Tremec proposal

[Jack21]

"When a thousand as*holes speak with one voice, even the king must pay heed". (Wizzard of Id)

The singlemost complaint one hears about Tremec is the lack of a close ratio gearset for the thing. Second, for the OD gear.

These thing were (and still are) great for replacing T-5's in Mustangs with stock (2.74) rear gears. But not so great for decent performance gears in Cobras. Low is too low, and high is too high.

My T5Z has 2.95 first, and a .80 OD which is perfect for 3.55 and 3.73 rear gears. Launches good, and cruise at 70 os around 2500 RPM. Shifts smooth. It is admittedly running at the edge of the envelope behind a stout 351. The tires I'm runing do hook up, and eventually the T-5 will break if I stand on it. Reluctant to put a 393 in it.

If we all start e-mailing Tremec to build us a close ratio and OD gearset for these things, perhaps they will listen?

Could someone post the Tremec website or e-mail address here?

[computerworks]

Tremec boxes are apparently made in Mexico...

TRANSMISIONES Y EQUIPOS MECANICOS, S.A. DE C.V.
(TR..E..MEC) (get it?)

Av. 5 de febrero No. 2115 C.P. 76120
Fracc. Industrial Benito Juárez
Querétaro, Qro. México
Tel (011-52)(4) 2-11-73-00
Fax: (011-52)(4) 2-11-73-36

Their web server is on an indefinite siesta.
http://www.tremec.com.mx

...so a fax or a letter would be best.
e-mail??? ...we don't read no steenkin' e-mail

?si hablar espanole?

[bran3b]

Tremec has attempted to help with a closer ratio overdrive at .80 (I think). This is in the TKO II which adds a few dollars to the price. I don't know if a close ratio 1-4 box is in the works (I doubt it).

Bran

[Roscoe]

Tremec web site:

http://www.ttcautomotive.com/welcome.htm

I also have a number for them if you cannot find it on the web site.

Roscoe

[Jeff Frigo]

Jack:


The transmission you talk about exists already. Its called a Richmond 5 speed. They have three different first gears, it will handle 600 HP all day long, and is priced ($1,900 in Summit) close to a TKO. I have never understood why so many people use the Tremec. In my opinion, its a piece of $hit compared to the Richmond. If you put any kind of house power to it and hook it up, you will wipe out third gear gaurenteed. Let the 5 liter and SPF boys keep it. My budddy has had a Richmond in his 9.90 second Nova for over 10 years without a problem. By the way, Richmond is the old Doug Nash 5 speed.

Richmond Gears




Jeff

[webebob]

Originally posted by Jeff Frigo
Jack:


. Let the 5 liter and SPF boys keep it.



Jeff

What do 5.0 liter boys and "SPF boys" have in common?
More than 40% of SPF's are running in the 500hp range or better.
Or have I just read too much into your statement?

466ci SPF "boy"

[Jeff Frigo]

webebob:


The two groups of people have little in common. The Tremec is based off of the original T-5 5 speed that was designed for 5.0L Mustangs, not big blocks. Put a set of slicks on your car and see what happens.



Jeff

[Cal Metal]

In addition to the Richmond, look at the Toploader (bullet proof), and the Jerrico.

[Jack21]

As near as I can tell, the Tremec is a Mexican truck transmission that by design or happenstance fits a Ford toploader bellhousing, which fits a Ford engine. Somewhere along the line, they were being marketed as replacements for abused T-5's.

They work, but they'd work better with a gearset more suited to a Cobra, or a Mustang with 3.55 or 3.73 gears for that matter.
Thought if we Ford guys started griping, Tremec might listen. Doesn't even have to be Tremec per se', just an aftermarket gearset manufacturer (like Richmond) to grind a decent set of replacement cogs for the trans.

Toploaders are available from several sources completely refurbished, and about the same price as new T-5's. I wanted a good cruise gear for the car.

Richmond 5 speeds are good units, and with a big block, likely a good option.

The Tremec is in the middle price range. The T-5 is about $1100 - $1200 new. The Tremec, about $1300 (3550)- 1600 (TKO) new. Richmond around $1900 new.

[Jeff Frigo]

Guys:


Let me stand corrected: (by myself)

After spending some time on the net last night, this is what I found:

Tremec 3550 350 ft.lb. capacity $1,300
Tremec TKO 450 ft.lb. capacity $1,600
Tremec TKO II (.83 od) 450 ft. lb. capacity $2,200
Ricmond Gear 5 speed 450 ft. lb. capacity $1,900

I'm comparing apples to apples on the capacity values. You may see higher capacity numbers for the Tremecs from aftermarket sellers, but the numbers I show above are directly from the manufacturers. The TKO II does make this model more useable, but first gear may still be a little to low. What I should have said in the last post is the 3550 is very questionable capacity wise, and both the 3550 and the TKO are not that desirable gear ratio wise. The TKO II has a good od. ratio, still probably to low of a first gear, and $300 more than a Richmond. Richmond is still the winner in my book, especially now that I explained everything.




Jeff

[Bob Putnam]

Jeff,

To your $1900 figure for the Richmond Gear, add about $300 for the Long shift linkage too.

Oh - and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

[Jeff Frigo]

Bob:


Just when I start to make sense, you had to burst my bubble, well not really, $2,200 = $2,200. That's why I have a Top Loader, can't afford a Richmond.

Did you guys like the note I put on the top of the check that I sent you a few weeks ago? About missing someone?



Merry Christmas:



Jeff

[Bob Putnam]

Jeff,

Sorry - I didn't see your check. Those things are on a completely different track than my train is on. We let Peter worry about the money - that's why he's going bald.

[Andy Dunn]

the Tremec. In my opinion, its a piece of $hit compared to the Richmond. If you put any kind of house power to it and hook it up, you will wipe out third gear gaurenteed

I think Tremec makes a pretty darn good unit I forget which kit car mag had an article about a year back and they interviewed several manufacturers and I remember them praising the tremec since there are literally hundreds, perhaps even thousands of them in cobras (most with a pile of HP). And I remember one manufacturer said they had never seen even 'one' go bad.

I can only remember one or two posts on both cobra forums related to broken tremecs. The one that comes to mind is 'coyled' exploding his at Willow Springs...but he does have a nascar 660HP engine and road raced it two years with slicks before it blew...and that is a 3550, not even a TKO.

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/show...5&pagenumber=2




Andy

[Dwight]

I just bought a TKO from D&D of Wixom, MI. for $1299 plus shipping. The box was factory marked 3550 II, and a hand written TKO on the out side of the box. Inside a blue factory tag is labeled TR3550-2. What do I have? Torque rating, 1st gear ratio and OD? I've learned more about Tremec in 15 min. on this Forum that I did in a couple month of looking and talk to shops. Thanks!!!! You guys are great!!!! Could you tell me how to get the dam thing into my Lone Star with out pulling the motor? I got the T-5 out but it was not easy. Had to take the bell and T-5 out at the same time. Tried to put the TKO in yesterday but we could not make it go. I need a couple of inches between the frame and bell or pressure plate. I tried to put the tranie in place to the rear and then install the bell. Not enought room. Oh yes, by the time I bought a new Mcleod bell, clutch, pressure plate and a throwout bearing, pilot, clutch fork, and a Pro 5 shifter it cost me $2100 delivered to Alabama. Not a bad price for a Christmas present to myself.

[coyled]

I now have the tko roadrace tranny in the cobra. It has a hardend third gear, hardend cluster and the .83 overdrive. 1st is a 3.05, second and third are too far away from each other, just like any t5 or tremec. D and D says they have not had one of these break yet, we shall see as I broke third gear at willow with the 3550. I was tempted to go richmond, but I have driven 2 cars with them and they shift so slow, both up and down that I passed. I really wanted to go jerrico but I still street drive the car so that was out too. third, fourth and fifth are close together on the tko I have now so I really like that on the street and track. As long as this one stays together I will be happy btu with 660hp and slicks, I am pushing the limits of the tranny. I was warned against use of anything but gm syncromesh fluid. Slicker fluids may not allow the syncros to slow the gear changes enough to smoothly change gears.scott.

[Andy Dunn]

Hi Dwight

here is the unit I believe you have
http://www.brothersperformance.com/s...re2600708.html

Here is some more general info on the units
http://moderndriveline.tripod.com/mo...eline/id9.html

I believe there are 5 tremec models in the 3550 and TKO line. One is rare and I have only heard of it on this forum

3550
gears: 3.27,1.98,1.34,1.00,0.68
torque: 350 lb. ft
spline: 10 input 26 output

3550 roadrace
gears: 3.27,1.98,1.34,1.00,0.83
torque: 350 lb. ft
spline: 10 input 26 output

3550 II or TKO
gears: 3.27,1.98,1.34,1.00,0.68
torque: 400 lb. ft
spline: 26 input 31 output

3550 II or TKO roadrace
gears: 3.27,1.98,1.34,1.00,0.83
torque: 400 lb. ft
spline: 26 input 31 output

TKO plus (rare)
gears: 3.27,1.98,1.34,1.00,0.83
torque: 530 lbs. ft
spline: 26 input 31 output
rare because they have a hardend third gear and hardend cluster. Coyled wrote about this rare model in the following post

Some sites state the TKO is good for 525lbs, but this does not make sense when it is 15% stronger than the 3550 which is 1.15 X 350 = 402.5. The TKO plus is rated this high but not the TKO.

It gets more confusing since some sites selling them refer to them as
3550
3550 II as RoadRace
TKO
TKO II as RoadRace

If anyone has a tremec manual, you can see their are only 6 parts that differ from the 3550 to TKO and it basically boils down to input and output shaft spline count. The 6 parts different on TKO are
44A 2606415 Extension Housing Without Bushing
55A 2670945 Short Throw Shift Assembly
65A 2606416 Extension Housing Oil Seal
94A 2606412 Input shaft 26 splines
125A 2606413 Output shaft 31 splines
147A 2606417 Extension Housing Bushing

hope this info is useful





Andy

[Dwight]

Andy, I could kiss you in the mouth. No tongue of course! All this infor in a short time. You'r great!!! Thanks a lot and every one, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SSSnake]

I was wondering if anyone knew if the Tremec that is advertised in the Ford Performance Parts Catalog as the 1995 Cobra R Tremec is a 3550 or a TKO. I have also heard that the tremec is quite a bit lighter than the Richmond Gear. I read somewhere around 50 pounds.

Thanks,

Glenn Jr

[coyled]

D and D told me that there were only a few of the TKO plus tranny's left when I baught mine as tremec is not going to make them any more. The other good news about the TKO plus is that the cluster has pressed on gears so that if I snap third gear off I can buy a new third gear and press on a new gear on the cluster shaft instead of having to buy the complete new cluster. The richmond is much heavier as are the new t56 6 speeds. scott