Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list?

Posted By: AlexP

Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/15/14 05:32 PM

I've got a friend who wants one instead of a TKO.

Can we buy one? I sent an email to Jaime (albeit early this morning, and haven't heard back.

Thanks,

Alex

Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/15/14 05:52 PM

Yes there's a list, yes there's a wait, a long one. Jamie just got back from Carlisle and is getting caught back up. I just spoke with him, he doesnt answer the phone very often but if you leave a message he'll call back.

Posted By: AlexP

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/15/14 06:12 PM

He said he's got 400 orders and its over a year out.

I really don't want to put a TKO in my friends car, but seems like we don't have a choice.

Posted By: Dan@Hotchkis

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/15/14 07:02 PM

Quote:

He said he's got 400 orders and its over a year out.

I really don't want to put a TKO in my friends car, but seems like we don't have a choice.

If you are stuck plugging the TKO in, I'd suggest having Bowler do a "Road Race Stage 2" rebuild on it before any serious playing happens. Makes the best out of a bad situation with the TKO. The TKO isn't terrible, but it needs a lot of help.
With all that said, I've been looking at the Legend SS700 for my Road Runner if I end up keeping the car. This is the last time I'm rebuilding this TKO600 I've got right now.

Posted By: jon01

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/15/14 07:16 PM

What kind of trouble are you guys having with them?
I've had a couple in Mustangs and while they shifted hard high in the RPM, I couldn't break them.

Posted By: Dan@Hotchkis

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/15/14 07:33 PM

Biggest issues are:
- high speed shifting (6000-7000rpms)up and down shifts. (synchro issue)
- Shift fork bushings breaking (factrot are made of PLASTIC! brass replacements are available)
- Shift rod o-rings are commonly cut, causing bad case venting through shifter instead of case vent
- Manufacturing inconsistencies...no two trans feel the same. I've had some that feel like crap and never eat parts, and I've had some that were nice and tight and shift great, but eat parts.

T-56 is the better choice, and the SS700'd feel fantastic, however no one makes a bolt in kit, and they seem like they will both need serious body mods to clear.

On a personal note, my Road Runner is as far as I am willing to go with a real RM21 car. If I decide to go any further, I'll sell the Road Runner and get a Satellite. I like my car too much to hack it up.

Posted By: AlexP

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/15/14 07:33 PM

Quote:

Quote:

He said he's got 400 orders and its over a year out.

I really don't want to put a TKO in my friends car, but seems like we don't have a choice.

If you are stuck plugging the TKO in, I'd suggest having Bowler do a "Road Race Stage 2" rebuild on it before any serious playing happens. Makes the best out of a bad situation with the TKO. The TKO isn't terrible, but it needs a lot of help.
With all that said, I've been looking at the Legend SS700 for my Road Runner if I end up keeping the car. This is the last time I'm rebuilding this TKO600 I've got right now.

It will be corner carving with a stock 6.4 and 3.55 truetrac 8.75. No tracktime, just the canyons north of austin.

I've also suggested the Hotchkis TVS for him.

Stock 6.4 470HP.
TTI headers
TKO-600
3.55 742 case
My old cop car 11.75 brakes with FF pads
Firm Feel 11x3 shoes
Hotchkis TVS.
Hotchkis Shocks
Borgeson Box

Just a daily driver and light pro touring car. Probably end up with 17inch Magnum 500's.

Attached picture 8209195-sideview.jpg

Posted By: AlexP

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/15/14 07:35 PM

Quote:

Biggest issues are:
- high speed shifting (6000-7000rpms)up and down shifts. (synchro issue)
- Shift fork bushings breaking (factrot are made of PLASTIC! brass replacements are available)
- Shift rod o-rings are commonly cut, causing bad case venting through shifter instead of case vent
- Manufacturing inconsistencies...no two trans feel the same. I've had some that feel like crap and never eat parts, and I've had some that were nice and tight and shift great, but eat parts.

T-56 is the better choice, and the SS700'd feel fantastic, however no one makes a bolt in kit, and they seem like they will both need serious body mods to clear.

On a personal note, my Road Runner is as far as I am willing to go with a real RM21 car. If I decide to go any further, I'll sell the Road Runner and get a Satellite. I like my car too much to hack it up.

I feel your pain my Roadrunner is a Faux-runner. It's been cloned to a roadrunner since before I bought it and I never cared otherwise.

Having no fender tag or pedigree is a blessing. I could cut my car for a T56 in a heartbeat.

Posted By: RylisPro

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/15/14 07:37 PM

I may be a little biased but,
Why wait for a Passon 5 speed
when you can get a T56 Magnum right now!?

Posted By: Dan@Hotchkis

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/15/14 07:54 PM

Quote:

I may be a little biased but,
Why wait for a Passon 5 speed
when you can get a T56 Magnum right now!?

I think the biggest draw to that trans is bolt in using factory bits. Kinda nice if you want the car to look "right" but cruise nice.

Posted By: RylisPro

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/15/14 08:17 PM

Most showcars have a carpet that covers the trans tunnel anyways. No reason why a T56 Magnum can't look nice.

Another benefit is the availablity. If you ever break a T56 Magnum at the track road racing you can get another relatively easy.
I don't know about the Passon

Posted By: jcc

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/15/14 09:11 PM

"Bowler do a "Road Race Stage 2"

Who is this and how to contact and any others tried this and the cost? Did i leave anything out?

Posted By: Dan@Hotchkis

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/15/14 11:28 PM

Quote:

"Bowler do a "Road Race Stage 2"

Who is this and how to contact and any others tried this and the cost? Did i leave anything out?

One of the biggest/best in the business. They rebuild all of ours, and they handle the abuse great.
https://bowlertransmissions.com/

Posted By: dangina

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/16/14 08:11 AM

Quote:

I may be a little biased but,
Why wait for a Passon 5 speed
when you can get a T56 Magnum right now!?

if I had a satellite I'd be doing this right now, I'd feel to bad chopping up a perfectly good roadrunner, I'm currently on the waiting list but have no idea what number their at now

Posted By: 72Swinger

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/16/14 11:03 AM

They make new floorpans and t-bar crossmembers for pretty much every body style out there. If the next owner wants to put them in to have a stock appearing floor, he or she can be my guest.

Posted By: patrick

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/16/14 06:41 PM

Quote:

Quote:

He said he's got 400 orders and its over a year out.

I really don't want to put a TKO in my friends car, but seems like we don't have a choice.

If you are stuck plugging the TKO in, I'd suggest having Bowler do a "Road Race Stage 2" rebuild on it before any serious playing happens. Makes the best out of a bad situation with the TKO. The TKO isn't terrible, but it needs a lot of help.
With all that said, I've been looking at the Legend SS700 for my Road Runner if I end up keeping the car. This is the last time I'm rebuilding this TKO600 I've got right now.

dumb thought, how about getting Jamie's OD gearset for an A833, and putting yourself on the waiting list for the A855? might even be able to work out a deal to trade in the 4 speed gearset when the 855 is ready? that way you can (eventually) get the transmission you want, while enjoying the car in the meantime without cutting it up.

Posted By: Dan@Hotchkis

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/16/14 07:00 PM

Quote:

dumb thought, how about getting Jamie's OD gearset for an A833, and putting yourself on the waiting list for the A855? might even be able to work out a deal to trade in the 4 speed gearset when the 855 is ready? that way you can (eventually) get the transmission you want, while enjoying the car in the meantime without cutting it up.

I'm not the early adopter type at my expense. I like to see that something works before I start throwing money at stuff. To revert my whole car back to factory driveline would cost over 4 times what it costs me to have the TKO rebuilt, and twice as much as the Legend 5 speed. Both of which have a lot of R&D behind them. If Jamie wants me to put his transmissions through some torture tests for R&D at his cost I wouldn't turn down the opportunity.

Posted By: RTSE4ME

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/16/14 10:15 PM

Would it be that difficult to put a SS700 in a b-body?
Did Kiesler do any mods to the tranny to make it fit b-bodies? I know they had to mod the shifter for e-bodies.
Quicktime makes a bell so all you would need to do is fab a cross member.

Posted By: Consulier

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/16/14 11:03 PM

Quote:

Would it be that difficult to put a SS700 in a b-body?
Did Kiesler do any mods to the tranny to make it fit b-bodies? I know they had to mod the shifter for e-bodies.
Quicktime makes a bell so all you would need to do is fab a cross member.

I have a RS-600 in my Satellite and it fit without any cutting at all. SS-700 is the same case dimensions (I believe), so it should be a bolt in.

I believe the new Keisler (Silver whatever... ) has bellhousings available if you don't want the Quicktime. I called there a couple weeks ago and they had big block, but no small block bells.

Posted By: Dan@Hotchkis

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/17/14 02:23 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Would it be that difficult to put a SS700 in a b-body?
Did Kiesler do any mods to the tranny to make it fit b-bodies? I know they had to mod the shifter for e-bodies.
Quicktime makes a bell so all you would need to do is fab a cross member.

I have a RS-600 in my Satellite and it fit without any cutting at all. SS-700 is the same case dimensions (I believe), so it should be a bolt in.

I believe the new Keisler (Silver whatever... ) has bellhousings available if you don't want the Quicktime. I called there a couple weeks ago and they had big block, but no small block bells.

I saw a Legend 700 install post here on Moparts, seemed there were some modifications to the tunnel and torsion bar cross member needed to get the driveline angle corrected.

Posted By: Skeptic

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/17/14 05:02 AM

Quote:

I'm not the early adopter type at my expense. I like to see that something works before I start throwing money at stuff. To revert my whole car back to factory driveline would cost over 4 times what it costs me to have the TKO rebuilt, and twice as much as the Legend 5 speed. Both of which have a lot of R&D behind them. If Jamie wants me to put his transmissions through some torture tests for R&D at his cost I wouldn't turn down the opportunity.

I hope you are joking...right.

'cause everything I've seen is the dude is busting his butt trying to get caught up with paying customers. I doubt he's going to comp you one for publicity. This just comes off as incredibly arrogant. Oh and NOT funny

Posted By: Dan@Hotchkis

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/17/14 05:46 AM

Quote:

I hope you are joking...right. 'cause everything I've seen is the dude is busting his butt trying to get caught up with paying customers. I doubt he's going to comp you one for publicity. This just comes off as incredibly arrogant. Oh and NOT funny

Nope dead serious. As an FYI, and not tying to be condescending, but it seems you really don't know how things in this industry work, if the company intends to build a product that is safe, reliable and works. It takes a lot of testing on a lot of peoples vehicles.
We have a specific budget for R&D. When we decide to develop a product line, like lets say the TVS we just developed for the 1st Gen Mustangs, we "borrow" a couple of customers cars for R&D. During this time we will do fitment and testing, as well as some mild upgrades if needed. When we are done with a car for R&D, the customer gets to keep the stuff. That is how it goes. Generally for us it takes a full year of testing with 3-4 vehicles per generation to ensure everything fits across the board.
I will tell you now that EVERY major company does this for R&D. Want a blower for your new challenger?
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/misc/test-vehicles/

How about a set of Stoptech brakes at cost or better for your new BMW?
http://www.stoptech.com/contact/test-vehicles-needed

Furthermore it is generally pretty good advertising to have a product on another companies R&D vehicle as they are usually featured in magazines, attend events around the country and in our case have THOUSANDS of enthusiasts get joy rides in them yearly. A lot of people call us after the fact to see what parts we use to make our cars run the way they do.
Not trying to be a jerk, just stating the facts. If you have any questions, let me know. I would tell you all that you should be signed up here
http://www.testcardatabase.com/portal/AboutUs.aspx
for a lot of really good info and opportunities, and read your mags like Hot Rod, Mopar Muscle, Car Craft etc. A lot of companies are pretty vocal when they need test cars.

Posted By: 72Swinger

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/17/14 06:20 AM

Pretty sure Jamie tested several in different cars, one was a 10 sec. A body, for at least a year or more before he sold a single one.

Posted By: patrick

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/17/14 06:30 AM

Quote:

Quote:

dumb thought, how about getting Jamie's OD gearset for an A833, and putting yourself on the waiting list for the A855? might even be able to work out a deal to trade in the 4 speed gearset when the 855 is ready? that way you can (eventually) get the transmission you want, while enjoying the car in the meantime without cutting it up.

I'm not the early adopter type at my expense. I like to see that something works before I start throwing money at stuff. To revert my whole car back to factory driveline would cost over 4 times what it costs me to have the TKO rebuilt, and twice as much as the Legend 5 speed. Both of which have a lot of R&D behind them. If Jamie wants me to put his transmissions through some torture tests for R&D at his cost I wouldn't turn down the opportunity.

sorry, my response was geared more towards AlexP's original post

Posted By: RTSE4ME

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/17/14 01:56 PM

I saw a Legend 700 install post here on Moparts, seemed there were some modifications to the tunnel and torsion bar cross member needed to get the driveline angle corrected.

I went and found that post. There were a couple installs on that post. One install used the original AT tunnel and only had to cut a hole for shifter. He did notch the t-bar cross member for speedo clearance.
The other install had to notch much more of the t-bar cross member to get the tail shaft up.
Seems like if the tail shaft housing had some minor tweeks this would be nice alternative.

Posted By: jcc

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/17/14 04:10 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I'm not the early adopter type at my expense. I like to see that something works before I start throwing money at stuff. To revert my whole car back to factory driveline would cost over 4 times what it costs me to have the TKO rebuilt, and twice as much as the Legend 5 speed. Both of which have a lot of R&D behind them. If Jamie wants me to put his transmissions through some torture tests for R&D at his cost I wouldn't turn down the opportunity.

I hope you are joking...right. 'cause everything I've seen is the dude is busting his butt trying to get caught up with paying customers. I doubt he's going to comp you one for publicity. This just comes off as incredibly arrogant. Oh and NOT funny

That comment might be just a little heavy handed, but regardless

for saying what you think.

I give a lot of credit to Jamie for sticking with this project.

Posted By: ThermoQuad

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/19/14 01:30 AM

No one is entitled to free product to test in their R & D vehicles. If you want to use the product put your money up. Jamie does not need to give you his product to test for your endorsement. His work speaks for itself.

I have tortured his other transmissions and they work wonderful. I paid him for his product and gave him lots of feedback - I even calculated shifts per lap for him. You guys have no clue how hard he works and what he did to bring this fully tortured and tortured product to the market, so quit whining and be patient.

Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/19/14 03:09 AM

Im one of the privledged who has recieved one and can tell you that its a work of art. Im so impressed with it that I got back into (the substantially long) line for another one so I can add one to my other car as well.

Carry on Jamie, we've got your back buddy!

Posted By: Chuck West

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/19/14 03:54 AM

He's an outstanding person, who works his azz off and his products, are even better!

Posted By: Dan@Hotchkis

Re: Passon A-855: is there still a waiting list? - 07/19/14 07:28 AM

Firstly, it seems that there was a loss of context or what I typed wasn't read by some folks as what I meant, so I will clearly state here that I in no way feel entitled to or am diminishing his product. However if the opportunity presented itself where I would be allowed to have one of his transmissions in one of our cars, I wouldn't turn it down.

Secondly, I regularly purchase parts from Jamie for various builds. Quite frankly, when ever we are building or repairing anything that uses factory driveline components, he is the only vendor I order from.