Just purchased a Gear Vendors overdrive unit
08-22-2009, 11:06 AM
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08-23-2009, 05:16 PM
#65
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Started the install today with Rick.
Some tunnel clearance may need to be done but maybe not. I have some research to do tomorrow and I ordered the wrong adapter so I have to get that exchanged. We cut out the old driveshaft loop cause it was in the way and we need a new one anyway because the driveshaft has to be cut.
Looks like the x pipe may clear so that's good news, we'll see.
Some tunnel clearance may need to be done but maybe not. I have some research to do tomorrow and I ordered the wrong adapter so I have to get that exchanged. We cut out the old driveshaft loop cause it was in the way and we need a new one anyway because the driveshaft has to be cut.
Looks like the x pipe may clear so that's good news, we'll see.
Last edited by tektrans; 08-23-2009 at 05:17 PM. Reason: s
08-25-2009, 02:29 PM
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^^^^^^^ funny you say that.
I have a modified stock trans mount (basically a bracket welded to the original mount) so the th350 can bolt to it.
I was thinking this is not the ideal way to have this under the car and with the weight of the GV on the backside it's gonna be worse and may cause a vibration so I went ahead and ordered a BMR th350 mount that's tubular so it's a more solid mounting point.
The driveshaft has to be balanced properly after it's cut and the driveline angle has to be within a certain tolerance so hopefully with those ares being correctly taken care of it will work properly.
I have a modified stock trans mount (basically a bracket welded to the original mount) so the th350 can bolt to it.
I was thinking this is not the ideal way to have this under the car and with the weight of the GV on the backside it's gonna be worse and may cause a vibration so I went ahead and ordered a BMR th350 mount that's tubular so it's a more solid mounting point.
The driveshaft has to be balanced properly after it's cut and the driveline angle has to be within a certain tolerance so hopefully with those ares being correctly taken care of it will work properly.
08-25-2009, 03:32 PM
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wow man this is very cool that your doing a GV in your car!! i have an 80e in my car with a 9 1/2in converter with 3:73 gears and a 8.8 in my car i cut 1.5x 60s and have been a best of 6.95 @ 100 so far on the pump gas tune. and my car is a fat bitch with me in it it is 3742!!! I love the 80 but if money were no option i would have did what you are doing now, but i only have about 1100 in my 80 with the converter and that was with all new parts the tranny it good for over 1000hp but i only make 540RWHP so im not going to hurt it any time soon! LOL please keep us posted to see how this works out, and GOOD LUCK!
08-25-2009, 03:46 PM
#69
I ran one of these years ago. Back then it came with a computer that would kick it on and off at a certain MPH. When it shifts it shifts HARD. One thing about the one I had was that supposedly if you backed up with it engaged it would damage the unit. That was always a worry for me although the controller never failed.
the only reason I got rid of it was that they pissed me off over the adapter. I wanted to change to a another tranny & they demanded that I return the one I already onwed before they would sell me another one for 500 bones. Maybe it is different now.
the only reason I got rid of it was that they pissed me off over the adapter. I wanted to change to a another tranny & they demanded that I return the one I already onwed before they would sell me another one for 500 bones. Maybe it is different now.
08-28-2009, 06:27 AM
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Got the new crossmember in yesterday, gave me some more room at the top of the tunnel (1/2") but still a little tight, I'm thinking maybe the 4L60 trans mount may have to go, I'm going to call BMR and see what mount they recommend. If it's not the mount then I'm going to have to cut the top of the tunnel where the shifter depression is. Hoping to avoid that but it may have to do it, we'll see.
Have the new shorter torque arm coming in from Spohn anyday now and the correct GV adapter will be in next week.
Have the new shorter torque arm coming in from Spohn anyday now and the correct GV adapter will be in next week.
08-28-2009, 08:30 AM
#72
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I did a M6 swap on my LT1 car when I had it and had to do some cutting in that area. Definitely not a fun thing to do. I caught my carpet/carpet pad on fire probably 3 different times. You may have access to more appropriate tools than I did, though. I did everything with a 4 1/2" angle grinder and a cut off wheel. GL.
08-28-2009, 09:15 AM
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I did a M6 swap on my LT1 car when I had it and had to do some cutting in that area. Definitely not a fun thing to do. I caught my carpet/carpet pad on fire probably 3 different times. You may have access to more appropriate tools than I did, though. I did everything with a 4 1/2" angle grinder and a cut off wheel. GL.
If I have to do the cutting my interior is coming out, seats/carpet-that's all I have anyway.
I'l be cutting from inside the car and I'll be using thick guage aluminum bolted to the tunnel to fill the space.
Thanks for the warning!
08-30-2009, 07:15 PM
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Got the new Spohn torque arm today, really stout piece, lot beefier than the Stealth torque arm that I have been running and the shorter length should help keep the wheelies under control.
Ordered a energy suspension trans mount and the correct GV adapter should be in early this week, once I get it all mocked up I'll see how much I have to cut and get to it.
I'm still holding on to a faint hope that I won't have to cut the tunnel but I'm 99% sure I'll have to.
BTW, I wrote an email to the NHRA asking them if I will need to sheild the GV unit itself. After speaking to GV I don't "think" I'll have to because there is no clutch, converter, flywheel etc. to have to shield but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask so I'm waiting for a reply.
Ordered a energy suspension trans mount and the correct GV adapter should be in early this week, once I get it all mocked up I'll see how much I have to cut and get to it.
I'm still holding on to a faint hope that I won't have to cut the tunnel but I'm 99% sure I'll have to.
BTW, I wrote an email to the NHRA asking them if I will need to sheild the GV unit itself. After speaking to GV I don't "think" I'll have to because there is no clutch, converter, flywheel etc. to have to shield but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask so I'm waiting for a reply.
08-31-2009, 08:23 AM
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I was thinking the other day about how this thing works and how I've read on their website that you can essentially turn a 3-speed transmission into a 6-speed. This makes sense. The part I don't understand is if you want to use it as a 6-speed, do you have to switch it back to it's 1:1 ratio when the car shifts? Otherwise, it'll stay in its 1:78 ratio. If this is the case, I would think it wouldn't be practical (even though they claim it that way on their website) except for the overdrive gear when you're racing. If you're racing, it'd be a pain to try and shift it back into the 1:1 gear everytime you shift the transmission.
08-31-2009, 05:27 PM
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In the manual setting it only engages the gear over of the gear you're in. Once you pull the next gear it just keeps it there until you engage the unit electronically again to split that gear.
I got the correct adapter in today
but of course they didnt send the longer bolts 
so now I have to wait for those. I mocked up the new adapter and I'm back to thinking the tunnel might be ok. Once the bolts and trans mount come in and I get the crossmember all buttoned up I'll have a better idea.
I got the correct adapter in today
but of course they didnt send the longer bolts so now I have to wait for those. I mocked up the new adapter and I'm back to thinking the tunnel might be ok. Once the bolts and trans mount come in and I get the crossmember all buttoned up I'll have a better idea. 
09-01-2009, 08:28 AM
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I don't really get this. Say, you're in 2nd gear, and you use the overdrive unit. You've just cut your 2nd gear down by the ratio .78:1. Then, you shift into 3rd. Isn't the unit still in the .78:1 setting, causing you to go from 2nd to overdrive? If not, how does it know to go back?
09-01-2009, 09:55 AM
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I know it's enganged electronically, not sure how it shuts off, electronically also I guess when you shift?. They are on the west coast so I'll call them later and find out for sure.
The way it was explained to me was that there was no extra step to turn it off before the next shift.
I'll get you a better explanation after I speak to them.
The way it was explained to me was that there was no extra step to turn it off before the next shift.
I'll get you a better explanation after I speak to them.