Norm Peterson
corner barstool sitter
It's encouraging to have read just this far - your review is pretty much what I'd expected, but it's better and means more when it comes unsolicited.Took on a new project and thought I’d share it. Never thought I’d go this route but but just saying that doesn’t really surprise me.
This is what I ended up buying and most of this comes in a kit which is the route I went:
Tremec Magnum XL transmission (duh)
First gear choice of 2.66 and opted for the 5th and 6th OD gears of the 2.97 trans which gives me in order of 1st to 6th, 2.66/1.78/1.30/1.00/.80/.63
Quick Time steel sfi bell housing
QA1 carbon fiber driveshaft with sfi (upgrade)
Bowler all-in-one harness for electronic connections
Rest of the kit included fluids, transmission mount, cross brace and mounting hardware
Also added the MGW shifter since I really appreciated what it did for the MT82
I cannot say enough about the transmission. I absolutely LOVE the gears I chose granted I’m in the break in phase and not shifting over 4000 rpm for the most part but again, this is how the car will be driven most of the time. First and second gear are so much more useful and enjoyable to use. Fourth gear (1.30) in the MT82 was one of my most favorite gears to play in and also was a factor in choosing the magnum gear selection I did because third gear in this set is also 1.30 which made it perfect. 4th is now the 1:1 gear which I like and the two OD gears are gapped perfectly unlike our 5th to 6th is in the 15-17 MT82. I will say it is weird downshifting to 1st gear around corners in residential/commercial zones but it’s easy, called for and works like any other gear you’d be used to using normally. Hell, I’m still learning what gear to be in based on muscle memory of where the shifter used to be. I really couldn’t be happier with how this all works together and with the stock 3:73.
I'm looking to do the same swap with the same gearing for my 4.6L S197. 4 to 5 in that transmission is just as bad as 5 to 6 in the original MT82 gearset, and there are other times where I'd like to see 1st be worth a few more mph.
Looks like there's way more in here than I'll be able to take in in a single sitting, some of which I still expect to get some benefit from.
Thanks.
Norm
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