Pinion angle question

[MB750]

Ok, so I've read all the good threads about pinion angle. I'm also very familiar with doing the math since I've done it on a few vehicles in my past. My question is Cobra specific.

My T5 output shaft is pointing 1.4 degrees down. Just for measurements sake I adjusted the 3rd link so the pinion flange is at zero. 1 to 2 degrees down compared to the trans output is ideal since the axle rotates up when I gas it. And they're offset vertically about an inch. From viewing the whole operation from the driver's side everything looks good. But...

The trans output shaft is also about an inch to the passenger side compared the the pinion flange. This throws the math all caddywampus. If everything was in the same vertical plane than it's easy math but now we have some 3 dimensional shenanigans to consider.

The trans mount and engine mounts are all centered and there's no stress forcing anything to the right. When I installed the engine/trans I noticed there was a bit of a favor for the trans to be towards the passenger side of the tunnel. If I forced everything to center there was a LOT of shear stress on the engine mount bolts, so I let it relax back to the right side of the tunnel. Turns out the trans mount A-frame lines up perfectly like this as well so I'm even more inclined to think it's normal.

So, is it normal for the trans to be a little to the right of center in the trans tunnel?

[egchewy79]

I have a SBF and a T5 w/ a solid 8.8.
The engine location is shifted a couple inches to the PS, so your tailshaft on your trans won't be in the middle of the tunnel. In addition, I also noticed that my trans was rotated maybe 5-10* clockwise when sitting in the cockpit. Upon further reading, I guess this is normal. At first I thought there was a tab that needed trimmed off the trans, but others have found this same issue as well.
measure angles at the crank and the face of the pinion to make your life easier.

[Jeff Kleiner]

The engine and trans are offset to the right by about an inch by design. Your calculation for pinion angle is correct; you want the front of the pinion shaft to angle downward approximately 1.5-2 degrees in relation to the transmission output. You should be good to go!

Jeff

[MB750]

I have a SBF and a T5 w/ a solid 8.8.
The engine location is shifted a couple inches to the PS, so your tailshaft on your trans won't be in the middle of the tunnel. In addition, I also noticed that my trans was rotated maybe 5-10* clockwise when sitting in the cockpit. Upon further reading, I guess this is normal. At first I thought there was a tab that needed trimmed off the trans, but others have found this same issue as well.
measure angles at the crank and the face of the pinion to make your life easier.

Yes, I noticed the rotation of the trans as well, but also noticed the mount on the tailsection was level with the chassis, so I figured it was normal. Since I installed the A-frame and the trans mount lined up perfectly I became less concerned. Just that offset to the right had me wondering what's up? The manual says nothing.

BTW, I've got the same powertrain as you (SBF/T5/8.8). It's out of an SN-95 though so everything was about an inch longer so I had to cut down my driveshaft.

[MB750]

The engine and trans are offset to the right by about an inch by design. Your calculation for pinion angle is correct; you want the front of the pinion shaft to angle downward approximately 1.5-2 degrees in relation to the transmission output. You should be good to go!

Jeff

Thanks for the confirmation Jeff, I appreciate it.

[egchewy79]

Yes, I noticed the rotation of the trans as well, but also noticed the mount on the tailsection was level with the chassis, so I figured it was normal. Since I installed the A-frame and the trans mount lined up perfectly I became less concerned. Just that offset to the right had me wondering what's up? The manual says nothing.

BTW, I've got the same powertrain as you (SBF/T5/8.8). It's out of an SN-95 though so everything was about an inch longer so I had to cut down my driveshaft.

saw this on your build thread. what a pain. looks like you did a masterful job cutting and welding it back together.

[MB750]

saw this on your build thread. what a pain. looks like you did a masterful job cutting and welding it back together.

Thanks for the compliment. Yea, that SN-95 has tossed me some curve balls but I got the whole car for $2500 so I still think it was worth it. For this project, my labor is free and I like spending time in the garage. I've since rebuilt everything I took off the SN-95 and ended up pennies on the dollar compared to what new sourcing would have cost me.

I'm not a big fan of paying for something I need done when I can do it myself (often times with better attention to detail), and it's done exactly the way I want it. So far the only labor I've paid for on this car is the engine block machining, wheel powder coating, and eventually the driveshaft balancing. And the silver lining is I learned something new in the process.

[rich grsc]

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