Got my 2004 Performance Bodies catalog in the mail yesterday. GREAT company...they deal mostly in stuff for roundy-round racers, but I've ordered from them before and was HIGHLY impressed with their service! Anyhow, I spot this Falcon two-speed manual tranny, and I get to thinking... Weighs only 43 pounds. High gear is 1:1 Dimensions and spline count make it fit where a Muncie or T-10 would go. A bit pricey, but I thought it'd be pretty cool for a lightweight rod like a small block powered T-bucket or something! They also offer a light (20lbs) bellhousing with both Chevy and Ford patterns, and hydraulic throw-out bearing kits....Hmmmm.... One thing, though...it says "An internal hydraulic applied clutch operates both low and reverse gears". Anyone know how such a get-up works...and if it'd be cool on the street??? (This company also sells brake pedal/master cylinder assemblies. I may use one in the 49 Chevy...nice, neat package for under $200!) www.PerformanceBodies.com
Trans like this are used on the east coast in dirt track modifieds.They have an internal cluth in them,you can not shift them fast.Would not work for drag racing as cluch is rather small and high is 1 to1 locked up like a in and out box ,you just crash it into high.
What's the ratio on 1st gear? Most sticks are around 2.20 to 2.64 for 1st. I would guess 1st gear on the two speed is around 1.31 to 1.50 or so. Granted, it would work in a light car like a T, but it would be a total drag in traffic or at the fairgrounds. Lotta clutch slipping going on. Why not run a glide if you want a 2-speed? And if you want to pursue the minumum there are some drag racing glides out there running one gear only. Be really different and run a Lenco with three speeds....
some of the big early luxury cars had two speed transmissions, like the Bugati Royal with a city gear and a country gear. I had a muncie three speed short shaft with a bad first gear for a while and drove it using only second and third. it was a pain to drive, prolly woulda worked better if I had first and third.
We ran a similar transmission in our North East ProStock circle track car. It had first gear removed, leaving only 2nd and 3rd plus reverse. When you are running high 5s or low 6 gears in the rearend you don't need first and removing it just lightens the whole thing. Got ours from Speedway. Doug
Guys used to run 3 speeds,and ignore first. Then they started removing first to save weight. Then smaller,lighter clutches. Now everything is custom race only. The small internal clutch doesn't like to slip,so the don't engage real smooth. And they are slow to shift. But they are light,and will take lots of power.
[ QUOTE ] We ran a similar transmission in our North East ProStock circle track car. It had first gear removed, leaving only 2nd and 3rd plus reverse. When you are running high 5s or low 6 gears in the rearend you don't need first and removing it just lightens the whole thing. Got ours from Speedway. Doug [/ QUOTE ] a lot,(most?) 3 speeds run reverse as an take off idler gear from first, no first no reverse, so how'd you do dat?
[ QUOTE ] some of the big early luxury cars had two speed transmissions, like the Bugati Royal with a city gear and a country gear. [/ QUOTE ] Bugatti Royales had regular three speeds. (From what I've read, anyways. I've never been offered a ride for some reason.) Duesenbergs and most other luxury cars of the 20s and 30s, too. You're probably thinking of Deluxe early Fords with Ruckstell rear ends.
a stock falcon 3 speed doesn't weigh much more than 43 pounds,and people will give them to you if you ask nice,so what's the point?
Deuce Rails, thanks for the correction, fuzzy memories at one time I wanted to build a poorboys version, I had a line on an old firetruck and could see it in my minds eye, but it never happened. would be fun to build a super rod though! Paul
When I was wanting to build a FED someone(I think SJ fast)had an alum. 4 speed with only 2-3 and reverse and used a regular 11inch 10 spline clutch, just smoke the hydes when you leave like the fuelers . -Jesse
Hay Hack- do this instead.....gut the trans of low and second gear and leave high gear----install a 12' clutch and it will be the best "performance" Dynaflow ever built!
[ QUOTE ] Deuce Rails, thanks for the correction, fuzzy memories at one time I wanted to build a poorboys version, I had a line on an old firetruck and could see it in my minds eye, but it never happened. would be fun to build a super rod though! [/ QUOTE ] Isn't that the Blastolene?
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