Anyone here running a Kilduff Lightning Rod shifter?
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Queens, NYC and sometimes Orlando
Anyone here running a Kilduff Lightning Rod shifter? Stumbled upon his videos while doing some shifter research...
http://www.kilduffmachine.com/
Dude sounds like a bit of a nut, but the shifters look to be solid
I'm curious about reverse/park lock-out though
Doesn't look like there's a second action to put the main lever into reverse or park...
Also, could you actually use that 3rd lever to go from 3rd to neutral at speed or would you have to slow down first since it will have to go through 2nd and 1st before hitting neutral with a reverse manual valve body
http://www.kilduffmachine.com/
Dude sounds like a bit of a nut, but the shifters look to be solid
I'm curious about reverse/park lock-out though
Doesn't look like there's a second action to put the main lever into reverse or park...
Also, could you actually use that 3rd lever to go from 3rd to neutral at speed or would you have to slow down first since it will have to go through 2nd and 1st before hitting neutral with a reverse manual valve body
I've seen these but not personal experience.
I will say you do not want to shift to neutral at speed. When you do so you are potentially creating a grenade.
You also don't want to downshift to 2nd and let it freewheel.
Let it coast down in 3rd with the engine running.
I will say you do not want to shift to neutral at speed. When you do so you are potentially creating a grenade.
You also don't want to downshift to 2nd and let it freewheel.
Let it coast down in 3rd with the engine running.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Queens, NYC and sometimes Orlando
That's what I usually do.
I'm running a reverse manual valve body with a shifter that ratchets in both directions, so I've never been able to skip past a gear as it always works in sequence (see video)
I know some guys with forward pattern valve bodies that go from 3rd directly to neutral, then shut down their motors as they coast to a stop, but don't know of anyone with reverse valve bodies that shift directly into neutral in this manner
I'm running a reverse manual valve body with a shifter that ratchets in both directions, so I've never been able to skip past a gear as it always works in sequence (see video)
I know some guys with forward pattern valve bodies that go from 3rd directly to neutral, then shut down their motors as they coast to a stop, but don't know of anyone with reverse valve bodies that shift directly into neutral in this manner
Most reverse VB's don't have engine braking, so you could go back through 2nd and low to neutral without "feeling it downshift". However you are still creating a grenade and it doesn't matter if it's forward or reverse pattern.
I'm making this statement for the general welfare of anybody reading this. DO NOT shift to neutral at high speed!
I've explained this in detail in the past and EVERY knowledgeable performance trans builder and most aftermarket VBs have cautions about this.
There is no reason to shift to neutral for the average sportsman car.
If there is a reason it needs to be done, it requires a special valve body, shifter, and internal mods to allow it, and even then the engine must remain running for it to work.
I'm making this statement for the general welfare of anybody reading this. DO NOT shift to neutral at high speed!
I've explained this in detail in the past and EVERY knowledgeable performance trans builder and most aftermarket VBs have cautions about this.
There is no reason to shift to neutral for the average sportsman car.
If there is a reason it needs to be done, it requires a special valve body, shifter, and internal mods to allow it, and even then the engine must remain running for it to work.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 662
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From: Queens, NYC and sometimes Orlando
That being said, would I have issues skipping through gears?
My current shifter ratchets and only works in sequence (P-R-N-1-2-3-2-1-N-R-P)
The Lightning Rods aren't ratcheting and can skip 2nd if you pull the 3rd handle first.
How would my manual valve body handle this?
Would it just jump straight to 3rd or can damage occur?
