TKO 600 splice onto Windsor query

[stephen low]

G'day Guys

With the demise of my T5, after being assessed as cactus by a transmission specialist, I'd been searching for a nice TKO 500 to mate to my Windsor.

However I have the opportunity of getting a TKO 600 at the right price but realise a whole lot more parts are needed to make a 600 mate to the Windsor.

My researching time may be limited and I'm keen for feedback to help me kick along what I need to source. I am still only planning a 347 stroker in the longer run so no pressure on the box capacity.

Would like to keep the clutch arrangement simple for now and assume I just need a new fine spline clutch and matching p-plate to suit my current standard flywheel.

Depending on bellhousing I need, am also happy to stick with mechanical clutch. Any ideas if the standard bellhousing on the T5 could be made to work with the 600? This would enable me to use the same starter and not have to frig around with my wiring too.

Any other fitment comments would be appreciated.

Cheers

[Tom Kirkham]

My understanding is the TKO500 and TKO600 should be the same as far as installation is concerned. The one issue you might have is the TKO600 may have a Ford input shaft. I believe this should almost be a drop in for you. Potential problem areas are: input shaft length, shifter, and drive shaft. I would much rather have the 600 than the 500. The 600 has much more usable gears.

[stephen low]

Thanks Tom

Its a Ford spec version and yes shaft length is the issue with bellhousings but am hoping my T5 bellhousing can be made to work.

Gear ratios aren't too different between the boxes its more the overall capacity and for the price I can't go past what is on offer to me even though the 500 would be well suited to my needs.

Cheers

[Dangerous Doug]

The long input shaft can be managed with a Lakewood 15202 bellhousing, or a 5/8" spacer between TKO-600 & bellhousing. Not sure if T5 bolt pattern is the same as the TKO-600. The input shaft on the TKO will require a different clutch plate. You'll also need a different yoke for the output shaft.

Google "Mike Fortes TKO" for a good source on TKO-600 info. I just got my TKO-600 from him, along with the clutch plate. He knows his stuff. He designed a hydraulic system that apparently works well on the ERA 427's. I think Kirkham now uses Mike's system.

DD

[stiffy]

SLOWLY,


As your budget is tight and the T5 is a suitable for your requirements just stick with it. Its not worth the mucking around, AND there will be issues .



My 2 Cents worth......


SENSIBLE STIFFY

[stephen low]

Stiffness

If I could find a suitable T5 at a sensible price I would but they are as rare as and $$$ for what they are. I was pointed at an Adelaide source for the best price I've seen for a new T5 for but for a bit more than I can have all these TKO 600 headaches.

I'll take my lumps now and go for the better box, the wife can only strangle me once!!

It seems the year for big mortgage drawdowns!!

Doug

Part of my issue is not knowing what will fit what. There is a bit of translation needed between US and Aussie vehicle usage, which only past experience seems to help.

I'll get the expensive bit first and work forward from there I think. Will also revisit the Forte site but I had spied it in my electronic travels.


I presume a suitable 26 spline clutch and p/plate can be got to suit the standard XR8 flywheel, any suggestions?

It is still the bellhousing that's the tricky issue, given I want to retain what i have if possible. Anyone with experience on this?

Cheers

[vector1]

differences are tko is 30 lbs. heaver, bellhousing to trans mount is different, 600 & t5 output shafts are different, inputs could be different depending on your t5 and wether you go with 500 or 600, 600 is 26 spline input, trans mounting points of tko & t5 are different longitudinal and heigthwise. t5 shifts better. all beleived to be correct at time of posting, your experience may vary. good luck from top of the world.

[stephen low]

Roger roger Victor Vector!! And thanks anyway from down under.

[iva bigan]

slowy
This might help you make head or tail of the situation http://www.moderndriveline.com/Techn...ssic_swaps.htm
Good luck with your projects.

[BJ's Snake]

Slowy
Why don't you rebuild the T5 you have? Your transmission guy may have assessed that its cactus so ask him how much to fix it. There is no such word as "can't". The stuffing around you are going to do trying to save a few bucks may not be a gain at all. My T5 cost around 2 grand to rebuild 3 years ago and is still like new now.

cheers

Brett

[stephen low]

Brett

All the big bits are shot and need to be replaced. All the gears have suffered from crap flying around inside so these all become suspect too. The cost to repair wasn't much below sourcing a new one from Adelaide.

Seems the previous owner only had two speeds, stop and D for drag. Motor was in the same state but Wellco is fixing that.

Iva thanks I'll have a gander.

Cheers

[hogster]

Slowy, when I purchased my TKO 600 from summit I got them to match, clutch, hydraulic throwout and a Lakewood bell housing. It all bolted straight up, no fuss.

At that stage I had a T5 world class that needed a rebuild, which had cost me $50-00. All said and done I am happy with what I have now. The whole lot was under $3000, and with the money I saved on the gearbox alone having written off all of the freight against the box, I got bellhousing for free.
It was just under 90cents to the dollar then.

Hogster

[letsboogie351]

Slowy, it would seem that you are missing a prime opportunity to build a "green" Cobra. One I thought you would embrace lovingly!
With the car stripped as far as it currently is Get Marty to weld in a mount for a mast. Then a trip to the sail maker for the right sheet, and Bob's your uncle.........you have a fuel efficient green machine.

Doug

[Maurice Butler]

Originally Posted by stephen low

Brett

All the big bits are shot and need to be replaced. All the gears have suffered from crap flying around inside so these all become suspect too. The cost to repair wasn't much below sourcing a new one from Adelaide.

don't forget the t5 wre used in holdens - and they had an easy time behind the 6's

[stephen low]

Doug

You're not helping!!! lol :

I'd need a spinnaker too for down wind driving.

Seems I might have half a chance with the T5 bellhousing, so we will see.

[Rebel1]

Slowy, The input shaft length of a ford T5 is 7.14" - 7.18" as opposed to a ford TKO500/600 at 7.21" . Measure you current box to confirm.

The TKO 600 has a 26 spline input and the ford TKO 500 has a 10 spline.....the ford T5 is a 10 spline.

However, the gearbox to bell housing bolt pattern is totally different between a TKO's and the T5.

If you are getting a TKO600 from the states then also get the quicktime model RM-6060 bellhousing and a new 26 spline clutch disk.

However, I think the TKO range is an overkill for you. A new T5Z would be as cheap as chips from any of the gearbox supplier supporters on this site.

Modern Driveline advertise a new T5Z (330ft/lbs/ .63 OD) at $US1395.00 and a choice of alternate 2 overdrives( .73 or .59) at approx $US170.00 extra.

Dunno about the freight but given the exchange rate, you cant fix a T5 in Oz for the cost of these new transmissions which are much beefier than the one you destroyed.

These should bolt right up to your bellhousing and not need a new clutch disk or slave setup.

[stephen low]

As a follow up on using a tko 600 can any one that does have this box comment on how the location of the shift lever worked for you. Did you use the rear or centre shirt location?

I am looking at a factory moded version to the centre shift location to enable me to better locate the gear lever. However I thought the picture I was interpreting said change from rear to mid location was only a 3 inch odd move forward from the rear but it is more like 7 inches further forward.

Evidently the 3 inch change may be just associated with rotating the rear shift location mechanism 180 degrees.

Can anyone with experience of these gearboxes comment?

Cheers

[Rebel1]

Stephen, my TKO 600 came out the same gear shift hole as did my T5 when the shifter was in the rearmost position on the TKO.

I have now rotated the tko shifter 180 degrees and it exits the RMC tunnel some 120mm forward of the cross piece of the RMC tunnel frame.

As an indication of motor position in my RMC...the gear box mount bolt holes of the TKO are in line ( across the car) with the rearmost bolt holes of the RMC gear box frame brackets on the chassis.

Does that make sense?.

EDIT... The shifter hole in the tunnel is/was the same with either the Windsor or the Gen4 engine.