Cascade Crew

Schultzy89GTA

Hey Crewbies!

An update on my ride.

Short version: New syncros, shifts great. New exhaust, sounds great at idle and nice and quiet at cruise.

Long version: Some of you know that I have been having problems with the TKO not shifting well at higher RPM. Even when I had my 11 sec pass I had to shift slow and deliverate. I have had the transmission rebuilt, ensured that the bell housing was dialed in to spec (actually had to have longer dowel pins put in) but still had trouble. Scott at Garage Motorsports (where Paul works) did a little research and it appears that I am not the only one that has this problem with the early version TKO's at high RPM. He found a company that has made prototype synchros and they were looking for people to try them out. Scott put a 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear synchros in my tranny. They have an added friction material on the inside to provide more grip. Tonight was the first time I was able to drive it and so far so good. I had a few 6k+ RPM shifts into 2nd and it was all goodness. Shifts into third and fourth were good as well. The transmission feels very firm and shifts are positive (the good ol' snick, snick, snick as you go into gear).

At the same time Paul was kind enough to build me a new exhaust setup. Basically I went from the dual 3" setup to dual 2.5". He used all mandrel bends. I have a resonator on each side inline and a borla turbo muffler on each side as well. Paul did such an awesome job. I have all of my ground clearance back as my transmission cross-member is the lowest point under my car, no more crossover pipe wedged between my oil pan and K member, no more clamps in the back that slip off and cause noise and exhaust leaks. Paul fabbed up a few different hangers along the length of the intermediate pipes that allows install by one person very easily. Other mods included an extension to my pass side header collector so that all three collector bolts are easy to access. So we got her fired up tonight. The idle is a bit subdued from the prior setup but still deep and loud - no mistaking that something is going on under the hood. The awesomness is at cruise. Paul and I were having a normal level conversation, at cruise, with the tops off. Not really possible even with the tops on before! So far I am very happy with the change. Sorry to go on and on but I am a happy boy. Paul took some pics so maybe he will post them up at some point.

The down side is that several people feel I will lose quite a bit of power by reducing the exhaust size (some are even happy about that Wink

). Time will tell. I am willing to give up a few ponies at the top for the drivability factors that I just gained. I am a bit concerned as I got blown away by a turbo beetle at freeway speeds on the way home.*

End novel.

-Schultzy

*Not!

Demon · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject:

I'm one of the naysayers as far as losing power is concerned...

I think you'll be just dandy

blue89 · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject:

I think you might gain some power by going dual 2.5". What is the improvement with new syncro's? Are the gears cut different?

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:40 pm Post subject:

Gears are all the same. The original synchros are all brass. The new ones have bits of friction material, carbon/kevlar or something, along the inside. Looks like it would work a bit more clutch-like. Apparently the theory is that the solid brass just doesn't have enough grip at the higher rpm.

Time will tell. I am supposed to abuse the transmission and provide feedback. This I can do!

-Schultzy

jakemk8706 · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:09 pm Post subject:

do you have longtube headers or shorties???

Xophertony · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:38 pm Post subject:

he has shorties.

nice mike, very nice.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:56 pm Post subject:

Gain some torque in the bottom end, lose some top end HP.

Yall gotta remember this is a N/A 400RWHP 6000RPM 383 here. This is the motor that's going to start to utilize dual 3". Especially on a long piped setup like an F-body with side route duals. I forget the phrase right now but air builds up around the walls and the farther down the pipe you go, the thicker that build up becomes. So your effectice pipe diameter becomes smaller the father down. That's why I went 3" originally. 2.5" would be fine and ideal actually if the exhaust routing wasn't so long.

I guarantee atleast a 15HP drop on the top end on the dyno.

Demon · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:33 pm Post subject:

TecherB · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:13 pm Post subject:

good to hear it is up and running. i know you are all about drive abilty you still have ac

Xophertony · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:57 pm Post subject:

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:35 am Post subject:

Aaron there are too many variables to just say this pipe is good for this hp period. How's this for an example....

3" Y pipe with Cutout@Cat spot....
Dual 3" with Mufflers full length....

Ran the exact same time in the 1/4. Same MPH same ET. On my motor, repeatedly. That 3" Y-Pipe with cutout should be similar to a full length 2.5" dual setup.

iansane · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:09 am Post subject:

There is something to be said for the excitement of making your car that much more fun (fun = enjoyable) to drive. It's almost tedious and annoying to cruise a car that just isn't exactly what you want it to be. Nice job on the setup.

Honestly, I didn't really like the noise it made before. It was cool, but not my cup o' tea. I'm looking forward to hearing the current growl. Smile

blue89 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:17 am Post subject:

Tony, I did a side dump. Was never happy with it. For starters, my car is really low so I always scraped the tip and glasspack. Secondly, the butt dyno did not show any gain at all. Plus it was always super loud on the right side. I'd just get headers and then do a single 2.5" out. Thats my current setup (minus headers).

Xophertony · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:15 am Post subject:

i was not so much looking for power, this is my millage car. in addition to making the engine more efficient it will cut some big weight out of the exhaust. i have a flowmaster 40 that is only about 3.5" tall, and my cars not that low.

it's something i am interested in trying. but in all honesty it may never happen.

blue89 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:40 am Post subject:

If i still have my setup in the garage I'll send it to you. All you have to do is cut the y-pipe where its straight and points back. Then attach a cherry bomb and a tip. Fits like a champ except the tip pokes down.

Xophertony · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject:

you made a true "y"pipe that bolts to the v6 exhaust manifolds? i would be down for that for sure. are you going to make mangus's up north gathering? perhaps someone could cart it down to Portland for me?

QwkTrip · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 2:56 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry you've gone through so much trouble with that transmission. I promise that it was brand spankin' new! Wink

The 2.5 inch dual exhaust will probably work better with your engine. The 3" duals were too much. Your average power during acceleration will probably increase.

So.... what's this problem with VW beetles??? Razz

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:29 am Post subject:

that's awesome! Glad to hear you've gone sleddin again!

~JAKE