I've decided to have the 904 rebuilt to beef it up a bit and keep the A/T mated to the 408 stroker.
I'm considering the Gear Vendors set up that allows gear splitting and OD. Any idea if anyone has experience with this product?I have had one since about 2004.I would highly recommend this unit as an overdrive unit. But not as a splitter, under any condition except at or near WOT.
There are several reasons for this;
1) you are building a 408:the GVOD may benefit it on the track,but the 408 will gain nothing on the street from it.And the reason is that the 408 will be traction handicapped on the street.It will spin the tires all the way thru first and probably all the way thru second as well.I would just put 3.23s in her and call it done.
2) Splitting with the GV requires defeating its computer, otherwise you can't even time the event with a stopwatch.Running it on battery voltage, will make it shift like lightning, when the unit has pressure. It has an internal pump running off the driveshaft. It needs driveshaft RPM to build pressure. It cannot build proper shift pressure in first gear with 3.55s. It builds real good pressure with 4.88s. The guys at GV were less than helpful when I asked these questions. I had to learn it on my own. It did work also with 4.30s. I did try it with 3.91s, but I cannot remember the results today. It does actually work with 3.55s under full power at the top of first gear, or about 48mph. This will be near 5500rpm for you, 6500 for me. But you cannot count on it shifting when you hit the button. With 3.55s there is always a slight delay in first gear.
3) If you defeat the computer, you better figure out a way to absolutely prevent it from engaging in reverse. This will instantly ruin it, and a rebuild is 50% of new no matter what is wrong with it. This is a very expensive mistake to make, for a Canadian.
For you,a better idea is a 4 speed automatic, since you need a tranny anyway.
Also, I'm going to order the QA1 K frame and handling package. I'll replace the steering box with the Borgeson unit and all steering/suspension parts. Not doing rack and pinion steering. Upgrade to disk brakes for safety. I know it's a bit of overkill, but my car SELLING days are over. I'm keeping this one for a long time and I don't want to have to pull it apart again. Schumacher offers Tri-Y headers for this application and they assure me that there are no clearance issues. Again, I wonder if anyone here has any experience with this product?
I've found some reasonable complete rear end builds, that I feel is a good deal, with disk brakes and sure grip 3.55 gears. So, bolt that in and she's ready to go. I'll finish paint and interior after that.
I figured I'd be $12K-$15K to finish it completely, and it looks like it'll be in that ball park. Before anyone freaks out about spending that much, think about this... Taking a year or so to finish the car is reasonable and that is $1000 a month towards the car. That's not crazy.
Plus, if I have the car for 20 years I'm looking at averaging $600-$750 per year in overall enjoyment cost.My thinking was the same, but the body died early.She was done at the 14 year mark.
Maybe I'm insane, I don't know...You're fine, I spent near double that
