Legends race car transmission
I recently installed a Legends race car transmission in my ’67 Chevy II, nicknamed “The Comet․” The initial installation was surprisingly straightforward, thanks to clear instructions and readily available parts․ My mechanic, Bill, and I completed the job in a weekend․ The shifter felt precise, and the gear ratios seemed well-suited to the car’s power band․ I was excited to get it on the track!
Initial Impressions and Setup
Unboxing the Legends transmission was a moment I’d anticipated for months․ The craftsmanship was immediately apparent; it felt solid and robust, a far cry from the flimsy unit I’d previously wrestled with․ The components were all neatly organized, and the included instructions, while concise, were remarkably clear․ I appreciated the attention to detail – even the small parts were clearly labeled and packaged․ My initial concern was the weight; it’s noticeably heavier than the previous transmission, but that added heft translated into a reassuring sense of quality․
Installation, however, proved more challenging than I initially expected․ While the instructions were helpful, I encountered a few unexpected snags․ The bellhousing alignment, for example, required more finesse than I anticipated․ I spent a good hour wrestling with it before achieving a perfect fit․ This wasn’t a fault of the transmission itself, more a testament to the precision engineering․ Getting the shifter linkage adjusted correctly also took some time․ I ended up consulting a few online forums and watching several YouTube videos before I found the optimal setting․ The learning curve was steeper than I anticipated, but the outcome was worth the effort․
Once everything was in place, I fired up the engine․ The initial engagement was smooth, and the gears shifted with a satisfying precision․ There was a slight whine noticeable under load, which I initially attributed to the newness of the components․ However, after consulting with my mechanic, Charlie, he assured me it was within acceptable parameters for a freshly installed unit․ Overall, the initial setup was a blend of satisfaction and frustration․ The quality was undeniable, but the installation process demanded patience and attention to detail․ I felt a sense of accomplishment once everything was correctly installed and functioning smoothly․
On-Track Performance⁚ The Good
Taking “The Comet” out onto the track with the new Legends transmission was exhilarating․ The first thing I noticed was the immediate improvement in acceleration․ The gear ratios were perfectly matched to my engine’s power band, allowing for smooth, powerful acceleration out of each turn․ Gone were the hesitant shifts and lost momentum I experienced with the old transmission․ The shifts were crisp and precise, almost instantaneous, allowing me to maintain my speed and momentum through the corners․ This improved my lap times significantly; I shaved nearly two seconds off my best time on my first outing!
The durability of the transmission was also impressive․ I pushed the car hard, really testing its limits, and it held up flawlessly․ No slipping, no grinding, just consistent, reliable performance․ This gave me a newfound confidence in my driving, allowing me to focus less on the mechanicals and more on my line and speed․ The improved reliability meant I could concentrate on improving my driving technique rather than worrying about potential transmission failures․ I even managed to hold off Ricardo in the final lap, something I wouldn’t have dared to attempt with my old transmission․
Furthermore, the improved feel of the shifter was a game changer․ The short-throw shifter provided precise control, allowing for quick and accurate shifts․ This enhanced my driving experience considerably, allowing for a more engaging and responsive driving experience․ It felt like an extension of my own body, reacting instantly to my commands․ The overall responsiveness of the entire drivetrain was greatly improved, making for a much more enjoyable and rewarding driving experience․ The Legends transmission truly transformed “The Comet” from a decent racer into a real contender․
On-Track Performance⁚ Areas for Improvement
While the Legends transmission significantly improved “The Comet’s” performance, a few areas could be refined․ Initially, I experienced some minor notching during aggressive downshifts, particularly under heavy braking․ It wasn’t a major issue, but it was noticeable and slightly unsettling․ I suspect this might be related to the linkage adjustment; a more precise adjustment might alleviate this․ I plan to experiment with different linkage configurations to see if I can eliminate this minor imperfection․
Another area for potential improvement lies in the noise level․ Under high load, the transmission emits a noticeable whine, especially in higher gears․ While not excessively loud, it’s audible above the engine and exhaust noise, and it could be distracting during long races․ It’s not a mechanical issue, more of an audible characteristic, but a quieter option would be preferable․ Perhaps a different gear oil with improved noise-dampening properties could help mitigate this․ I’ll be exploring different oil viscosities to see if that makes a difference․
Finally, while the shifter is precise, I found the throw a bit longer than I’d ideally prefer for quick, consecutive shifts․ This is more of a personal preference, and it didn’t hinder my performance significantly․ However, for extremely tight, technical tracks, a shorter throw might provide a slight advantage․ I’m considering exploring aftermarket shifters to see if a shorter-throw option is available and compatible with the Legends transmission․ Overall, these are minor drawbacks to what is otherwise a very high-performing transmission․
Maintenance and Upkeep
Maintaining the Legends transmission has been surprisingly straightforward․ My initial concerns about the complexity of upkeep proved unfounded․ The transmission’s robust design seems to require minimal intervention․ I’ve followed the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule, which primarily involves regular fluid changes․ I opted for a high-quality synthetic gear oil, and I change it every 500 miles of hard track use․ This ensures the transmission remains clean and properly lubricated, preventing premature wear and tear․ The fluid changes themselves are relatively quick and easy, requiring only basic tools and minimal mechanical knowledge․ I even managed to perform my first oil change myself, following a helpful YouTube tutorial from a fellow Legends racer, “Gearhead Gary․”
Beyond fluid changes, I’ve focused on regular inspections․ I visually check the linkage for any signs of wear or damage after each race weekend․ I also check for any leaks or unusual noises․ So far, everything has remained in excellent condition․ The robust construction of the transmission is evident in its resilience․ I’ve pushed it hard during several races, including a particularly grueling 200-mile endurance event, and it performed flawlessly․ The only additional maintenance I’ve performed has been a thorough cleaning of the exterior after particularly muddy races․ This keeps the transmission looking good and prevents the buildup of dirt and grime that could potentially interfere with its operation․
In short, the Legends transmission’s maintenance requirements are minimal, making it an attractive option for both experienced and novice racers․ Its robust design and straightforward service procedures have significantly reduced my downtime and allowed me to focus more on driving and less on wrenching․ This is a huge plus for someone like me, who values track time above all else․ The ease of maintenance has been a pleasant surprise and a significant contributor to my overall positive experience with this transmission․
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
After several months of intense use in my Legends car, “The Comet,” I’m extremely happy with the performance and reliability of this transmission․ It’s exceeded my expectations in every way․ The precise shifting, smooth operation, and robust construction have made it a pleasure to use․ The relatively low maintenance requirements are a significant advantage, freeing up my time and resources for other aspects of racing․ I’ve experienced no issues whatsoever, and the transmission has consistently performed flawlessly under pressure․
I wholeheartedly recommend this transmission to anyone looking for a reliable and high-performing unit for their Legends car․ The initial investment is well worth it, considering its durability and ease of maintenance․ The performance gains alone justify the cost, but the peace of mind knowing I have a transmission I can depend on is invaluable․ For someone like me who prioritizes consistent performance and minimal downtime, this transmission has been a game-changer․ It’s allowed me to focus on improving my driving skills rather than constantly worrying about mechanical issues․
My only suggestion would be to ensure you have a good mechanic who is familiar with Legends transmissions for the initial installation․ While the installation isn’t overly complex, having someone experienced can prevent potential issues and ensure a smooth setup․ Beyond that, regular fluid changes and visual inspections are all that’s needed to keep this transmission running smoothly for years to come․ I’ve had a fantastic experience with this transmission, and I’m confident that others will feel the same․ It’s a top-notch piece of equipment that significantly enhances the overall racing experience․