i can't say enough good things about the quality folks at gotham racing. what a difference in my car. it took a little longer than i was expecting (mostly due to issues getting parts) and it cost a lot more than I had budgeted for (upgrades!) but it was definately worth it.

i was constantly on the phone with alex and steve making changes, dropping off parts, showing up at a moments notice, etc. steve came in on sunday (they were closed) to let me drop off parts. alex and the rest of the staff went out of their way to see that i was satisfied as a customer. i was kept in the loop and given regular updates. everyone was patient and took the time to answer my questions. they found and fixed several problems while doing the swap, but always called to get my okay before doing any work.

i definately feel like i got my money's worth. i haven't felt that way in regards to my seven in a long, long time. it sure does feel good.

 

how much for the swap? Im seriously debating it now...

 

it was around $1400 plus parts. I went with some upgraded parts: exedy hyperone clutch/flywheel, short shifter, etc. Plus, alex was very meticulous about making sure all of the necessary pieces were there-heat and dust shields, correct bolts, etc. I had some other things done that weren't related to the swap, such as an oil pan brace. The best thing for you to do would be to email steve or alex. www.gothamracing.com has the contact info.

 

Glad to hear everything worked out for you, 5 spd is sooo much more fun to drive than the slushbox. Of course I am a little biased, but I don't think you can go wrong by bringing your FD out to our shop

 

5speed swap was the best thing Ive ever done to my FD. enjoy it

 

Better than the T-88?

 

hey man i saw ypur car at gotham i was there to get some parts your car is bad *** man very nice love the wheels and the hood and the bumper and........goes on and on

 

thanks dude! yeah it was there a while-lots of nice cars there though besides mine. i liked just walking around the place!

 

well Ill take that back

 

Mines at Gotham right now It spends more time than it does with me. In the last 14 months I've actually had it in my garage for 4 months and only got to put 1500 miles on it and it went back lol

 

Yeah, I made sure I collected all my parts before hauling it to Austin for my swap haha! An FD is actually quite roomy, once you remove the passenger side seat. The manual tranny fit with room to spare! Still kinda wished I held out a bit longer, especially since I saw that post about those new paddles shifters for shift boxes, posted awhile back...

BTW, did you do the 3.9->4.1/4.3 swap too? I still have my 4.3 sitting in the garage, but now thinking about leaving the 3.9 in for a future project (cough cough).

 

sorry daniel didn't see your post, but yeah I did swap the 4.10. 1st gear is useless and second can be if I'm not careful, so I was curious as to how the 3.9 would have done.

 

Maybe Im having a blond moment. Are you guys talking about going from an auto to a manual or some racing dog box gears that Steve is having made in the stock FD tranny?

 

I'm confused >< my fd came w/ 5speed stock...are you talking about converting auto to 5speed?

 

yes

 

It's embarrassing to say, but I still have not tuned since the single (in other words, I haven't hammered on it), so I can't really say if the 3.9 is a liability.

If anything though, there may be some logic to leaving the taller gear in - supposedly allows a bit more time for boost to build in the lower gears? This was what the turbo mustang tuners allegedly did back in the 90's.... Then again, they had more torque to begin with and could likely afford the taller gear.

 

did they source the transmission for you?

 

no, but I think it's entirely within their ability. I was even offered the choice of a new one.

 

Yes I will have to 2nd that about Gotham , I was right after Weaklink for a swap and have to say Steve, Alex, and the whole crue at Gotham are top notch!! love the new 5 speed and the work put in to make it happen, And my car needed some extra attention. Ryan