Tremec transmissions

Archrms · #1 (**permalink**) 10-17-2006, 11:33 AM

According to the gearing calculator that I found on another thread here, the the first four gears of the Tremec TKO/600 appear to be the same as the Wide Ratio Toploader, with the added benefit of an overdrive. It would seem that the Tremec TKO/600 would be a no-brainer to get the same performance/gear ratios of a toploader with the added benefit of the overdrive. Does this sound right if you don't mind being "authentic"? Also, someone recommended a Tremec 4617 instead of a TKO/600. What is the difference between the two, and which would be better with a 3.46 rear?

Cashburn · #2 (**permalink**) 10-17-2006, 12:19 PM

The 4617 is the TKO-600 with the .82 overdrive vs. the 5008 which is the TKO-600 wth the .64 overdrive.

Gearings as follows:
Part No, Trans 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
4615 TKO-500 3.27 1.97 1.34 1.00 0.68
4617 TKO-600 2.87 1.89 1.28 1.00 0.82
5008 TKO-600 2.87 1.89 1.28 1.00 0.64

What are you putting it behind?

The .82 with a 3.46 is a nice combo.

Archrms · #3 (**permalink**) 10-17-2006, 12:25 PM

Jay,

Does this mean that the 4617 etc. are just a renumbering of the original TKO-600 designation? I plan on using either a 427/FE or 428/FE engine in the 500 hp range.

Cashburn · #4 (**permalink**) 10-17-2006, 12:27 PM

4617 is a part number and TK0-600 is a product name.

Should be fine behind either engine. We have a similar package going together if Southern ever ships our engine...

Anthony · #5 (**permalink**) 10-18-2006, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archrms

the first four gears of the Tremec TKO/600 appear to be the same as the Wide Ratio Toploader, with the added benefit of an overdrive. It would seem that the Tremec TKO/600 would be a no-brainer to get the same performance/gear ratios of a toploader with the added benefit of the overdrive.

Yes. With the WR toploader's first gear 2.78, you can use a 3.08 rear, and if you build a BB stroker, I'd run 2.88's in the rear. Then you don't need an overdrive. But , many people are running the TKO600 with 3.54's or so, then the 0.82 OD is more useful. But, with the 3.46 rears, 1st may be a little short, and with the 2.87 first, 3.08 or 2.88 rears would probably be more useful, at least to my taste.

I'd run 3.08's with the TKO600 (0.82 OD), and either 3.08's or 2.88's with the WR toploader.

427SnakeSC · #6 (**permalink**) 10-18-2006, 02:03 PM

"I'd run 3.08's with the TKO600 (0.82 OD), and either 3.08's or 2.88's with the WR toploader." Posted by Anthony

My 2 cents, for what it's worth. I have read complaints from other members who are running toploaders. There seems to be a problem running the 3.31 or anything higher in these cars, as it makes creeping through a plaza or parking lot a case of the jumps and jerks or using the clutch excessively. I was considering going with the 3.31 but decided against it, because of this. Just my humble opinion

Anthony · #7 (**permalink**) 10-21-2006, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 427SnakeSC

My 2 cents, for what it's worth. I have read complaints from other members who are running toploaders. There seems to be a problem running the 3.31 or anything higher in these cars, as it makes creeping through a plaza or parking lot a case of the jumps and jerks or using the clutch excessively. I was considering going with the 3.31 but decided against it, because of this. Just my humble opinion

If you want to gear your car for car cruises and parking lots, then I'd get like you said, WR toploader or TKO600 with 3.54 or 3.73's. If you want 1st gear optimized for performance, then you need to run 3.08 or 2.88's in the rear, for a 1st gear multiplication of about 8.5 . When I take my car to a car cruise, I always park it. There may be some feathering the clutch, but not much, not that I think it is excessive. I have had WR toploader with 3.07 rears, and CR toploader with 3.54 rears, and either of these are manageable for pulling into a parking lot. For a parade, not, but I don't plan on running my car in a parade.

Excaliber · #8 (**permalink**) 10-21-2006, 05:31 PM

I run a 3:31 with a top loader and would NOT recommend a lower rear gear, unless you plan on an over drive of some kind. I don't do parades, 1st gear IS to high for me, parking lots are not a big a deal. MOST of my driving is on the highway, I like to keep my cruise rpm within a reasonable range. Anything less than a 3:31 is going to have your motor 'screaming' at 65 mph.

Now as most of you have figured out I'm a stickler for 'keeping it real', but I'm not crazy either! Details you can SEE are what is most important, details you PERSONALLY care about are second to that. For instance, it really bothered me personally that I was running 427 emblems on my 302 powered Excalibur. SO I changed the emblems to "Powered by Ford". I don't like 17" tires because they simply 'don't look right', and the LOOK is important to me.

I'd run a 5 speed in a heartbeat, you can't SEE it, but I would make DARN SURE I had a correct appearing gear shift, and I'd probably run a FOUR speed knob on it too!

Gear ratios that are close to a wide ratio top loader AND an overdrive? Whew, thats a PERFECT combo, and a 3.5 rear ratio would work nicely.

maurice19 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-21-2006, 07:36 PM

My set up is TKO600 with the .64 overdrive combined with 3.42 rear.

I turn around 2000 rpm at 70 mph in 5th gear, which works fairly well with my engine setup.

The engine is right on the border of being happy at that rpm, so I drop to 4th accelerate quickly if needed.

Maurice Lawrence

DonC · #10 (**permalink**) 10-21-2006, 11:33 PM

Running a 3.07 rear with the 0.82 O.D Tremec and 17" wheels. I am very please with the way the setup performs. About 2300 at 70 while cruising and, while I've never quarter miled the car, I was getting consistant 96 mph on the Main Street Drags at the London Cobra Show in June Which was, in my estimation, a generous 1/8 mile.
I wanted the car to be a driver and it performs that duty admirably.
DonC

Cobrabill · #11 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 12:55 AM

3.27 gear, WR Toploader & aluminum Flywheel-no issues.

Don,at what rpm is your advance all the way in?

DonC · #12 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 08:54 AM

Cobrabill:
34 degrees @ 4000. Chasis dyno gives me 313 at the rear wheels which, based on 20% loss through the drive train, 50 hp loss through mufflers, 10 hp loss for the alternator and water pump, gives me around 450 HP at the flywheel. Rear wheel torque is at 383.
DonC

Cobrabill · #13 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 10:58 AM

4000?!!Try getting it all in by 2500.

Anthony · #14 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonC

Chasis dyno gives me 313 at the rear wheels .... Rear wheel torque is at 383. DonC

Did you have your engine chassis dyno tuned ? If not, you should have it done, it's money well spent.

Chassis dyno tuning ( changing jets + timing ) my engine got me another 90 ft-lbs torque, 70 hp. Like I said, money well spent. Like anything, the key is to take it to someboby that know's what they're doing.

DonC · #15 (**permalink**) 10-23-2006, 08:14 AM

Anthony:
The engine hasn not been chasis dyno tuned. I'm saving that for this winter when my project is going to the the addition of a Mass Flo EFI system. After that has been installed I'll go a chasis dyno tune on the engine.
The last runs showed that I could go one size smaller on the main jets since it was running just a little bit rich above 3500 turns. If the Mass Flo doesn't work out and I go back to the Hollley I'll look into it more closely.

DonC