Passon A-855 5 Spd Trans ?

[65Fury440]

FWIW
I bought my trans from 5SR by GFI - Home (5speedmuscle.com)
I dealt with Seth Garrett.
Decent dude.
Had one in stock, shipped with tax was 6k.
Spoke to him about some of the reservations I had with the problems the FABO member had, he had a satisfactory response.
We will see how it goes.
700 ft lbs should cover about anything most cars will dish out.

He stated there was a change in that they were just the manufacturer, and marketing was being handled by Passon. GFI is taking a more active role up front now, that, if I understood properly, are trying to streamline everything.
He had me a trans packed nicely at my door in a week.

 

[68Dart470]

OK, anybody used these, any good ?
Anyone PLANNING on one of these ?
Reviews ?

I mean considering most of the other OD conversions being such a royal P.I.T.A (IMO), this may be the ticket for a no hassle conversion in the Mopars ?

https://www.passonperformance.com/c...son-performance-a-855-five-speed-transmission

I'd look at the TKX from Tremec. It's a five speed in a four speed sized case. Built around Muncie layout I'm sure due to them being the majority of upgrades for this. But I'm sure it'd work well for us too.

 

[RemCharger]

I'd look at the TKX from Tremec. It's a five speed in a four speed sized case. Built around Muncie layout I'm sure due to them being the majority of upgrades for this. But I'm sure it'd work well for us too.

I had to look those up. They are just another 5 liter trans variant.

 

[65Fury440]

I had to look those up. They are just another 5 liter trans variant.

My thought was by the time you upgraded them to hit the 700 ft lb level, you'd be about the same money.
The other thing is, any Mopar only vendor, or website supporter.
Porter Racing Heads
AR engineering
Dr Diff
Brewers
Passon
Etc
They get my dollar whenever possible.
May come back to bite me in the ***, hopefully not.

 

[biomedtechguy]

TKX from Tremec

EDIT: I greatly underestimated the torque handling claims of the TKX transmission, and it has been pointed out that it's rated at 600 ft lbs torque, not the 400 I thought mistakenly.
Thanks @rolling_Thunder

(regarding the Passon a855 Five Speed) 700 ft lbs should cover about anything most cars will dish out.

I've told my 541 builder to aim for 700 ft lbs torque over as wide and flat a RPM range as possible. I intend to test my Passon 855 torque capacity. THAT is one big reason why I went with the Passon. It was a straight up bolt in replacement for my 18 spline "hemi" 4 speed. I am hanging on to the 833 as backup if my 855 ever requires a "service event" that may have it out of commission for a while...
If the 855 ever breaks from being overpowered, I would consider options if they exist to strengthen the affected part(s) BUT at that point I may just move on to a G-Force, Jericho, or ????
Hopefully I'll never find out, because I REALLY like my 855 5 speed!

 

[rolling_Thunder]

I'd look at it scattered into a thousand pieces between the starting line and the 60 ft mark, IF it made it out of the water box...
Nothing against anyone who wants a small transmission that will probably fit nice, but I believe it's rated for 400 Ft Lbs torque, and my factory stock 6bbl rating is almost 100 ft lbs over that.

TKX is rated at 600 ft lbs ---

The T-56 Magnum is rated at 700 ft lbs as well... just in case you frag the 855

 

[biomedtechguy]

TKX is rated at 600 ft lbs ---
The T-56 Magnum is rated at 700 ft lbs as well... just in case you frag the 855

Thank you, and I edited my post accordingly.
The Passon looks VERY "industrial grade" in its outward appearance, especially the case. When I got mine, it was as if the Hosts of Heaven delivered it, because I was so excited and happy to get one....I mean to get mine.
I feel really bad for those who have had problems, some EPIC in scope and nature, but I'm very grateful I haven't, and I am absolutely going to use it exactly as intended. On the highway, road, and race track. I am not going to baby it or that defeats some critical aspects of it that made me choose it, and that kind of money doesn't come easy for me.

 

[moparedtn]

FWIW
I bought my trans from 5SR by GFI - Home (5speedmuscle.com)
I dealt with Seth Garrett.
Decent dude.
Had one in stock, shipped with tax was 6k.
Spoke to him about some of the reservations I had with the problems the FABO member had, he had a satisfactory response.
We will see how it goes.
700 ft lbs should cover about anything most cars will dish out.

He stated there was a change in that they were just the manufacturer, and marketing was being handled by Passon. GFI is taking a more active role up front now, that, if I understood properly, are trying to streamline everything.
He had me a trans packed nicely at my door in a week.

Also FWIW - website indicates "sold out" of both Mopar variants as of just now...

 

[moparedtn]

1. Anything 4-speed, I deal with Brewer's. Period.
2. I won't ever again deal with Passon. On anything. Lesson learned.
3. The 5-speeds may well be worth over $6k to some folks.
It isn't to me, as much as I'd love one.

 

[biomedtechguy]

Brewer's....from my very first interaction with them, the most recent chat I had with them about a scatter shield last summer, and EVERY point in between has been just fantastic, exceptional, more than I asked for customer service!

 

[Chargered]

Thank you, and I edited my post accordingly.
The Passon looks VERY "industrial grade" in its outward appearance, especially the case. When I got mine, it was as if the Hosts of Heaven delivered it, because I was so excited and happy to get one....I mean to get mine.
I feel really bad for those who have had problems, some EPIC in scope and nature, but I'm very grateful I haven't, and I am absolutely going to use it exactly as intended. On the highway, road, and race track. I am not going to baby it or that defeats some critical aspects of it that made me choose it, and that kind of money doesn't come easy for me.

Did you buy yours from Passon or somewhere else? I like the idea of a drop in without having to butcher your car.

 

[Kern Dog]

Did you buy yours from Passon or somewhere else? I like the idea of a drop in without having to butcher your car.

"Butcher" is a strong word.
The SST 5 speed kits using the Tremec TKO600 like I used didn't require any "Butcher" work in my opinion. I did have to cut out a section but a patch was provided and easily fabricated to close the hole. It was non structural.
The new series of TKX is not as tall and is supposed to be slimmer than the TKO so any tunnel work is likely to be less invasive.
I didn't think that I would ever convert my Charger to a manual transmission. Ever.
I wanted lower cruising speeds without resorting to a 2.76 axle gear.
I wanted to stoke my interest in the car. I've owned it 21 years and I need to do things every so often to keep my interest up. A 4 speed conversion wouldn't have been enough for me. That 5th gear adds a LOT of value.
a 2.87 1st gear and a .64 5th gear means strong acceleration at all speeds AND lower cruising rpms. MY kit was just under $6000 shipped to my home. The kit included everything to convert an automatic car to the Tremec 5 speed. There was no 5 year wait. The parts started arriving less than 2 weeks after I ordered them.

 

[biomedtechguy]

Did you buy yours from Passon or somewhere else?

From Passon.
If you are "thinking" of getting one, you may want to see what the timespan is between "Here's my payment" and "Here's your tracking number" is.
I have no idea what that gap is now. Could be none, or could see quite a few birthdays come and go.
If I had a #s matching car of high value, like my 70 V-code Roadrunner would be IF it had a #s matching drivetrain, the 855 OR any other unit that requires ZERO cutting and/or patching is THE only choice.
I chose to have USCT subframe connectors, torque boxes, and a few other strengthening parts WELDED in to my car, so non-reversibility is not an issue for me.
BUT
I chose the 855 because:
Its claimed strength..
It's the baby of an individual that is a 100% MOPAR supporter.
Bolts right in.

 

[65Fury440]

Also FWIW - website indicates "sold out" of both Mopar variants as of just now...

FWIW - I emailed [email protected], he had one out in a week.

I'm not sure exactly what the situation is with the dealers, but, he indicated to me GFI was handling more, most, or all of the dealings now.
Some links in that chain sounded pretty stretched, my experience thus far has been positive.

Nicely crated, good instructions.
6K is more than any of us want to spend, which 5 speed is the strongest was my deciding criteria.

They all work good sitting on the garage floor, we shall see. If it's a turd, this thread will be the first to know.

 

[moparedtn]

"Butcher" is a strong word.
The SST 5 speed kits using the Tremec TKO600 like I used didn't require any "Butcher" work in my opinion. I did have to cut out a section but a patch was provided and easily fabricated to close the hole. It was non structural.
The new series of TKX is not as tall and is supposed to be slimmer than the TKO so any tunnel work is likely to be less invasive.
I didn't think that I would ever convert my Charger to a manual transmission. Ever.
I wanted lower cruising speeds without resorting to a 2.76 axle gear.
I wanted to stoke my interest in the car. I've owned it 21 years and I need to do things every so often to keep my interest up. A 4 speed conversion wouldn't have been enough for me. That 5th gear adds a LOT of value.
a 2.87 1st gear and a .64 5th gear means strong acceleration at all speeds AND lower cruising rpms. MY kit was just under $6000 shipped to my home. The kit included everything to convert an automatic car to the Tremec 5 speed. There was no 5 year wait. The parts started arriving less than 2 weeks after I ordered them.

If I'm doing the swap now, this is how I'd do it. This transmission was designed and built as a 5-speed;
it was not a "re-engineered" 4 speed.
The Silver Sport folks over here in Rockford got it all figured pretty well.

 

[Chargered]

From Passon.
If you are "thinking" of getting one, you may want to see what the timespan is between "Here's my payment" and "Here's your tracking number" is.
I have no idea what that gap is now. Could be none, or could see quite a few birthdays come and go.
If I had a #s matching car of high value, like my 70 V-code Roadrunner would be IF it had a #s matching drivetrain, the 855 OR any other unit that requires ZERO cutting and/or patching is THE only choice.
I chose to have USCT subframe connectors, torque boxes, and a few other strengthening parts WELDED in to my car, so non-reversibility is not an issue for me.
BUT
I chose the 855 because:
Its claimed strength..
It's the baby of an individual that is a 100% MOPAR supporter.
Bolts right in.

Mine is an original D21 car so I like the idea of keeping the basic 833 and getting the 5th gear. No point in cutting up an original 4 speed car when I can get the 5th gear as a drop in. Don't mind waiting a few years......I'm in no hurry and always prefer American Made.

 

[biomedtechguy]

Don't mind waiting a few years......I'm in no hurry and always prefer American Made

IF you REALLY want one, find out NOW (or Monday ) what is involved in getting one. Anything other than making contact NOW is a roll of the dice.

 

[rolling_Thunder]

I'm not knocking Passion Performance at all - I've worked with them before and with Brewers with no issues with either. I am, by all accounts, a scrooge when it comes to my cars and try to find the cheapest (not easiest) way of doing things. The 855 looks to be a great transmission - but $6K is a tough pill to swallow for me for a 5-speed. Hell even the TKO / TKX is too much for me for a 5-speed... I ended up doing my 6-speed swap for relatively cheap. I got the T-56 from a Viper years ago for $400 with a known 3/4 shift problem. I purchased the parts needed to fix it and disassembled it and got it back together. The bellhousing I used a SMB with a mounted adapter plate as the Viper has a longer input shaft than the more common GM transmission. I used the ~1" difference to utilize the adapter plate. The floor did need work - but honestly unless your car is 100% original who cares? most of you guys have done rust repair -- patching a floor section later on if wanted is not any different IMO.

Anyway - ended up doing the whole T-56 deal, bell, adapter, etc for <$1000
I just look at things differently I suppose.. that other $5000 I saved built my 440 engine and bought the 8-71 set up...

 

[Challenger340]

FWIW....
only my opinion...
But I think $6K is a Frigg'in STEAL to have a Mopar style drop in 5 spd like the 855 !

 

[HawkRod]

I'm not knocking Passion Performance at all - I've worked with them before and with Brewers with no issues with either. I am, by all accounts, a scrooge when it comes to my cars and try to find the cheapest (not easiest) way of doing things. The 855 looks to be a great transmission - but $6K is a tough pill to swallow for me for a 5-speed. Hell even the TKO / TKX is too much for me for a 5-speed... I ended up doing my 6-speed swap for relatively cheap. I got the T-56 from a Viper years ago for $400 with a known 3/4 shift problem. I purchased the parts needed to fix it and disassembled it and got it back together. The bellhousing I used a SMB with a mounted adapter plate as the Viper has a longer input shaft than the more common GM transmission. I used the ~1" difference to utilize the adapter plate. The floor did need work - but honestly unless your car is 100% original who cares? most of you guys have done rust repair -- patching a floor section later on if wanted is not any different IMO.

Anyway - ended up doing the whole T-56 deal, bell, adapter, etc for <$1000
I just look at things differently I suppose.. that other $5000 I saved built my 440 engine and bought the 8-71 set up...

FWIW....
only my opinion...
But I think $6K is a Frigg'in STEAL to have a Mopar style drop in 5 spd like the 855 !

And this ^^^ is why the car hobby is so cool. There is lots of room for both opinions and cars/ builds. They are all cool and each has its place!