GT Transmission Damage

[MarkH]

Thought I would share some pictures of the transmissions that we have been working with in the Texas Mile Ford GT. No doubt we have been experimenting with a couple different options and to say its been a learning curve is probably cutting it short. As many are aware we were able to run the 278mph on a stock transmission with no modifications and many would say why not keep pushing that envelope. That was a thought but in order to keep the driver as safe as possible we felt it might be a good thing to find an option that would allow the driver to at all times keep both hands on the wheel and came up with the concept of modifying the stock transmission and building all new gears that would accommodate an air shifter. Through years of testing we have been working on just that. Unfortunately, we only have 2 events a year to test this, without trying to find some private rentals, so its been a long drawn out process. At the last mile event in Texas we were able to destroy 2 transmissions which included the purpose built air shifter as well as a stock transmission. If you will see in the pictures below, we have both the air shifter along with a stock transmission crated up ready to go back to our builder for analysis. The first picture shows the centerplate inside the transmission which is out of the air shifter that has been completely shattered and seems to be the week spot at this point in this type of application. The fix seems to be a rebuild with a new billet center plate along with all new 4/6 gear. The last picture is the stock transmission with what seems to be the snap ring being pushed out/ bent flat underneath the 5th gear. When the stock transmission broke, the car was still able to run a 273mph pass but obviously something was going on with 5th gear which was the final gear to complete the pass. As the event gets closer in April, we will hopefully have something worked out but if not, the stock transmission has seem to do the job just find for the 278mph pass so hats off to Ricardo for a well built gear box!!!!

Mark Heidaker
M2K Motorsports, LLC
281-346-8114 Shop

 

[nautoncall]

Keep working Mark to find us another option for years to come!!

 

[DieselDr]

looks like trans installer error to me.....

 

[MarkH]

Trans installer??? That would be me and I know that's not possible...

Keep the miles low on my car, heard you been driving it daily....

 

[Ed Sims]

Parts break even below 200!

Ed

 

[Dolph]

Trans installer??? That would be me and I know that's not possible...

Keep the miles low on my car, heard you been driving it daily....

Mark, I love to work on all my cars as much as I can, and I enjoy it so much. From a '29 to a '14. That's what I retired at 51 to do. But, what you are doing is not a step above, but a floor above, what I am doing.

I'm so jealous.

Dolph

 

[Fubar]

Wow, that does really put the Ricardo in a special class of OEM parts. The stuff you broke doesn't look weak or cheap! Good luck at the mile.

 

[Black GT]

I am just n awe of our FGTs. Amazing you could go 278 in a mile with a stock trans. Wow. And, with one hand on the wheel while shifting. You sir have no fear.

 

[Ed Sims]

Cool cars we have!

Ed

 

[NorthwoodGT]

Thought I would share some pictures of the transmissions that we have been working with in the Texas Mile Ford GT. No doubt we have been experimenting with a couple different options and to say its been a learning curve is probably cutting it short. As many are aware we were able to run the 278mph on a stock transmission with no modifications and many would say why not keep pushing that envelope. That was a thought but in order to keep the driver as safe as possible we felt it might be a good thing to find an option that would allow the driver to at all times keep both hands on the wheel and came up with the concept of modifying the stock transmission and building all new gears that would accommodate an air shifter. Through years of testing we have been working on just that. Unfortunately, we only have 2 events a year to test this, without trying to find some private rentals, so its been a long drawn out process. At the last mile event in Texas we were able to destroy 2 transmissions which included the purpose built air shifter as well as a stock transmission. If you will see in the pictures below, we have both the air shifter along with a stock transmission crated up ready to go back to our builder for analysis. The first picture shows the centerplate inside the transmission which is out of the air shifter that has been completely shattered and seems to be the week spot at this point in this type of application. The fix seems to be a rebuild with a new billet center plate along with all new 4/6 gear. The last picture is the stock transmission with what seems to be the snap ring being pushed out/ bent flat underneath the 5th gear. When the stock transmission broke, the car was still able to run a 273mph pass but obviously something was going on with 5th gear which was the final gear to complete the pass. As the event gets closer in April, we will hopefully have something worked out but if not, the stock transmission has seem to do the job just find for the 278mph pass so hats off to Ricardo for a well built gear box!!!!

Mark Heidaker
M2K Motorsports, LLC
281-346-8114 Shop

Hope I was able to help Mark. Good Luck!

scott

 

[MarkH]

Thanks for the help for sure. I would say I will try not to bother you again but I know that's not true... I didn't even asked if you had that mid plate available....

 

[NorthwoodGT]

never a problem- anytime I can help