Gear Vendors vs. 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto?

[Road_Runner]

So I've read a lot here about the Tremec and Passon 5 speeds regarding their cost, shifting issues (Tremec), parts availability/long waits, customer service (mostly Tremec again), etc.  Seems like more folks would be considering just adding a Gear Vendors unit to their current 4 speed or Torqflite, but apparently not many do.  I like that there are no permanent mods to the car unless you count shortening the original driveshaft (I may get a new lighter one built and store my original).  Just curious why these units seem always to be left out of the discussions here?  I'm strongly considering these for both the Roadrunner & Barracuda even though I haven't 100% decided whether to stay with the autos in each or change one or both to manuals.  Thoughts?

Later, Jim

[dfrazz]

I have thought about swapping a 4 spd vs GVOD and I think both have their benefits.  IMHO it is hard to beat a manual shift muscle car, but the GVOD seems to be the easier option.  One note if you have an H or X pipe exhaust, you will have to modify it unless you bought the TTI that is built for it.

[Cudaragtop]

GV is on my wish list! I bought the TTI H pipe planning for it behind my A833 down the road.
I love the idea of overdrive and the ability to split the other gears is appealing too. 1 high, 2 high, 3 high...
Oh and a clutchless shift from 1 to 1 OD for the occasional street or strip duel.
My painter put one in his Truck and one in his brothers A Body Barracuda fastback. They love 'em. 
The Gear Vendors is worth more than his truck by the way...
Not enough in my piggy bank yet. 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

My experience with Gear Vendors is based off of my Father's Challenger.

It functions well and certainly serves a purpose, however I do feel the "gear-splitting" function is more of a marketing term rather than a matter of practicality. At least the way the GV was executed in the car, it was based off of an additional headlight dimmer switch, the on/off function of the button made it very cumbersome to try to gear split. In turn, it just operates as a 4th gear.

It's very tough to beat a manual overdrive setup in a muscle car. The TKO's are not well known for their shifting quality, but I feel many of the problems that arise with those swaps are caused by the vendor, not Tremec. I purchased a 6-speed T56 Magnum from SST and, so far, have no complaints with the vendor or the product. That is far from a "no-cut" swap though..

[Chryco Psycho]

The T56 Viper or T56 Magnum are great trans but hard to install ,
I have driven with the GV OD , it is virtually indestructable & works great , I do agree that splitting the gears is not a real advantage but using the OD as an OD is great

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I've thought about GV for a long long time. Not BIG on bangin' the crap outa my tunnel tho, but I know guys that have run 'em and they always got high marks.   

[Chryco Psycho]

There is very little if any tunnel mods , some of the area above the squared top can interfere with the tunnel & just square off the top of the tunnel is all that is needed with the GV 

[Cudaragtop]

I think spitting gears applies to a Manual transmission. I've not heard of it used to split gears in an auto.
I do know that in 25 MPH zones rpm feels a little high in 2nd and a little low in 3rd with my stick car...

[HP2]

Splitting gears are best used in towing applications going up grades with a load. It isn't practical in a moderate cruising application in a car. The typical muscle car engine build with mountains of torque should not require gear splitting.

[CUDA JAS]

For me its cost...$3,000 plus for us Canadians seems like a lot.

I suspect I can put together an 518 OD trans in my cuda for less then that, and still no mods.

Jason

[Cudaragtop]

How many gears are too many?
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a7243/gears-galore-how-many-speeds-is-too-many/