TKO-600 cost to convert .64 OD to .82?

[Mark Brye]

I have about 6000 trouble free miles on my .64 overdrive TKO600 but I can't stand the Overdrive gearing. All the roads around here that I drive on are 55 to 60 mph tops. So I am looking at switching to the .82 OD.

Does anyone have an idea of what the cost is for this conversion for parts and labor assuming I pull the transmission? Just wondering if I am better off just buying another TKO with the .82 already installed for the 2500 or so that they are selling for now days.



Thanks!

[dallas_]

When I was considering that, I just ended up basically trading with someone who wanted my gearing and I wanted his. Maybe you can sell yours and buy another for near the same price.

I have no idea what it would take to swap those gears. Perhaps someone will chime in who knows.

[Karl Bebout]

Mark,
"All the roads around here that I drive on are 55 to 60 mph tops."

Aren't speed limit signs just a "suggestion"?

[MKS427]

The parts will be about 5-600. Dederichs Motorsports 682 365-5555 is a Tremec dealer and can get the parts you need. If you carry the trans into a shop, you are probably around 4-500.
Did you consider a rear gear swap?
I run the wide ratio with a 3.08 and short tires (25.43") and I can cruise as low as 50 mph @ 1350 rpm. However, the motor is built for a lot of torque. I did have to switch to EFI from a carb to get it to work below 1700 rpm.
Hope this helps,
Mark

[olddog]

I talked with a Tremeric (hope that spelling is close) sales rep at a car show on this very topic. The 5th gear is part of the main shaft the sticks out the front of the transmission. So it is the most expensive gear to replace. I seems like just the gears were at least $500, maybe more. If it needs any other work and you pay labor, you will get close to the price a new transmission. So the question is what can you sell your transmission for? Subtract that from a new one and that's the most you should spend changing a gear set.

I would like to do the same thing. If a bunch of us were to all do the same thing, perhaps Brent could do a quantity deal and save some bucks, but I doubt it.

[jhv48]

I did just what you're considering. Pulled my TKO 600 with the .64 fifth gear and sold it to a guy building a 66 mustang for $1200. Bought a new tranny with the .82 fifth speed and couldn't be happier.

[Gaz64]

Originally Posted by olddog

I talked with a Tremeric (hope that spelling is close) sales rep at a car show on this very topic. The 5th gear is part of the main shaft the sticks out the front of the transmission. So it is the most expensive gear to replace. I seems like just the gears were at least $500, maybe more. If it needs any other work and you pay labor, you will get close to the price a new transmission. So the question is what can you sell your transmission for? Subtract that from a new one and that's the most you should spend changing a gear set.

I would like to do the same thing. If a bunch of us were to all do the same thing, perhaps Brent could do a quantity deal and save some bucks, but I doubt it.

The main shaft sticks out the back, input shaft out the front.

Stupid that 5th is part of the shaft, would be quite easy to change just 5th gear ratio with the extension housing off, 5th main and 5th cluster gears.

[Mark Brye]

Originally Posted by Karl Bebout

Mark,
"All the roads around here that I drive on are 55 to 60 mph tops."

Aren't speed limit signs just a "suggestion"?

That is very true! But if I only treat them as a suggestion that may get very expensive for me!

[Mark Brye]

After reading the above posts I think I will just purchase a new TKO and put my .64 TKO up for sale.

I had already swapped out the rear gearing to 373s and that helped a little but not enough.

I think I can probably sell my transmission and come out about the same out of pocket.

[blykins]

This is why I always recommend the .82 trannies. With the camshafts and rear end ratios in a lot of these cars, the shorter overdrive makes things a lot more enjoyable when cruising.

[Mark Brye]

Brent, I have seen several posts referencing the TKOs shifting smoother after being sent to you for mods. What do you do to the TKOs that help them shift smoother? Maybe I should weigh that as an option also....

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Mark Brye

Brent, I have seen several posts referencing the TKOs shifting smoother after being sent to you for mods. What do you do to the TKOs that help them shift smoother? Maybe I should weigh that as an option also....

Steeda tri-ax and liberty gears or Cryo treatment, I believe?

I have a steeda tri-ax shifter and have no complaints yet.
Shifts positively with firm mechanical feedback. No issues. Quite happy with it.

I don't have liberty gears, nor a cryo treated box, but again don't have any complaints.

[blykins]

Originally Posted by Mark Brye

Brent, I have seen several posts referencing the TKOs shifting smoother after being sent to you for mods. What do you do to the TKOs that help them shift smoother? Maybe I should weigh that as an option also....

I base that on the engine. If you spend a lot of time shifting over 6000 rpm, then I would recommend it. Otherwise, I don't think it would be cost effective, and I would only recommend using a good aftermarket shifter like a Steeda Tri-Ax.

When we do modify them, we correct the surface finish on the gear cones and synchronizer hubs, replace the shift finger, and then blueprint the thrust clearances.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Dimis

....Steeda tri-ax and liberty gears or Cryo treatment, I believe?....

Steeda tri-ax ??
Liberty gears ??
CRYO TREATMENT ??

Surely you can't be serious??

I think all you non-Toploader / non-T10 users should maybe consider a 5 speed auto trans

Cheers!
Glen

[Dwight]

About three years ago Coach bought a .84 Tremec. Drove it for a few months in his Unique with 482 Ponds motor. He had owned two other .64 trannies and did not like his motor spinning 2800 rpms on the hiway. He call a shop that Keith Craft recommended and bought the main shaft for I think $350 ish. I sold his old shaft to a guy in Texas from a couple of hundred. Eddie, our Ford mechanic replaced the shaft for $200. Coach pulled and re installed the tranny so he saved that labor cost. Took Eddie less than two hours to swap the shaft. Coach has thousands of miles on the Cobra now with no problems.

A few years back I had Eddie to remove parts from my 600 and shipped them to Liberty gears for their street upgrade. Cost about $350. Eddie put it back together and what a difference. You can shift with out a clutch. I could not miss a gear. Smooth. Hugh difference. I've never own another TKO without they upgrade.
Dwight

[ACHiPo]

Originally Posted by blykins

I base that on the engine. If you spend a lot of time shifting over 6000 rpm, then I would recommend it. Otherwise, I don't think it would be cost effective, and I would only recommend using a good aftermarket shifter like a Steeda Tri-Ax.

When we do modify them, we correct the surface finish on the gear cones and synchronizer hubs, replace the shift finger, and then blueprint the thrust clearances.

Brent (or anyone),
Do you have a picture of how the reverse Mustang shift lever attaches to the Steeda aftermarket shifter?

Just read the blurb on Liberty's website. Their faceplate option sounds interesting, as does the Pro Shift (not sure how that compares to the Steeda?). The rest of the treatments seem excessive for street use, even though my motor will likely push 600 ft-lbs.

Thanks,
AC

[blykins]

You don't want pro shifting or face plating for a street transmission....

The way you attach the shifter to the Tremec shifter is by cutting the end off and welding another piece on, or buying a shifter handle that's specifically for a TKO.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by ACHiPo

Brent (or anyone),
Do you have a picture of how the reverse Mustang shift lever attaches to the Steeda aftermarket shifter?

Just read the blurb on Liberty's website. Their faceplate option sounds interesting, as does the Pro Shift (not sure how that compares to the Steeda?). The rest of the treatments seem excessive for street use, even though my motor will likely push 600 ft-lbs.

Thanks,
AC

The Steeda TriAx shifter has 3 mounting holes for the shifter.
See pic:



I ground off the top hole and simply fitted the dog leg shifter.

Dressed with carpet boot and ring it looks pretty much the same as this.


Cheers

[ACHiPo]

Originally Posted by Dimis

The Steeda TriAx shifter has 3 mounting holes for the shifter.
See pic:



I ground off the top hole and simply fitted the dog leg shifter.

Dressed with carpet boot and ring it looks pretty much the same as this.


Cheers

Thanks!

[ACHiPo]

Originally Posted by blykins

You don't want pro shifting or face plating for a street transmission....

The way you attach the shifter to the Tremec shifter is by cutting the end off and welding another piece on, or buying a shifter handle that's specifically for a TKO.

Brent,
Thanks!

What's th downside of face plating?

What's the difference between a Pro Shifter and Steeda?