Trans Am WS6 420

iTrader: (14)

I keep looking at this thing, but for a little under $3,000 installed + cost of custom driveshaft, I dunno.... I'd like to hear from anyone running one. I'm really interested in how the driveability is, and how the whole switch thing works out. Thanks.

- Matt

phenyxTA

Me 2.

MacGyver

iTrader: (5)

WS6Chewbaca is the only person I know of running this unit. Havent seen him around in awhile though. I see a few hurdles to overcome in doing it though. First it's pretty big and It looks like it could intrude upon the tq arm. Even ones like the spohn I have that dont bolt to the tranny. Second you would have to have another custom crossmember made to support it Putting out that much torque Would need to be bolted in good I would think. You'd also need a shorter driveshaft by it looks like a foot or so. Those things arent really that big of a deal the biggest would I guess be the tq arm because fabbing up a new one would be a PITA. LEts hope Chewbaca can enlighten us as to what's involved other than the ~2000 dollar pricetag <img src="gr_eek2.gif" border="0">

BIGBOS

A friend of mine said the gearvendors package weighs around 400 pounds...is this true??

Beeler422

iTrader: (3)

400??? <img src="gr_eek2.gif" border="0"> I hope not. I was going to be installing this in the next month or so. I thought someone told me 80lbs but I could be wrong.

BIGBOS

Yea, I am very interested in getting one too.... <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

JimmyKash

George Baxter used to use one when he was going 9.40s in his YS-trimmed LT1

make a post to him on camaroz28.com and see if he can answer some questions

WS6 Chewbaca

[quote]A friend of mine said the gearvendors package weighs around 400 pounds...is this true?? <hr></blockquote>

No the GV unit weighs 36 lbs.

[quote]LEts hope Chewbaca can enlighten us as to what's involved other than the ~2000 dollar pricetag <hr></blockquote>

1. Modified cross member.
2. Modified Y pipe.
3. Short drive shaft.

I am using the Spohn TQ arm and it works and fits great.

Anyone in the MD area who wants to see my car to test drive it or put it up on a lift and check it out ect... Is more then welcome! Just shoot me a e-mail! Right now there is a short wait list to do this.

Trans Am WS6 420

iTrader: (14)

How's the GV working out for you? Do you use all 6 possible gears, or just the normal 3, and the OD? Do you use any splitting when you race? How do you have the switch set up? Do you have any pictures of the unit installed? Are you saying you need a custom custom crossmember (TH-400/GV) or just the standard custom (TH400) cross member? (Did ya get all that? <img src="gr_tounge.gif" border="0"> ) What kind of driveshaft are you running, and how much was it?

That enough questions? <img src="gr_eek2.gif" border="0"> <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

- Matt

BIGBOS

I got another good question....how much does it weigh??

Thanks <img src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

BIGBOS

opps see that you already answered that

<img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

WS6 Chewbaca

[quote]How's the GV working out for you? Do you use all 6 possible gears, or just the normal 3, and the OD? Do you use any splitting when you race? <hr></blockquote>

I have not gotten to drive the car much at all because I went on vacation right after it got finished. Now its back in the shop for some more goodies. With my *limited* experience with it I would say to get the best results at the track you would do a normal 1st gear split second and then do a normal 3rd. Its drivability is good even with my 4400 stall. Its working out awsome so far.

[quote] How do you have the switch set up? <hr></blockquote>

My switch is a foot button on the dead pedal. Its like the a high beam switch on a older car.

[quote] Do you have any pictures of the unit installed? <hr></blockquote>

High quality pictures are coming soon!

[quote]Are you saying you need a custom custom crossmember (TH-400/GV) or just the standard custom (TH400) cross member? <hr></blockquote>

Custom cross member.

[quote]What kind of driveshaft are you running, and how much was it? <hr></blockquote>

I got a custom chromoly short drive shaft. I think I paid 400$ or so I can't remember...

WS6 Chewbaca

Oh yeah I forgot to mention I use the stock shifter.

WS6 Chewbaca

[quote] Now, say you are in 1st gear. To split first, you leave the shifter alone, and press the button, right? <hr></blockquote>

Exactly!

[quote] I wonder if the GV unit can be hooked up to turn on itself at a specific speed or something. <hr></blockquote>

Nope! <img src="gr_sad.gif" border="0">

[quote] Sorry to keep pounding you with questions, but you are theonly source for GV info I have found so far. <hr></blockquote>

No problem at all! <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0"> I want to try to give you guys as much info as I can before you decide to make such a big investment.

[quote] That foot button sounds too much like dancing to me... being white with no rhythm, I'd be likely to screw that up <hr></blockquote>

I agree me and the guys that did the install may have come up with another solution for shifting... If it works it is going to be very trick.

WS6 Chewbaca

Soon as I get the car back and can really drive it alot I will do a write up on everything. RPM's at highway speed, Best way to race with the GV unit, Best way to setup the GV shift button ect...

Go ahead and start thinking of any and all questions and I will be sure to get anserws.

Trans Am WS6 420

iTrader: (14)

Ok, cool. So far so good <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0"> But I think this is my biggest question of all:

[quote]Originally posted by Trans Am WS6 420:
<strong>...Now, to go to normal 2nd, you have to move the shifter to second and press the button again, or does moving the shifter automatically put you into second normal? ...
</strong><hr></blockquote>

Again, thanks dude. And I want more info on the "other solution". I was going to use the button on my Cheetah SCS shifter, but it's currently controlling my line lock, and I'd love to keep it there.

<img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

- Matt

WS6 Chewbaca

[quote] Now, to go to normal 2nd, you have to move the shifter to second and press the button again, or does moving the shifter automatically put you into second normal? <hr></blockquote>

Yes that is correct and that is a PITA. And I *think* there might be a way around having to do all that. Ill know more soon.

Terry Burger

iTrader: (4)

You can probably use a push button and just push it when you want to split gears.

MacGyver

iTrader: (5)

Very interesting info Chewy <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0"> To answer the question of being able to control it at speed. I'm sure that you COULD do it if you want to by looking at the signal from the VSS sensor and capturing it and have it processed by some kind of PLC or PGA. A friend of mine and I were going to do something like this to make a timing retard box for use with nitrous systems that was fully programmable for RPM/Amount of retard. But anyways. That would be alot of work to design for just one car though. If I had a GV unit I would probably take the time to do it however.

BIGBOS

Can't wait for the full right up......I'm still a little confused...

So if you want to use the "stock" 3 gears you don't touch the buttons at all, but if you want to split all the gears you have to not touch the shifter hit the button, then shift into gear?? Or do you put the car in 1st gear, then hit the button.......and if you want to shift to 2nd you move the shifter into 2nd and you will be in low 2nd or do you have to hit the button again??

Thanks...... <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">