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I pulled the top loader out of my 66 Fairlane with a 390 because I do a lot of hiway cruising.
With the top loader I was turning 2,800 with 3.5 rear gears and 26" tires. With the '95 T-5 installed I'm turning 2,000 - 2,100 at 75 -80 mph. I have the top loader for sale with a Hurst shifter. And I'm looking for a old 3550. Anyone have one for sale? Dwight |
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Like Brent already said, the transmissions need to be completely disassembled to do the work. If you are familiar with manual transmissions the job is not that difficult. Unless you have access to a machine shop you will be hard pressed to install the TKO threaded front cluster support cap. The other mods you can easily do yourself. The surface treatments on the gears you can have done to your own gears by Liberty or another firm you may like to use and then install them yourself. Again if you are familiar with manual transmissions you can easily do the necessary shimming required for the particular transmission you are using. I did my own TKO 600. The actual time required on the bench upgrading the trans was about 4 hours, start to finish including an eat in lunch. That said I have been working on these types of transmissions since the 1960's and have a good familiarity. If you have no familiarity but good mechanical skills and want to learn on your trans you're probably looking at a weekend, start to finish not including install and removal time. If you have no familiarity and limited mechanical skills you need to have someone do it for you. Ed |
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Not anticipating any issues. Shifter position is period correct for 289. Hole in trans. tunnel already cut. Happy Easter all! Cheers Glen |
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The TKO is as sweet as the old T-5, provided you dial it in, as mine was .022” TIR off centre ! The other thing I got right was having a short shaft fitted and a low profile bellhousing. This makes the whole drivertrain shorter, that helps with the heat out and allows a fractionally longer driveshaft. My only mistake was the Super Street Pro 75236 12” clutch. My operating system has to be 1:1 and it’s ridiculously heavy, although it not that noticeable when you are actually driving. In summary, live many owners I’ve found the TKO ideal and don’t see any reason to seek a transmission that’s longer, bigger and heavier. |
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Fastd, I have a 3.54 rear. Sorry for the reply delay.
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Wait, my calculator says 47-48 with 26” tires @ 5000 rpm. That’s pretty ideal imo.
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I've had a built aluminum side oiler in an ERA (3.31 rear), and now have a built 438 W in a Unique. Both cars had the close ratio top loader, so I'm used to a pretty "tall" 1st gear. With both these cars, I use 1st gear a bunch around town.....low speed, tight streets. I never get to 3rd unless I'm out of Savannah's downtown historical district. I have probably erred in installing motors that don't like running much below 2,000 rpm. But I like it, and it keeps the other household drivers out of it!
From the above, you'd think it makes sense to have a lower first. However, to me, a cobra is a high powered beast that is slanted towards high speed work, where it is meant to be operated. The fact that I choose to operate it at low speed where it can be a bit uncomfortable, is actually part of its uncompromised charm. My car is very truly not a car for all seasons! As I relate to my bride, the car is set up for my tastes, and few folks are as crazy as me. That's when the frying pans start flying. But I digress.....I'm doing about 18-19 mph at 2,000 rpm in first. My motor will easily hit 7 grand. |
If you're really interested in taking on the project of making your TKO shift better , here's a video of someone who knows all about them doing it . Transmission comes out of a Cobra Kit Car that the owner wants to shift better and you also has a leak . Great video to watch if you just want to learn about the trends . https://youtu.be/8YBeFZzv83Y
Fred |
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I love his videos. Very informative and he is a good explainer. Having cut my teeth on Borg Warner and Muncie I am not a fan of the Tremec either but it came in the car and I will have to live with it. Firstly, I can't understand the size of the thing just to add an overdrive. Second I could never consider racing with that transmission because it just doesn't shift like I would lime it to and I am not taking it out. It is what it is so I will just live with it.
Fred |
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Excellent video, Fred. For anyone that is contemplating doing this yourself Paul's video is a pretty clear walk through the disassembly and assembly of the transmission. I would also encourage you to download the Tremec service manual from their website or one of their Tremec Authorized reseller websites. The job is not rocket science stuff but there is a lot of detail you need to be aware of and attentive to. The Service Manual will hit those details and Paul's video will show you the actual process being performed in real time. If the job seems to be a bridge too far, give it to a transmission shop that is familiar with and services your particular unit. If you do it yourself disassembly organization is key to proper reassembly. Keep assembly parts bagged and tagged or otherwise contained together for easier assembly. You might want to get some replacement needle bearings. If you are like me, I always somehow loose one or two rollers even on a flat table with retaining walls to prevent parts from falling to the floor. I always find the lost bearing after the particular transmission component is fully assembled and installed. Extra's are a godsend. Ed |
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A for 17 years. It shifted like a turd. I hope the TKO 600 Road Race is an upgrade out of the box... |
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