Let's talk Transmissions

[Dwight]

I pulled the top loader out of my 66 Fairlane with a 390 because I do a lot of hiway cruising.

With the top loader I was turning 2,800 with 3.5 rear gears and 26" tires. With the '95 T-5 installed I'm turning 2,000 - 2,100 at 75 -80 mph.

I have the top loader for sale with a Hurst shifter.

And I'm looking for a old 3550. Anyone have one for sale?
Dwight

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by ERA 626

I just bought a .82 Road race TKO 600 form Modern Drive Line. Its not been installed yet. Its still on my work bench. I am reading this thread and wonder how difficutt is the Liberty modification to do my self? is it worth the trouble? I have a CSX 6xxx car with a 3.54 rear gear. The motor is going to be a 650/650 shelby aluminum 482.

Like Brent already said, the transmissions need to be completely disassembled to do the work. If you are familiar with manual transmissions the job is not that difficult. Unless you have access to a machine shop you will be hard pressed to install the TKO threaded front cluster support cap. The other mods you can easily do yourself.

The surface treatments on the gears you can have done to your own gears by Liberty or another firm you may like to use and then install them yourself. Again if you are familiar with manual transmissions you can easily do the necessary shimming required for the particular transmission you are using.

I did my own TKO 600. The actual time required on the bench upgrading the trans was about 4 hours, start to finish including an eat in lunch. That said I have been working on these types of transmissions since the 1960's and have a good familiarity. If you have no familiarity but good mechanical skills and want to learn on your trans you're probably looking at a weekend, start to finish not including install and removal time. If you have no familiarity and limited mechanical skills you need to have someone do it for you.


Ed

[PCW]

Originally Posted by fastd

OP: Mine is the T56 Magnum with 2.66 first, .80 5th and .63 6th.

To xb-60, what ratio is the 1st gear on your toploader? the close ratio has a 2.32 first gear and the wide has 2.78. I generally agree with your speed is really like a 5 speed given your gearing; but I would still recommend a five speed; your 2.92 is a nice 60-70 gear but not really a cruise gear; if you a doing 75 on the highway for a decent stretch then a 5th gear would be nice.

Did you have any fit issues on install?

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by PCW

Did you have any fit issues on install?

Toploader is sitting here ready to fit....but not fitted yet.
Not anticipating any issues. Shifter position is period correct for 289. Hole in trans. tunnel already cut.

Happy Easter all!
Cheers
Glen

[fastd]

Originally Posted by PCW

Did you have any fit issues on install?

I didn’t do the install. Had it done by a shop in raleigh. They said that they didn’t have much of an issue but they did need to cut the tunnel.

[AC Ventura2]

Originally Posted by PCW

Working with Peter to finalize my build cost and I have most of my build nailed down. Still deciding on the engine builder, but the car will be a FIA 289 with either a 331 or 363 ci with an 8 stack carb weber set up, targeting approx. 425-450 HP. The biggest question I still have is what trans to use.

I have had a lot of appreciated advice from the Facebook Group regarding engines and weber carbs vs weber EFI and decided to go with the carbs. Troy stated use the TKO600 w/the .82 final drive. But I keep finding threads about the Toploader (TL) and the Richmond Super Street 5 Speed (RSS), I see positive comments for all three.

So my plan at this point is to use on the street, but, I want to future proof the car as I feel I'm going to want to track it sometimes. I adding the ERA rear end, BIG brakes and the discussions with the engine builders have been a balance between a street/track motor. With all that said, what are your thoughts about transmissions? Pros vs Cons, likes and dislike etc..

Thanks Craig

I’m not as well qualified as some people on here, but I did agonise between a TKO 600 .64/.82. I was attracted to the .64 as I am in Europe and would have liked motorway fuel economy. But so many guys with the .64 said they were constantly switching between 4th and 5th at 70mph, that they regretted the decision. In the end I realised that I wasn’t building an economy car, went straight in for the .82. If you look at the ratios, it’s quite similar to the Toploader, but with an additional gear. It was the right decision and despite my car being a big block, I imagine 5 gears is enough for most Cobras, most of the time.
The TKO is as sweet as the old T-5, provided you dial it in, as mine was .022” TIR off centre ! The other thing I got right was having a short shaft fitted and a low profile bellhousing. This makes the whole drivertrain shorter, that helps with the heat out and allows a fractionally longer driveshaft.
My only mistake was the Super Street Pro 75236 12” clutch. My operating system has to be 1:1 and it’s ridiculously heavy, although it not that noticeable when you are actually driving.
In summary, live many owners I’ve found the TKO ideal and don’t see any reason to seek a transmission that’s longer, bigger and heavier.

[joyridin']

Originally Posted by fastd

What do carbs have to do with it?

Not enough adjustability on the carbs to make it run correctly when in higher gears. I could cruise down the highway in 6th, but it would buck. A lot depends on your cam also. 1900 RPM is way below the range of most camshafts. You can adjust EFI enough to make it work.

[8litercobra]

Fastd, I have a 3.54 rear. Sorry for the reply delay.

[fastd]

Originally Posted by 8litercobra

Fastd, I have a 3.54 rear. Sorry for the reply delay.

With a 2.29 first gear for a final drive ratio of 8.1, right? How do you like your 1st gear? Betcha you can 60 in first ...I actually think that that “works” in a cobra.

[fastd]

Wait, my calculator says 47-48 with 26” tires @ 5000 rpm. That’s pretty ideal imo.

[8litercobra]

I've had a built aluminum side oiler in an ERA (3.31 rear), and now have a built 438 W in a Unique. Both cars had the close ratio top loader, so I'm used to a pretty "tall" 1st gear. With both these cars, I use 1st gear a bunch around town.....low speed, tight streets. I never get to 3rd unless I'm out of Savannah's downtown historical district. I have probably erred in installing motors that don't like running much below 2,000 rpm. But I like it, and it keeps the other household drivers out of it!

From the above, you'd think it makes sense to have a lower first. However, to me, a cobra is a high powered beast that is slanted towards high speed work, where it is meant to be operated. The fact that I choose to operate it at low speed where it can be a bit uncomfortable, is actually part of its uncompromised charm. My car is very truly not a car for all seasons! As I relate to my bride, the car is set up for my tastes, and few folks are as crazy as me. That's when the frying pans start flying.

But I digress.....I'm doing about 18-19 mph at 2,000 rpm in first. My motor will easily hit 7 grand.

[FredG]

If you're really interested in taking on the project of making your TKO shift better , here's a video of someone who knows all about them doing it . Transmission comes out of a Cobra Kit Car that the owner wants to shift better and you also has a leak . Great video to watch if you just want to learn about the trends . https://youtu.be/8YBeFZzv83Y

Fred

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by FredG

If you're really interested in taking on the project of making your TKO shift better , here's a video of someone who knows all about them doing it . owner wants to shift better and you also has a leak .https://youtu.be/8YBeFZzv83Y

Yes, it is a great video. He doesn't like tremecs though.

[FredG]

I love his videos. Very informative and he is a good explainer. Having cut my teeth on Borg Warner and Muncie I am not a fan of the Tremec either but it came in the car and I will have to live with it. Firstly, I can't understand the size of the thing just to add an overdrive. Second I could never consider racing with that transmission because it just doesn't shift like I would lime it to and I am not taking it out. It is what it is so I will just live with it.

Fred

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by FredG

If you're really interested in taking on the project of making your TKO shift better , here's a video of someone who knows all about them doing it . Transmission comes out of a Cobra Kit Car that the owner wants to shift better and you also has a leak . Great video to watch if you just want to learn about the trends . https://youtu.be/8YBeFZzv83Y

Fred

Excellent video, Fred. For anyone that is contemplating doing this yourself Paul's video is a pretty clear walk through the disassembly and assembly of the transmission. I would also encourage you to download the Tremec service manual from their website or one of their Tremec Authorized reseller websites.

The job is not rocket science stuff but there is a lot of detail you need to be aware of and attentive to. The Service Manual will hit those details and Paul's video will show you the actual process being performed in real time.

If the job seems to be a bridge too far, give it to a transmission shop that is familiar with and services your particular unit. If you do it yourself disassembly organization is key to proper reassembly. Keep assembly parts bagged and tagged or otherwise contained together for easier assembly.

You might want to get some replacement needle bearings. If you are like me, I always somehow loose one or two rollers even on a flat table with retaining walls to prevent parts from falling to the floor. I always find the lost bearing after the particular transmission component is fully assembled and installed. Extra's are a godsend.


Ed

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by FredG

Having cut my teeth on Borg Warner and Muncie I am not a fan of the Tremec either but it came in the car and I will have to live with it. Firstly, I can't understand the size of the thing just to add an overdrive. Second I could never consider racing with that transmission because it just doesn't shift like I would lime it to and I am not taking it out. It is what it is so I will just live with it. Fred

Yeah. I'd leave it alone unless you break it. Then make a decision whether to change or not. I mean, almost all of us are not professional / serious racers, so I don't think it really matters. The cars are fantastic no matter which tranny you have. They all will work fine.

[ERA 626]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Yeah. I'd leave it alone unless you break it. Then make a decision whether to change or not. I mean, almost all of us are not professional / serious racers, so I don't think it really matters. The cars are fantastic no matter which tranny you have. They all will work fine.

Yea I think thats good advice, I had a richmond 4+1 in my ER
A for 17 years. It shifted like a turd. I hope the TKO 600 Road Race is an upgrade out of the box...