Tremec 500 vs 600

[wbgilbert2]

I am building a ffr mk4. I have a 1966 427 cross bolt side oiler that I am rebuilding. It should put out about 500 hp with pump gas when we are finished. The rear end I am using has 3.31 gears. I was originally going to get the Tremec 500 trans. but the Tremec 600 is only about $150 more. The 600 also has a higher first gear. What is the best trans. for my build?

Thanks for the help.

Brent

[wbgilbert2]

Originally Posted by wbgilbert2

I am building a ffr mk4. I have a 1966 427 cross bolt side oiler that I am rebuilding. It should put out about 500 hp with pump gas when we are finished. The rear end I am using has 3.31 gears. I was originally going to get the Tremec 500 trans. but the Tremec 600 is only about $150 more. The 600 also has a higher first gear. What is the best trans. for my build?

Thanks for the help.

Brent

"There is no Replacement for Displacement"

[Avmaviator]

Originally Posted by wbgilbert2

I am building a ffr mk4. I have a 1966 427 cross bolt side oiler that I am rebuilding. It should put out about 500 hp with pump gas when we are finished. The rear end I am using has 3.31 gears. I was originally going to get the Tremec 500 trans. but the Tremec 600 is only about $150 more. The 600 also has a higher first gear. What is the best trans. for my build?

Thanks for the help.

Brent

Brent,

For $150 just go with the 600. You already listed the advantages Plus if you want to do some power upgrades, you'll still be good tranny wise.

[Pman1961]

I've had both tranny's with a 3:46 rear gear. Go with the 600 with the higher first gear. You have options for the 5th gear but I chose the .82 since I do very little highway driving. Also, it just doesn't seem right running 1800 rpms at 70mph or whatever. The Cobra needs to talk to the vehicles as it passes by not sound like it is idling! The 500 first gear is very short. Just my opinion.

[Dimis]

$150 is cheap insurance against the power of a 427 S/O.
Just my thoughts.

[blykins]

Go with the TKO 600....

With the 3.31's, it may be nicer to have the lower 1st gear of the 500, but if you ever upgrade the engine or switch rearend gears, you'll be glad that you went with the 600. I sell 10 600's for every 500 that I sell...

The price difference is actually a lot less than $150 (my pricing anyway), so I'd go for it...

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by wbgilbert2

"There is no Replacement for Displacement"

Am I the only one who read this and thought "WTF?"

[mreid]

No you were not.

TKO600, but are you running IRS, 3-link, 4-link, or 5-link?

[Dwight]

I have a small block with lots of low end torque with 3:55 rear gears and 26" tires. I went with the 600 because of the first gear. With the TKO the 3.27 first gear was useless. The 500 has the same first gear.

Now I cruise at 70 mph (2000 rpms) and I have a first gear I can use.

You need to do the math and see what your cruise rpms will be at 40, 60, 70, 80. You can change tires size or rear end ratio to optimize your cruising.
Some motor will not cruise below 2000 rpms mainly because of cam profile.
Some are just tuning problems that you can easily correct.

IMHO you don't need the 600 because of the torque, tires are the weak point on a Cobra. But the first gear and the 5th gear ratio are what your looking at.

The clutch is different on the 500 and 600.

Who ever you buy the trannie from also buy the clutch to match.
I have bought 5 or 6 trannies from D&D and will buy my next one from them. Best price, great service and they stand behind their products.
One of my buddies bought a trannie from them. It had a problem and Tremec got involved but D&D shipped him a new trannie and let him keep the old one that Tremec had repaired. Not bad customer service. That happens this past summer.

Welcome to D&D Performance - The 5 & 6 Speed Experts!

Dwight

happy cruizin

[Sawdust]

Go with the TKO600

[blykins]

I will price match....

Actually, all pricing should be the same on transmissions. Tremec makes us all sign a minimum advertised price agreement. I stand by mine...not sure what others do. As for the other parts including flywheels, clutches, bellhousings, etc., I offer discounts to all Club Cobra members.

I can offer the same service as all others if issues do arrive.

[Hydramada]

TKO600. Cheap insurance against a thrashed tranny while out in your car.

[wbgilbert2]

I am running a 3 link.

[wbgilbert2]

Thanks everyone, the 600 wins! I just was not sure if the first gear would be to tall. and I will go with the road race one that has the lower 5 gear

[mdross1]

I guess you have enough in the opinion dept,mine is also go for the 600 for such a small difference in price.the 500 is certainly up to the task considering what these cars weigh.My big block car with the 500 and 3:73 rear cog is fantastic.

[JAM1775]

TKO 600 will give you a long first gear without the higher revs. With 331's you could make 45-50mph easily in 1st without screaming revs. Perfect for your BB.
I also think the best OD for your BB is the Tremec 600's .064. You have huge BB low rpm torque.....so cruising at 60mph at 2000 rpm would also be perfect . My motor makes big torque and cruises at 1850 / 50mph or 2100/65 mph..no problem with the Tremec 600. Making your 427 rev and stay at 2800-3200rpm along the highway when it could effortlessly be pulling along at 2000-2300rpm make little sense to me.

[Zoom This]

TKO 600 is the way to go. Ratio is closer, shift pattern is slightly tighter, tranny is tuffer and if you like to cruise the freeway without revving your motor to death, the .64 OD is great. Drove a 3000 mile road trip last a few summers ago and the car loved to stretch its legs on the open road. Cruise at 90-100 all day when on the straights of Montana.

Bill