big retainer size but looks like price has gone up to $7,000! :wowzers:
http://www.5speedmuscle.com/store/p22/Mopar_A855_E_Body.html
Is there a way of determining the retainer size without removing trans?
Quote from: anlauto on November 24, 2022, 08:14:20 AM
If you got a good running car with a four speed in it, why mess with it....I think I would try the gear vendors unit :dunno: I'm not sure what's involved, but isn't it pretty much a "bolt in" ?
I believe the GV adapter replaces the stock output housing, so the trans does require some disassembly. Not exactly bolt on, but not as involved as getting into the trans case.
Quote from: GrandpaKevin on November 24, 2022, 08:36:12 AM
Passion is not the only one selling the A855 Hemi 5 speed.
This place is listing the E body A855 as available...not cheap but this would be my choice as it's a direct bolt in and is the strongest, best shifting 5 speed available. :alan2cents:
http://www.5speedmuscle.com/store/p22/Mopar_A855_E_Body.html
Interesting. Sounds like a partnership with Passon to tool up to higher production volume. Jamie had refused to go this route for years as he was afraid of compromises in quality. This would definitely be a good thing as I can recall the discussions around this transmission's development way back in the '00s. If they can produce a volume that will actually put them on the shelf, it maybe a nice option to have if an OEM look and fit are a priority. Perhaps the wait list will drop to a year or two.
Quote from: Fern on November 25, 2022, 07:19:23 AM
Quote from: torredcuda on November 24, 2022, 08:40:18 AM
I would love an A855, says 1 available for big retainer size but looks like price has gone up to $7,000! :wowzers:
http://www.5speedmuscle.com/store/p22/Mopar_A855_E_Body.html
Is there a way of determining the retainer size without removing trans?
Hmmm, year of manufacture perhaps? I think there was a date cut-over then larger retainers started being used. If you can ID the vin number on the case and relate that to a car and it's date of manufacture.
Of course, on a regular A833, you could just swap the retainer to match your bell housing. OEM retainers are out there for around $80. Not sure if the A855 works the same way, but a new billet retainer for the A833 is under $200. A conversation with the 5SR guys when buying could explore the option of swapping retainers to match your bell, I would think.
"Is it better" is going to entirely depend on you and what your needs are.
I went TKX because I do a lot of interstate driving, am putting in a Gen 3 Hemi, and also wanted a hydraulic clutch. I'm rebuilding the rear end and needed a new driveshaft anyway so it made sense for me to get one of these rather than rebuild the stock 833 and put a gear vendors unit in. I also didn't care about originality even though I'm not modifying anything that can't be undone at some point.
If you're just wanting more gears and want to stay relatively stock, in my opinion, I think you're best served with a gear vendors unit. I couldn't justify the cost of a whole new transmission over bolting on the GV unit.
i have passion 4 speed hemi overdrive. i waited almost a year.
Quote from: cha74ngr on December 17, 2022, 01:02:29 PM
i have passion 4 speed hemi overdrive. i waited almost a year.
I'm doing a Demon right now and the owner waited for ever for a Passon 4 speed overdrive, only because he thought the wait for the Passon 5 speed was going to be too long :haha:
I've done several conversions, except the 855. You can't depend on getting one of those so you might as well not consider it. The first I did was a Tremec. It has been a pain in the a$$ ever since the install. Terrible ratio, can't shift it, etc. I've done two installs of the Passon hemi od gears. The spread is too wide. They make some noise and he's had trouble with the manufacturer. I could not get the last set to even fit. Tolerances were way to tight. So I've been going with the Gear vendor. Great piece and the customers love them. No complains from anyone on these.
I have the TKO-600 5-speed. 5 years and 11,000 miles and no issues at all. The car is a lot of fun to drive and great on the highway.
Quote from: 70rag383 on December 19, 2022, 05:43:36 AM
I have the TKO-600 5-speed. 5 years and 11,000 miles and no issues at all. The car is a lot of fun to drive and great on the highway.
11000 miles :clapping: I can't believe it....Back when I built it, I know you said you wanted to drive it.....but that's an awesome amount of driving right there.....oh....your warrantee is up :haha: :haha:
Quote from: anlauto on December 19, 2022, 06:09:59 AM
Quote from: 70rag383 on December 19, 2022, 05:43:36 AM
I have the TKO-600 5-speed. 5 years and 11,000 miles and no issues at all. The car is a lot of fun to drive and great on the highway.
11000 miles :clapping: I can't believe it....Back when I built it, I know you said you wanted to drive it.....but that's an awesome amount of driving right there.....oh....your warrantee is up :haha: :haha:
I remember the conversation very well. A lot of people are surprised how much I drive the car. I didn't meet too many guys at Carlisle who actually drove their cars from home and I drove from Toronto. :canada: I was thinking, is there something wrong with me? Looking forward to next July when I will drive to Carlisle again. Maybe the Hot Rod Power Tour too. Probably going to need A/C installed.
Wow you got a TKO that shifts well? It's a unicorn!
I had a TKO-600 and even with a dialed in bell housing (within .003) and proper air gap on the clutch disc, it simply would not shift over 3500 rpm. I'd run it up in 1st gear, stab the clutch, then have to hold the shifter against the 2nd gear gate until RPM dropped and it would fall into gear.
Shifted great just casually driving though, I will say that. Like butter. smooth, effortless, didn't even need the clutch driving around town.
I plan to drive mine a lot too once it's finished. Gen 3 hemi, TKX, aftermarket AC modern Brembo disc brakes...it'll be like a brand new car I hope!
https://www.facebook.com/HUMBLEPERFORMANCE/videos/3594730223965888
I thought about a TKO or even a TKX but I don't think they're capable of shifting they way I shift my Hemi 4 speed.....
Maybe someday I'll try the A855.
Quote from: Filthy Filbert on December 20, 2022, 08:33:07 AM
Wow you got a TKO that shifts well? It's a unicorn!
I had a TKO-600 and even with a dialed in bell housing (within .003) and proper air gap on the clutch disc, it simply would not shift over 3500 rpm. I'd run it up in 1st gear, stab the clutch, then have to hold the shifter against the 2nd gear gate until RPM dropped and it would fall into gear.
Shifted great just casually driving though, I will say that. Like butter. smooth, effortless, didn't even need the clutch driving around town.
I plan to drive mine a lot too once it's finished. Gen 3 hemi, TKX, aftermarket AC modern Brembo disc brakes...it'll be like a brand new car I hope!
No issues at all with my TKO-600. Most of the time I drive it pretty easy but when I let it go I've never had a problem with high RPM shifting. Very reliable, goes into gear especially the infamous 2-3 shift which some guys complain about. Must have been all that practicing I did in the driveway! :veryexcited:
Good luck with your build, sounds like a nice one. Post some pics here on the site.
I'm not sure what this transmission is called that we took out of this hemi Charger, but it was one of the first five speeds that were offered to swap into a Mopar. All I know it as is a Tremec. I know it's a Ford a transmission. It's had about $7500 invested in it to make it survive/shift in a 660 HP motor. It could be bought cheap. It's had special work done to the gears for street racing but it grinds like a truck trans if you don't shift it right. We'll be lucky to get $500 for it AND the scatter shield.
Quote from: Fastmark on December 21, 2022, 04:11:09 AM
I'm not sure what this transmission is called that we took out of this hemi Charger, but it was one of the first five speeds that were offered to swap into a Mopar. All I know it as is a Tremec. I know it's a Ford a transmission. It's had about $7500 invested in it to make it survive/shift in a 660 HP motor. It could be bought cheap. It's had special work done to the gears for street racing but it grinds like a truck trans if you don't shift it right. We'll be lucky to get $500 for it AND the scatter shield.
Sounds like the 3550, which was a predecessor to the TKO.
Quote from: 70rag383 on December 20, 2022, 07:51:42 PM
Good luck with your build, sounds like a nice one. Post some pics here on the site.
Thanks. Current build thread is posted in the projects section. "St Louis Blues Cuda"
Quote from: Fastmark on December 21, 2022, 04:11:09 AM
I'm not sure what this transmission is called that we took out of this hemi Charger, but it was one of the first five speeds that were offered to swap into a Mopar. All I know it as is a Tremec. I know it's a Ford a transmission. It's had about $7500 invested in it to make it survive/shift in a 660 HP motor. It could be bought cheap. It's had special work done to the gears for street racing but it grinds like a truck trans if you don't shift it right. We'll be lucky to get $500 for it AND the scatter shield.
I'd like to find a Ford T-56 like that. I have a SBM bell just waiting for one of those.