Reverse lockout question with Holley EFI

CobraSam

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Ok, so yes I’ve searched about this topic, but just asking for clarification.

Due to a previous owners shoddy wiring I have given up on the factory wiring in my car and installed a Holley Terminator X EFI system. My question is in regards to revers lockout. It is my understanding that the factory ecm controls the solenoid and actives it whenever it’s under 5 rpm. So now that I do not have the factory ecm, I have nothing controlling the solenoid, correct? It’s now extremely difficult to shift into reverse, so I’m assuming this to be the case.
So from my understanding I can either wire in a switch to activate it or I can either cut the spring down or replace the spring with a lighter one…? Is this correct and which method do you guys/gals recommend????

Thanks for everyone’s time and help.

Sam
 

DSG2003Mach1

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I would think the aftermarket reverse lockout box would still work. You tap the speed sender etc… this how us non factory t56 people do it

you can also run a wire to the brake light switch but I’m say you’re in 6th and touch the brake while downshifting someone could go into reverse
 

P49Y-CY

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before looking at wiring issues, i would definitely verify that your clutch cable is tight enough. difficulty getting it into reverse is a classic symptom of incorrect cable adjustment. just so that you can rule it out.
 

DSG2003Mach1

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before looking at wiring issues, i would definitely verify that your clutch cable is tight enough. difficulty getting it into reverse is a classic symptom of incorrect cable adjustment. just so that you can rule it out.

he has no way to energize the lockout solenoid with the factory computer gone, there’s a lot more shift effort into reverse because of this.
 

P49Y-CY

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he has no way to energize the lockout solenoid with the factory computer gone, there’s a lot more shift effort into reverse because of this.

oh i see. but i figured he might want to rule that out just in case.

would another way to tell might be would be - with key on/engine off, does it easily go into reverse? (clutch pedal in)
 

CobraSam

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Gents, thanks for your time. I think both of you guys have good points.
My first issue is I don’t have the ecm to power the RL solenoid, correct? So the solution to that would be but an aftermarket controller, wire a switch in, wire it from the brake light or modify the spring, correct??

P49Y-CY also brings up a good point and I actually need to look into this as well as I also installed a new McCloud RST and 26 spline input shaft. It’s been about 500 miles or so, so I definitely need to look all that over and possibly re-adjust.
 

CobraSam

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Are u saying it’s basically not needed at all? I was thinking of this too. But the last thing I wanna do is screw up my tranny when I can spend $125 and install a legit controller to handle it. I’ve already spent probably 20K on rebuilding this car. What’s another $125? Haha
I’m hesitant to modify/replace the spring because I feel it’s not ideal for the trans and more of a band-aid. (I could be wrong) Also, I’m not into the brake light thing either. Seems like kinda a pain and still not fool proof.
So I think I’ll buy the controller.
 

CobraSam

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Great question wings. To be honest I just went with what I know. My drag car (92 foxbody) has the Holley Dominator. So for me it was just go with what I know. Holley EFI has always been great for me, so I just went with it. Also I had some wiring gremlin in my injector harness so I liked how the Holley comes with all of its own wiring so I could get rid of all potential gremlins. This car had been hacked up by the previous owner, so I didn’t wanna chase electrical ghosts.
 

CobraSam

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Great question wings. To be honest I just went with what I know. My drag car (92 foxbody) has the Holley Dominator. So for me it was just go with what I know. Holley EFI has always been great for me, so I just went with it. Also I had some wiring gremlin in my injector harness so I liked how the Holley comes with all of its own wiring so I could get rid of all potential gremlins. This car had been hacked up by the previous owner, so I didn’t wanna chase electrical ghosts.
 

01yellercobra

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The Holley should have an output you can use to energize the solenoid. If you want to keep it like stock. Set it up to activate under a certain speed.

Or run a wire to the brake light switch. That's what I did when I put a T56 in my 01 Cobra. I never had a problem hitting reverse while slowing down with my foot on the brake and down shifting.
 

CobraSam

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That’s actually a good point about the outputs. I’ll have to check to see if I have any left. I think they’re all used up, but definitely will check that out.
If not, I’m gonna go with the Samoco module. I just feel better about it performing like OEM. My wife likes to drive the car every once in a while so I’d like to keep things simple. Thanks guys for the input.
 

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