New Passon A-855 5 sp overdrive

[IroquoisPliskin]

Hey guys! This thread seems to have fallen into a coma
Is there really no news on the A855 production progress?

[dave73chally]

How much money is required to get your name on the list?

[dfrazz]

How much money is required to get your name on the list?

$0 - Just a phone call or email

[ragtopdodge]

Hey guys! This thread seems to have fallen into a coma
Is there really no news on the A855 production progress?

Per Jamie from another board:

"... I am sorry as unfortunately real life has been steering the ship for a little while. I have been through a family member having a stroke and being rendered needing assistance since June. This has taken a fair amount of time. I also just had another family member pass away about a month ago. Again, also requiring time to be spread between "real life" and business. For this I am sorry. It seems that there is never a good time for that kind of thing. I am not looking for sympathy. Just letting people know that we are human here too.

I totally understand that everyone is getting rather annoyed at the extended time this is taking. I assure you that no one is more frustrated about it than myself... How would you like to have 20 phone calls a day about a product that you can't sell yet? Its a CONSTANT reminder that you can't truly rest... EVER. The amount of production issues that have crept up here has made it crystal clear to me that this is why NO ONE has had the balls to try this. Whether it is a good or bad thing that we tried it is debatable. However, we are not looking back now. We are too far in to quit.

I want everyone to keep in mind, the product that forced our hand in even mentioning this way before I wanted to has still not come to market for a Chrysler product and the GM version has been reduced from 800 ft/lbs of torque capacity to 500 ft/lbs. If it was not for this unicorn, I would have not said anything for quite a while until we had things dialed in and rolling. As they say, "The best laid plans..." Anyway, Let no one lose sight that I am getting nothing by dragging this out, but MORE grey hair. We are in receipt of the final pieces that we need to resume production of transmissions. We will be QC'ing these pieces and building several units for testing. As long as these function properly, we will begin production.

I'll say it again (even though it falls on deaf ears) THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE WILL HAVE 487 TRANSMISSIONS BUILT NEXT WEEK!!!!!!!! It also means that I can't tell everyone exactly when their unit will be built just yet so PLEASE do not flood me with those questions just yet. It means that the units will be tested and then disassembled and inspected and we will go from there. I realize that we lose customers daily, but I am committed to following the project through. Once the bag log is filled, we will stock the units in all configurations. I will attempt to post some photos an another post to show that I am not full of crap and we actually are doing stuff. Not sure how it will go due to file size limits. I will try though.
Jamie"

[IroquoisPliskin]

Thanks! Good to know the project is not dead even if it's not the best news that it's gonna take longer
I think it's worth waiting. I was already afraid they would give up

[ShelbyDogg]

I think we'll all be dead before he produces 500 of these trannies, if he doesn't send it off to be built somewhere else. Keep hoping and maybe one day you'll get one and win the lottery too.

[ChallengerHK]

   Several people here who know him have assured me that he has the best of intentions. With what I've seen so far and the interactions I've had, if that's true then maybe he's just bitten off more than he could chew.

[rUNCHARGER]

I believe the current delay is that he is looking for a good supplier of shafts. He doesn't just want to put his name on anyones parts and is waiting for someone that can supply a quality part that will stand up, rather than something that might stand up. It will be a great product and worth waiting for I believe.
I don't really see an alternative that I would use in a classic Challenger. the only other trans I am considering is his 4 speed OD setup.

Sheldon

[70chall440]

I have seen the same thing in my industry many times; it isnt that they dont want to do it, it is beyond thier inability to execute thier intent. I have no specifics on this but I would offer that depending on what he is after, he might have to settle for something less than ideal and subsequently then would have to admit his product could not do everything he originally stated. It becomes a self licking ice cream cone; you dont want to compromise because it will make you look bad, so you never bring anything to maket (which IMO is worse) as you are holding out for that one solution. This is why big companies tend to make something, test it, tweak it, source everything, develop a production procedure they can execute and then go to market. Worst thing you can do is release an immature product or concept of a product to the buying public unless you are very certian it is ready.

[JoeGrapes]

I've been watching this 5 speed trans story since it started. I do believe he is trying to fill a need with the best product he can. I've been a machinist doing high tolerance prototype work for 40 years and I know it's not as easy as it sounds to do something like this within a reasonable price range. In order to get your development costs back and make a profit you really need to spread these costs over a lot more transmissions than it would seem to me there are buyers for. Other wise the cost of the units would so high you wouldn't sell many.
Anyway, I'm really looking at his 4 speed OD upgrade. At first I didn't like it because I would be turning my 4 speed into a 3 speed. But the more I think about it, it still looks just like a standard 4 speed and why do we need the 4 gears anyway? A lot of us skip a gear when shifting because it's a pain I the ass in city driving and a 727 only has 3 gears. Plus it's half the cost.   

[67vertman]

Joegrapes,

I purchased one of the 4 sp OD units from Jamie while I am waiting for the 5 sp. Yes the gearing leaves a little to be desired over a "true" 4 sp gear spread with a overdrive gear.  However, if you are like me and running a stout rear-end  gear (4:10) you need the extra gearing drop the overdrive supply's.  On the streets I rarely get into 4 gear, but when I hit the highways I can drive it long distances.

I plan to recoup some of my cost buy selling the 4 sp OD when I get the 5 sp.

[JoeGrapes]

Vertman, thanks for your impression of the OD kit. I'm running 3.91 years with a 28" tall tire. The OD will help with putting less strain on the motor and make highway driving much more comfortable. It sounds like you have the right idea since it's looking like years before they will be available. Also at the rate of his production problems he might need to increase the price of the 5 speed units. Im just not sure spending an extra 2500 or so over the OD kit to get one extra gear is worth it. Something to think about.

[ShelbyDogg]

Vertman, thanks for your impression of the OD kit. I'm running 3.91 years with a 28" tall tire. The OD will help with putting less strain on the motor and make highway driving much more comfortable. It sounds like you have the right idea since it's looking like years before they will be available. Also at the rate of his production problems he might need to increase the price of the 5 speed units. Im just not sure spending an extra 2500 or so over the OD kit to get one extra gear is worth it. Something to think about.

Joe,
Look for the OD out of a late 80s truck and put that in there while waiting. I helped a friend put one in a 70 Challenger 440-6pk, 410 Dana car and he drives highway speeds with me now.
I've found those transmissions for $75 and $125.   The only thing I don't like is racing on the highway, You downshift to 3rd (which is 1:1) which is just like leaving it in 4rth and punching it. How often do you race on the highway these days anyway? Had one behind my 440 with 3:55s and got 20 MPG.:


In my Pace Car on the 2015 Power Tour. 2:73 rear with 833 OD with a 295/50-15 tire, I love the low RPMs!

[rUNCHARGER]

The gear ratios on the factory OD were pretty bad. The Passon OD4 has ratios that are much better without the huge spreads between gears. I find my stroker has a nice wide powerband so the Passon OD4 should work very well in my application and the factory OD wouldn't last long behind my engine anyway. It could sort of work with a stockish low HP engine though.

Sheldon

[dfrazz]

The gear ratios on the factory OD were pretty bad. The Passon OD4 has ratios that are much better without the huge spreads between gears. I find my stroker has a nice wide powerband so the Passon OD4 should work very well in my application and the factory OD wouldn't last long behind my engine anyway. It could sort of work with a stockish low HP engine though.

Sheldon

FYI - I heard that Brewers will build a OD to your liking.  Basically you tell them the ratios you want.