So what did you think about it? I'm thinking of trading my 3 speed manual valvebodied c4 auto for a tremec 5 speed to get the overdrive. 1 and 5 are still synchro'd but 2,3,4 are faceplated.
Registered: 10/09/02
Posts: 6364
Loc: Milwaukee, WI
Well, as far as daily driving a crash box for my regular/drive to work car, I wouldn't; you'd be better off just putting up with non-OD c4. As my "once in a while car" like the valiant, it wouldn't be that bad...though when I had the choice, I stuck with regular dog collars and synchros. Take a little more skill/knowledge imo...strikes one as being hardcore. Wouldn't let most my friends give it a try, that's for sure. It always felt like you were lucky to catch a gear...though I did every time. I can clutchless shift pretty good, so driving a crash box was a bit easier than clutchless shifting...matching rpm's wasn't too bad on the occassion I needed to.
imo, if you're someone who really likes to just drive, and only rarely race, just find a non-faceplated tremec and go with that...or maybe invest in rebuilding the trans you purchase to stock/ with synchros and all.
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Registered: 07/14/00
Posts: 12783
Loc: Maryland USA
Its not a good idea and I like harsh shit.
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the dodge is a drag strip monster, and a hell of a good one at that.” -Rex B16, June 11 2024
I think everyones talked me out of it. I'm thinking of just putting in a larger converter and seeing how the mileage goes from there. Should be a cheaper swap before I have to either trade for a synchro'd 5/6 speed or sell it and buy one.
Can't really go more than 45 on the way to work anyway, so as long as I keep my foot out of it, should be able to make substantial improvements with the converter.
P.S. I just thought those were called "Motor Plates" Or a "Mid Plate" for the other ones
Registered: 05/07/01
Posts: 32535
Loc: Lisle, IL formerly Kalamazoo, ...
I've driven a couple different dog box DSMs and a dog box Evo. They were a little weird but the owners who had them for ages said that they were not an issue once you're used to it and they wouldn't hesitate to daily them (though they didn't because of other considerations).
Straight cut gears are a non-issue except for the whine they have.
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95 maxima 11.7 @ 123mph - stock 3.0L tuned by me on 93octane 12.9 @ 104mph - stock 3.5L w/ bolt ons
Registered: 05/07/01
Posts: 32535
Loc: Lisle, IL formerly Kalamazoo, ...
That said you wouldn't want to let a manual transmission noob drive your dog box. The longevity of the dogs has a lot to do with their design. I've seen dog boxes with dogs that are pretty badly worn and need replacement and others that have very little wear after lots of miles.
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95 maxima 11.7 @ 123mph - stock 3.0L tuned by me on 93octane 12.9 @ 104mph - stock 3.5L w/ bolt ons
My buddy had a face-plated tko600 that he drove daily in a mustang, and his wife drove some. It wasn't that bad. You just have to make firm positive shifts every time. It would however get very old in stop and go traffic. I would not do it on a daily driver.
I'm going to talk to a converter guru today, see what he can do with my current converter. Problem with the C4 auto is it doesn't have an overdrive or a locking converter. mileage = crap on highway. A Viper Spec T-56 would be great, but $$$$. Would need new bell, clutch, driveshaft, trans mount etc etc. Not a cheap proposition unless I can find a trade... not holding my breath. The people I've talked to say they wouldn't trade their faceplated trans now that they are used to it. So this is a hard call. Worried I'm going to drop the trans, dump another 400 to re-do converter, put it back together and still be unsatisfied and end up yanking it again to sell/trade it anyway. Choices choices.
Registered: 12/20/99
Posts: 15410
Loc: Providence, RI
do they make aftermarket gears for your transmission? i've only paid attention to hondas and we can get straight cut gears with synchros in addition to regular dog engagment straight cut.
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I have a 3 speed auto that I swapped in awhile ago, that is part of the problem. I have two choices now for the same Trans to trade, a regular synchronized TKO or a Faceplated TKO. I did run across a thread on an RX7 forum where people had talked to Gforce and Liberty about building a transmission that would be capable of shifting at rpm's above 6500 regularly with synchronized gears and weren't getting positive feedback, so I'm still undecided. I plan to still run the motor up to 7800 if I take it to the track.
Registered: 07/14/00
Posts: 12783
Loc: Maryland USA
In general non synchro trans have more room for wider gears and are stronger. One of the problems with street driving a dogbox that I didn't think of earlier is whatever gear you go for, it goes in. So if you go from 3 and miss and go for second it goes in second with little effort. Many people with H patterns have lost bottom ends due to this. So you have to be careful all the time. Wheras most synchro trans have a lot of resistance trying to go back into second from a high rpm shift out of third. Also you can't baby shift a dogbox. You have to go for it quick or you risk rounding off the dog engagement teeth.
So, like I said earlier its fine for a weekend or couple times a month going to work car. It seems that at some point cars that you race become bad daily drivers. You add a cage, dogbox, cams, etc...
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“ the only people that care about this aren't car people anyway. we don't consider EVs for anything other than point to point transportation like a bus or a plane. do you care how fast your plane can taxi down the runway?
the dodge is a drag strip monster, and a hell of a good one at that.” -Rex B16, June 11 2024
Faceplating, crash box, pro shifted, either way they remove the synchros.
Or a "Mid Plate" for the other ones 
