Top Loader to a TKO600, Any Regrets?

[Anthony]

the tko600 is really like a wide ratio tranny with an overdrive, gear ratio's similar to a wide ratio toploader, but with an overdrive. If you would run a wide ratio toploader, you can run a 3.07 rear ratio, and then in 4th, you would not need an overdrive. With a close ratio toploader,you need to run about a 3.54 rear ratio. I think the toploader is simpler, durable, maybe easier to fix.

If you want a race-like tranny, get a close ratio, either a toploader, richmond 5spd,etc. which have gears spaced about 23% i think. If you want a tranny for economy, i'd just get a wide ratio toploader with a 3.07 rear. Yes, you can get a tko600, but i'd get the 0.82 5th. If you already have the toploader, you can do a gear change.

Any of them will be fine.

[Jeff Frigo]

I have a wide ratio top loader in the car already, with a 3.73 gear.

[decooney]

Originally Posted by Jeff Frigo

I have a wide ratio top loader in the car already, with a 3.73 gear.

Jeff,
For what its worth - IF you really love the butter shift Top Loader and do not drive the car on the highway for long stretches very often, you might consider a change to the rear axle ratio first before you give up that TL. I run a TKO 600 in a another car, but can't seem to let go of the TL in my FE Cobra. You know what I mean...Wow, 3.73 is crazy low in a big torquey 454 like that, no need for it in a 2500lb car. If you can pick up a second rear diff center section with 3.31 or even 3.08 and try it, it will transform your car. I think its more fun to drive too as it makes 1st gear more usable without always blowing off the rear tires, especially with a 3.08 - acts like a slingshot. A WR TL has a low enough first gear to work with and its not so low that its unusable. I've tried 3.31 and 3.08 in both of my FE powered Cobras. I prefer 3.31 for around town for trips say under 100 miles at a time. If I was doing longer drives I'd do a 3.08 rear. I have 3.31 now, and might go back to 3.08 myself down the road. For now, 3.31 with a WR TL is still really nice - especially if you have a larger cam in your FE and want to keep the rpms up a little to run it in sweet spot while crusing around.

[Obsessive]

Originally Posted by decooney

Jeff,
For what its worth - IF you really love the butter shift Top Loader and do not drive the car on the highway for long stretches very often, you might consider a change to the rear axle ratio first before you give up that TL. I run a TKO 600 in a another car, but can't seem to let go of the TL in my FE Cobra. You know what I mean...Wow, 3.73 is crazy low in a big torquey 454 like that, no need for it in a 2500lb car. If you can pick up a second rear diff center section with 3.31 or even 3.08 and try it, it will transform your car. I think its more fun to drive too as it makes 1st gear more usable without always blowing off the rear tires, especially with a 3.08 - acts like a slingshot. A WR TL has a low enough first gear to work with and its not so low that its unusable. I've tried 3.31 and 3.08 in both of my FE powered Cobras. I prefer 3.31 for around town for trips say under 100 miles at a time. If I was doing longer drives I'd do a 3.08 rear. I have 3.31 now, and might go back to 3.08 myself down the road. For now, 3.31 with a WR TL is still really nice - especially if you have a larger cam in your FE and want to keep the rpms up a little to run it in sweet spot while crusing around.

I have to agree. I've built a couple of these (Cobras with 427 FE motors stroked with a 428 crank) and my favorite combination is the WR TL with 3.08 rear end. I recently, went through my CSX and detuned the motor with a more streetable cam (.507 lift with 274/284 duration), blueprinted the Holley 850 DP and it now feels like the best street set-up I've ever experienced. Personally, I love the character of the car without the 5th gear but enjoy the high gearing for freeway speeds. The motor has way more torque and HP than any of us really need on the street and this seems to be an excellent combination. I have a shifter that I purchased from Dan Williams Toploader years ago and it's nearly perfect. My only complaint with the shifter is that it abandoned the reverse lockout. Call me quirky, but I actually liked that feature in the original set-up. I'm a sucker for originality and the 4spd TL satisfies my need for it being correct. However, my inner hot rodder side took some liberties and I really enjoy this set up.

Hope this helps.

[LightNFast]

Originally Posted by Obsessive

I have to agree. I've built a couple of these (Cobras with 427 FE motors stroked with a 428 crank) and my favorite combination is the WR TL with 3.08 rear end. I recently, went through my CSX and detuned the motor with a more streetable cam (.507 lift with 274/284 duration), blueprinted the Holley 850 DP and it now feels like the best street set-up I've ever experienced. Personally, I love the character of the car without the 5th gear but enjoy the high gearing for freeway speeds. The motor has way more torque and HP than any of us really need on the street and this seems to be an excellent combination. I have a shifter that I purchased from Dan Williams Toploader years ago and it's nearly perfect. My only complaint with the shifter is that it abandoned the reverse lockout. Call me quirky, but I actually liked that feature in the original set-up. I'm a sucker for originality and the 4spd TL satisfies my need for it being correct. However, my inner hot rodder side took some liberties and I really enjoy this set up.

Hope this helps.

"I'm a sucker for originality"

Same here Obsessive. I think having the original configuration adds to the experience. There's probably not too many original CSX's running TKO's either.

Anyway, if you'd like to have the reverse-lockout feature restored, I'd highly recommend contacting Bill Heeley at fordshifterinfo@verizon.net. He restored mine back to original condition and yes, the lockout feature really is pretty cool!

Best of luck!
Regards,

[Jeff Frigo]

Originally Posted by LightNFast

"I'm a sucker for originality"

Same here Obsessive. I think having the original configuration adds to the experience. There's probably not too many original CSX's running TKO's either.

Anyway, if you'd like to have the reverse-lockout feature restored, I'd highly recommend contacting Bill Heeley at fordshifterinfo@verizon.net. He restored mine back to original condition and yes, the lockout feature really is pretty cool!

Best of luck!
Regards,

There better not be ANY original CSX's with TKO's.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Obsessive

....my favorite combination is the WR TL with 3.08 rear end....

I agree. 3.08 with a WR TL. That combination is geared like a five speed without first gear. So much torque available with a 454 that a highish first is an advantage rather than a hindrance, and it would be cool to wind out to close to 60mph (easily) in first.
Cheers,
glen

[SPF1061]

Originally Posted by Anthony

the tko600 is really like a wide ratio tranny with an overdrive, gear ratio's similar to a wide ratio toploader, but with an overdrive. If you would run a wide ratio toploader, you can run a 3.07 rear ratio, and then in 4th, you would not need an overdrive. With a close ratio toploader,you need to run about a 3.54 rear ratio. I think the toploader is simpler, durable, maybe easier to fix.

If you want a race-like tranny, get a close ratio, either a toploader, richmond 5spd,etc. which have gears spaced about 23% i think. If you want a tranny for economy, i'd just get a wide ratio toploader with a 3.07 rear. Yes, you can get a tko600, but i'd get the 0.82 5th. If you already have the toploader, you can do a gear change.

Any of them will be fine.

Anthony -
I found your post pretty misleading. The TKO600 is NOT NECESSARILY a wide ratio transmission with an OD. It can be had as an overdrive with the .64 or as a road race with a true 5th gear at .82. Simple as that. Shifting issues, torque capacity, blah, blah, blah may all be factors to consider.