At 10:54 AM 12/19/98 -0500, you wrote:
>In a message dated 98-12-19 08:07:03 EST, you write:
>
><< << I run a stock 5.2 so I find it hard to think I
> should be shearing input shafts and main gears. Anyway this is just an
> update, it feels great to be driving the dak again....
> >> >>
>You guys are starting to scare me. I always thought the 8 1/4 rear was the
>weak link in the driveline. I've got 70 or more 1/4 mile passes on mine;
>should I expect to see parts coming up through the floorboards?
I've heard both sides of the story... Some people have bad luck
with it, while its worked great for others. (like Eric) I'm hoping
that mine will be OK. I'm trying to take it easy on it when I can, but
I know in the back of my head that someday it might just let go... If
it does do that, I want to be ready with some alternatives if I'm out
of warranty...
One thing that I've been mulling over for a while is, IF it does
go, I'd like to replace it with something "better". The top contender
at the moment is the Richmond T-56. That's what is being used in the
SR-71 Dakota, so it appears to be compatible with the drivetrain...
I'd like to have to do as little customizing (i.e. cutting up stuff)
as possible...
While we're on the subject, does anyone have any experience with this
tranny? I've heard that this is the same tranny that's used on Vipers,
Vettes, and Camaros. Is that true? If so, then its a good sign that it
can take the stress of the 600hp Viper... How "bulletproof" is this
tranny? I don't suppose anyone has any experience installing one in a
Dak? (Are the SR-71 guys still on the list?) The main thing I'm concerned
with I guess is the length; would it need a custom driveshaft?
Anyway, my main reasons for wanting to go with this tranny are
improved strength (I hope...), its more "performance oriented" than the
truck tranny, so hopefully shifts would be smoother and quicker, and also
I love the idea of a 6th gear and the things that would do for my gas
mileage! I could throw 4.56's in the rear end and still get great gas
mileage with that nice tall 6th gear! :-)
Is the T-56 the same Richmond 6-speed tranny that I've seen in the
Summit and Jegs catalogs for about $2500-3000?
Sorry for all the questions and wandering off the original topic; I
was just hoping someone might know something about these and if anyone
else considering an alternative to the NV-3500 I thought they might be
interested in any answers...
-Jon-
.--- stei0302@cs.fredonia.edu ------------------------------------.
| Affiliations: DoD, EAA, MP Race Team, NMA, SPA, USUA. RP-SEL |
| '96 Dodge Dakota v8 SLT CC (14.58@93.55), '96 Kolb FireFly 447 |
`----------------------- http://www.cs.fredonia.edu/~stei0302/ ---'
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