[Tigers] ideal toploader gears for a Tiger

Tom Witt atwittsend at verizon.net
Wed Dec 28 11:54:59 MST 2016 

One also needs to factor in tire size into the ratio equation. Changing the tire diameter (and thus the circumference) is that same as changing gear ratios.  Some Tiger owners will run 165 or 175–70–13” tires and some will run 2XX- 50ish-16” tires.  I’ve not run the numbers but it could be that a close ratio and short 13” tires isn’t a whole lot different in 1st gear than a wide ratio and a tall 16” tire.  I’ll probably mutter this to the day I die, why isn’t there an industry standard that factors trans, rear end and tire size, something like ‘engine revolutions per mile’ and a recommended “window” based on engine torque? It just seems so logical for matching the three properly.

Some other things to ponder while on the transmission subject:
1. Toploaders are not cheap. A quick check on Ebay has them in the $1,000-$2,500 range and most are closer to the higher end. At an outright replacement it probably runs in the T-5 cost range.
2. However..., even the WC T-5 is now 30 years in existence. For the frugal minded just try finding one at Pick A Part - at all, much less that doesn’t have the longer input shaft and or other oddities that make the early WC T-5 trans desirable for a Tiger. If co$t isn’t important I believe the Ford Motorsport 2.95 trans is still available.
3. Has anyone adapted the Tremec 5 speed with the external shifter (2005-2010 4.0 Mustang)?  It would seem little fabrication is needed to position the shifter where needed. This would seem to eliminate rare or costly adaptations. The down side is a 3.75 1st, flange mounted driveshaft and possible input shaft length issues. Just when one problem gets solved others pop up.  I wonder if the tailshafts swap???

I agree with most, if you have a wide ratio Toploader it is the most PRACTICAL way to go.  Just find the tallest tires you can fit in the rear wheel wells (205-70-14” or 15” ???), mount them on cheap, steel wheels (they becoming your “$100 overdrive”). Then drive to the long distance Tiger events. Swap out your regular wheels (one of which can be your spare) once there. Less noise, less gas, less cost.

From: Smit, Theo via Tigers 
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 8:29 AM
To: Cliff Morgan ; Tigers List 
Subject: Re: [Tigers] ideal toploader gears for a Tiger

(Adding the list back in because I am pretty sure Cliff wanted it that way)

The other thing to remember is that even the “wide” ratio Toploader, with its 2.78 first, is closer in ratios from first to fourth than the Z spec T5 (with a 2.95 first). A light(er) car like the Tiger can generally get away with a closer set of ratios without making it unduly hard to drive.

Theo

From: Cliff Morgan <cliffomorgan at gmail.com>
Date: Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 9:04 PM
To: "Smit, Theo" <theo.smit at garmin.com>
Subject: Re: [Tigers] ideal toploader gears for a Tiger


Jim, I have changed my close ratio gears to wide ratio on my MK I.  I did this because with the high rear end ratio, the wide ratio gears are more responsive for street driving.  Theo gives some good information and there is a lot of info to describe the differences and uses.  My dilemma was (is) whether to stick with the 4 speed or go with a five speed.  At this point I am sticking with the 4 speed and  wide ratio gears. Good luck with your build. Cliff

On Tue, Dec 27, 2016 at 6:15 PM, Smit, Theo via Tigers <tigers at autox.team.net> wrote:

  There are two “standard” ratio sets, close and wide, as listed at David Kee’s site: http://www.davidkeetoploaders.com/torqueandgear.htm

  There were also many extra close ratios, mainly used in road race applications. I would expect that these are going to be very expensive to get, and not really of any improved purpose for your application. They’re listed here: http://www.4speedtoploaders.com/new/white_stripe_toploaders.htm

  If you have already decided you want the “wide” gears then there’s not much else to discuss. The only thing I would recommend is you get a new light(er) weight flywheel. DavidKee has the 24 pound, 157 tooth steel flywheel as well as a 13 pound 157 tooth flywheel listed. A billet steel or aluminum flywheel is a substantial safety improvement over an original cast iron flywheel and the reduced inertia will improve how your car leaves traffic lights without making it unnecessarily hard to drive.

  Theo


  From: Tigers <tigers-bounces at autox.team.net> on behalf of Tigers List <tigers at autox.team.net>
  Reply-To: "Rollright at aol.com" <Rollright at aol.com>
  Date: Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 12:57 PM
  To: Tigers List <tigers at autox.team.net>
  Subject: [Tigers] ideal toploader gears for a Tiger


  My Transmission is on it way to be rebuilt and have wide ratio gears installed.

  What are the ideal ratios that I should be looking for with a stock ratio rear end?

  Thanks in advance. 

  Jim Armstrong
  382002083
  Mk 1A
  code 86
  TAC # 0763


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and contain information that may be Garmin confidential and/or Garmin legally privileged. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender by reply email and delete the message. Any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of this communication (including attachments) by someone other than the intended recipient is prohibited. Thank you.


  _______________________________________________

  tigers at autox.team.net

  Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
  Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
  Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
  Unsubscribe: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/tigers/cliffomorgan@gmail.com







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________

tigers at autox.team.net

Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
Unsubscribe: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/tigers/atwittsend@verizon.net


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://autox.team.net/pipermail/tigers/attachments/20161228/39d34377/attachment.html>

More information about the Tigers mailing list