5 Speed in a Kirkham

Rottie · #1 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 09:15 AM

Has anyone one installed a 5 speed in a Kirkham? If so, do you have any advice?

thorconstr · #2 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 10:53 AM

Rottie, I'm using a Tremec TKO 600, the gear ratio is a lot friendlier than the TKO 2. You will have to move the tranny mount, not a big deal though.

Rottie · #3 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 12:23 PM

Did you need to modify the bellhousing? I am thinking of using a TKO 600 like you have.

DonC · #4 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 12:50 PM

Al:
Anxiously awaiting my TKO600 (and the car which should be finished in a couple of months). What's your opinion of the 600?
DonC

The Dreamer · #5 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 03:04 PM

I thought there was someone who put a TKO in a Kirkham, but it involved cutting and re-welding a cross-member. I forget the name of the member, but he had pictures and I believe Chris Kincaid (corrected) from CSXINFO built the car for him. If this is not necessary I would like to go with a TKO 600 as well. The new gears make it ideal and there is a group buy going on.

thorconstr · #6 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 03:37 PM

Rottie, We are using the new McLeod scattershield, clutch & throwout. The mounts are the same as the TKO 2.

Don C., I am waiting patiently for the TKO 600 to come in (Patience hell, I'm going to kill something). My opinion is based only on the added torque and far better first gear, the 327 first in the TKO 2 was good for pulling stumps.

Dreamer, Yes the cross member had to be cut & repositioned, Premier Motorsports did that for me when they painted the car along with a myriad of other things. I put the car on a lift when it was shipped to me and I could'nt tell where the cross member had been originally.
They do some class work!

ST · #7 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Dreamer

I thought there was someone who put a TKO in a Kirkham, but it involved cutting and re-welding a cross-member. I forget the name of the member, but he had pictures and I believe Chris Kane (I think) from CSXINFO built the car for him.

Here's what was done to the frame to get the TKO mounted.
BTW...it's Kris Kincaid

The Dreamer · #8 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 08:09 PM

Al,

Did you have to move the cross member back past the tranny tail or did you cut into the member as in ST's. Looks a little more than I would like to get involved with initially. I think I will let you guys blaze the TKO 600 trail and I will stick with the trusty old toploader for know. I will put the TKO 600 in my P3I (Pre Planned Product Improvment) Plan along with TWM injection and soft top.