Albins or S5D for New Funco

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Dockmaster

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I'm in the que and will have a new Funco built starting this fall. I will need to make a decision on what trans to go with here shortly in order to get a trans in time to support the build. I've already selected the engine and have the long lead items ordered there. The car will be a GTU based chassis built in a 2 seat configuration. Engine will be a LS7 - 427 RHS block, Franken Monster heads with a 4.5 Whipple. It will be tuned for 91 pump gas and engine builder says it will make about 1k hp at crank and likely just a bit under 800 hp at the wheels. My trans options are either an S5D or Albins 5 speed. Sean at Weddle has weighed in and suggested I would pushing the limits of the hp and torque rating of the S5D. Others have suggested the ratings are very conservative. I have talked to a number of folks that own or have owned similar or near exact same cars, some with Albins and some with S5D's. Even talked to some that are pushing quite a bit more hp through an S5D. None with S5D have mentioned any issues or complaints. No complaints from those with Albins either other than a few comments on cost of parts when due for service. 

I'm aware that the S4D has wider gears as compared to the S5D and thus stronger. However, a 5 speed is required so the S4D isn't an option. 

I was planning to go with the S5D as I felt the only real issue might be future resale when and if the time comes to sell. Then I saw I recent ad for a near-new Funco for sale with an S5D. The first three comments on the ad were A-holes berating the asking price and sale because it doesn't have an Albins. Even though I think it's BS for people to comment like that, it got me thinking that the resale issue may be a bigger deal than I thought. 

This isn't an issue of having the $$ for the Albins vs S5D. The issue is if it necessary the spend the extra $$ for the Albins both in initial purchase and future servicing. 

Thanks in advance for your input. 

 
Dockmaster said:
I was planning to go with the S5D as I felt the only real issue might be future resale when and if the time comes to sell. Then I saw I recent ad for a near-new Funco for sale with an S5D. The first three comments on the ad were A-holes berating the asking price and sale because it doesn't have an Albins. Even though I think it's BS for people to comment like that, it got me thinking that the resale issue may be a bigger deal than I thought. 

This isn't an issue of having the $$ for the Albins vs S5D. The issue is if it necessary the spend the extra $$ for the Albins both in initial purchase and future servicing. 

Thanks in advance for your input. 
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I hate the crapping on for sale ads.  The social media aspect seems to be ramped with it and its always from people that will never buy or want to dig into the deal to disrupt the sale.  If money is no object on this dream build then go Albins.  I personally think the S4D if geared right will be fine. 800 WHP will be fun and if your a duner it will be just fine. If you want to do wheelies everywhere and show off at the drags, play in the HP wars and abuse this car then go with the Albins.  I also don't see a need to go 100+ mph in a pure dune car.

 
Curious as to why you feel that you need a 5 speed?

 
Resale=Albins

I like my S5D and it has been good to me, but extra 15-20K right?

 
FOG said:
Curious as to why you feel that you need a 5 speed?
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Good question. I'm going with the recommendation of Funco and they are pretty adamant about a 5 speed. They have this dialed for a 5-speed with R&P and gear ratios they say work well. The recommend a close ratio between 2-3-4 I believe.  

 
Call Kevin McMullen.

He can at least tell you how many Albins vs S5D he gets that need fixing.

I can tell you from friends with Albins, they are always pricey when they get opened up.

 
I went from an 091 to an Albins so I've never personally owned a car with a Mendeola.  I've had my car since 2015 and I've had the Albins gone through twice. Each time it was $4k for new 1st, 2nd w/mainshaft, 3rd and 5th gears.  Albins was awesome and warrantied 5th gear which saved me $1k.

If money isn't an issue then get the Albins.

 
My friend had the Albins in his 1000+hp Funco.  He drove it really hard and never an issue with the trans.  He ended up selling his rail.  

 
The limiting factor on an S5D is the 2nd gear. 1000 HP is quite a lot for that gear that gets used pretty hard. 800 at the crank is about as much as they should get put through them. 

I have always pushed 4 speeds into sand cars unless they are running a 4 or 6 cylinder. Although some do like having the tall 5th gear for cruising, how often do you really find yourself using 5th gear? 

Think of it this way: The top of 3rd gear at 6000 RPM is typically about 70-80 MPH, and the top of 4th gear is about 110-120 MPH. How often do any of you actually hit these speeds unless you're running the drags? 

98% of the people I talk to have never broken 100 MPH in their 1000+ HP cars. 

@Grant@Funco The S4D is a good option in these high powered cars. Even those with Albins 5-speeds only use 2nd/3rd/4th gears.

 
How much resale do you think the Albins will add vs the Mendeola ?  Even if money is no object, I dont think the Albins is worth 15-20k more.  Plus more expensive to repair, and it will need some love eventually.

Just My opinion.

 
Sean@Weddle said:
The limiting factor on an S5D is the 2nd gear. 1000 HP is quite a lot for that gear that gets used pretty hard. 800 at the crank is about as much as they should get put through them. 

I have always pushed 4 speeds into sand cars unless they are running a 4 or 6 cylinder. Although some do like having the tall 5th gear for cruising, how often do you really find yourself using 5th gear? 

Think of it this way: The top of 3rd gear at 6000 RPM is typically about 70-80 MPH, and the top of 4th gear is about 110-120 MPH. How often do any of you actually hit these speeds unless you're running the drags? 

98% of the people I talk to have never broken 100 MPH in their 1000+ HP cars. 

@Grant@Funco The S4D is a good option in these high powered cars. Even those with Albins 5-speeds only use 2nd/3rd/4th gears.
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Man I have been really babying my car.  6K RPM I dont think I have ever seen. I try to be around 4 to 4500 in my 440 with a 4.0. @Dockmaster you know my answer....

 
Sean@Weddle said:
The limiting factor on an S5D is the 2nd gear. 1000 HP is quite a lot for that gear that gets used pretty hard. 800 at the crank is about as much as they should get put through them. 

I have always pushed 4 speeds into sand cars unless they are running a 4 or 6 cylinder. Although some do like having the tall 5th gear for cruising, how often do you really find yourself using 5th gear? 

Think of it this way: The top of 3rd gear at 6000 RPM is typically about 70-80 MPH, and the top of 4th gear is about 110-120 MPH. How often do any of you actually hit these speeds unless you're running the drags? 

98% of the people I talk to have never broken 100 MPH in their 1000+ HP cars. 

@Grant@Funco The S4D is a good option in these high powered cars. Even those with Albins 5-speeds only use 2nd/3rd/4th gears.
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Thanks Sean. Grant told me they like to gear them on the lower side so as to be living in 3rd - 4th gear more often. I believe this also gives a beefier R&P. So something like:

     R&P 4:36   1st 3:27     2nd  2:21   3rd 1:71   4th1:37   5th  1:14

I also believe the Dune Sport paddles are on the shorter side which lead to lower effective gearing as well? 

 
URCLEVER said:
Man I have been really babying my car.  6K RPM I dont think I have ever seen. I try to be around 4 to 4500 in my 440 with a 4.0. @Dockmaster you know my answer....
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And I'm curious, what gears do you find yourself in more often when duning? 

 
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