TKO500 or TKO600 trans???

[Mike Bartlett]

Pasnbyu,

Choose your 5th gear wisely. I screwed up and chose the .64OD with 3:31 gears and about the same size tires you have. 5th is worthless unless I am going 80mph plus. AT 70 I'm at about 1800-1900 rpms. My motor doesn't like it. I end up driving mostly in 4th even on the freeway when I really wanted the 5th.

I did purchase the 600 Tremec and like it very much accept for my 5th gear. One odd thing I have noticed a few times. Sometimes it will pop out of 5th, the few times I am using it, when just cruising down the highway. Not sure why?

Mike

[bret a ewing]

The 600rr is a toploader wide ratio with an overdrive.....82. The 82 will feel like a natural rpm increase like from 3rd to 4th. I had both and like the 82 much better IMHO.

[bret a ewing]

BTW, I have a 3.5:1 rear ratio.

[trularin]

I have the TKO600. I got it from Jimi.

Before I had it I got about 4 to 6 miles to the gallon. With the .62 OD, I get about 22 miles to the gallon.

If I was doing this again, I would do what I did last time, Call Jimi and tell him what I had and ask for "the setup".

[snakebitekit]

Does anyone know of a good shop to get a TKO, tremac etc in Phoenix metro area?

Dennis

[trularin]

snakebitekit,

You can call Jimi and have it shipped...unless you are wondering about getting it installed.

He also had the best price and made sure I knew what parts I needed.

[WarrenG]

I went with the TKO600 also. As mentioned above the cost difference was minimal ($150 I think) especially compared with the total cost of the build. I have 3.54 rear gears, 26.5" tires, and the 0.64 OD and that set up works fine for my small block build. Also as mentioned above, I think the 3.27 1st gear in the TKO500 would make 1st almost useless in my car. However, if I had 3.31 (or 3.27 like yours) in the rear, I would opt for the TKO600RR and the 0.82 OD.

[pasnbyu]

Thanks to all for the very fine advice. I have ordered the TKO600RR with .82 5th gear. I am sure it will be just what the doctor ordered.

Bob in Clovis, CA

[jwd]

You'll be very happy with your decision. I love mine.

Jim

[Excaliber]

No question about it, you gotta be careful with getting to LOW a 1st gear and to HIGH a 5th gear. Jimi G nailed it, how does he know these things?

.8 overdrive, not .6, do what you gotta do to get it!

[Jimi G]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

No question about it, you gotta be careful with getting to LOW a 1st gear and to HIGH a 5th gear. Jimi G nailed it, how does he know these things?

.8 overdrive, not .6, do what you gotta do to get it!

Thank you all for the kind comments, the one thing alot of people that sell these units don't take into account is all the other variables. I have been around Cobras for along time, I used to build chassis for a well known Replica Company, that and I have been racing cars and motorcycles since I was 7 years old. Through my racing experiance I learned early that setup was everything, that is the reason why not many people get away with ordering their transmission from me the first time we talk. I want to know cam range, rear gear ratio, size of tires, HP and torque ratings, and most importantly what their main goal is with their car. All those factors come into play because lets face it, it doesn't matter how much HP you have if your transmission and rear gear do not do their job effectively. I have road in far to many Cobras with 500 plus HP and it felt gutless because the car was not geared or setup properly. But I have also been in several 300HP Cobras that felt like they had 500 plus HP because everything worked as a well oiled machine. jimig@standardtransmission.com

[bret a ewing]

Jim,

Only issues I had with the first TKO600 (.62) was the shift linkage was not aligned properly from the factory. This led to a "hunting" for reverse. Most times having to select 5th a couple of times before rev would engage. This led to a failure of the 5th-rev. linkage rod. This piece is not very strong and made from white metal.
Still under warranty, I replaced the trans with an RR unit, but before I installed it I had the linkage re-shimmed and aligned. It needed it.
So far, no failure, but It really has not been subjected to any severe duty. I'm still a little aprehensive about the durability aspect. Time will tell.

[Old Phart]

Originally Posted by snakebitekit

Does anyone know of a good shop to get a TKO, tremac etc in Phoenix metro area?

Dennis

Dennis,

I went with a Ford Racing World Class T-5 with a 2.95 1st gear ratio and bought from AMP Performance (602) 437-2727) in Tempe. $1,399. I have a 3.73 rear gear and crate GT40/340 HP motor for my AC MKIV.

[ekrupa2]

I have only 140ish test miles in and I was bracing myself as past comments warned of the TKO break-ins ...hard 2nd to 3rd, notchy, reverse tough to find, etc. To say the least I am pleasantly surprised. I have the 600 with the .82 overdrive paired with a Roush 402SR. Shifts like butter, first gear is usable, reverse hasnt been an issue (after my initial clutch adjustment), and 2nd to 3rd is as easy as 1st to 2nd. I will say that at freeway speeds I am tach'ing a little higer than I hoped but I didnt sign up for this adventure expecting great gas mileage.

I hope the luck continues with the TKO but I may have already jinxed myself (have had some issues with other items that I am still working through).

[Excaliber]

It's more comfortable to cruise at a little higher rpm than an rpm thats to low. Man I been there! Always watching the tach so the rpm don't go to low, worried about detonation and wondering if I need more octane at the low rpms and slight hill's along the way. Downshifting into 4th when traffic slows to much, or the grade is a little long, or I just want a little more power on tap. That kind of subtle stress 'eats at you' along the way, it is not pleasant over time.

[ekrupa2]

Ex - you are 100% correct...the Roush motor isnt happy below 2000 RPM. I am glad i chose the .82 5th.