TKO-600 Transmission buying group

[Ant]

Roxie_427,

I have thought of an OD and maybe 3.70, and so on, but I think it makes the gears to low.
I am going to run a Jerico with 2.60, 1.72, 1.28, 1.00

Final drive ratio 3.27, or 3.08 on 26.5" rubber.

[Todd Baumann]

A little or large wrench in the works for everyone, I talked to a supplier yesterday and he said that Tremec has run into a build problem that has stopped production. For how long they don't know right now but are sure that it will put it out for now till the end of June.

I am sorry but I can't wait that long. I will be going another route.

Please remove my name from the list.

Thanks, and sorry again,
Todd

[DonC]

James:
I realize you're out of town but have you heard anything about what Todd is talking about?
DonC

[Anthony]

Roxie,

because 0.62 OD is a large jump from 4th gear (1:1), and is a economy gear, not a performance gear. If you run a 3.50 or higher rear end, then 1st gear is geared too low for optimal performance use. The 0.82 still gives some economy, but also some performance as well. It's all a trade off.

[thorconstr]

Dave, Actually, the gear change from 4th to 5th (.64) is only .36. The change from 1st (2.87) to 2nd (1.89) is .98, 2nd to 3rd (1.28) is .61, 3rd to 4th is .28. So 4th to 5th is very little change compared to 1st, 2nd, & 3rd gear changes.

[James Baldwin]

Hi All,
Sorry for the delay..

I returned from my trip late last night and wanted to give you an update.

I sent Joe the recap of all the orders on Wed. and he was to give price quotes on each package. We had some that were just transmissions orders and others who wanted the works. He did try to call me back while I was in meetings but he did not email me the list. I hope to have this thing wrapped up on Monday and will keep everyone updated accordingly.

There is certainly urgency to get this thing done, especially since my car arrives today!

[Anthony]

Al,

it is the relative % change between gears, not the raw number that the engine "sees". So 1st to 2nd is a %34 drop in rpms. 4th to 5th is a %36 percent drop in rpms, so the engine sees a larger drop in rpms between 4th and 5th than between 1st and 2nd, even though the raw number difference is smaller. Most transmissions are designed such that as the car is goes faster, the percent change is less, as torque multiplication is less, trying to keep the engine in the best possible hp rpm range.

So shifting at 6000 rpms from 1st to 2nd would be a drop of 2040 rpm, so the engine would be going 3960 when shifted into 2nd.

Questions to ask yourself about picking a tranny are:
How much is cost a factor? availability ? Durability ? Street Driveability ? Performance (racing) factor? Originality? Overdrive capabilty? How much overdrive?


So with the TKO600, the rpm % changes would be
34%, 32%, 22%, 36%

In a standard 3550/TKO
39%, 32%, 25%, 32%

In a wide ratio TL
30.6%, 29.5%, 26.5%

In a Close ratio TL
27%, 24%, 22.4%

In a Richmond 5sp
35%, 26%, 21.6%, 19%

Muncie M21/22
25.5%, 24.4%, 19.4%

When I was determining which tranny I wanted, I had calculated all these figures out, except obviously for the TKO600, comparing the trannys to help make my decision.


All of these transmissions are fine, but the I think the key after determining which transmission you want is to then pick the rear diff ratio to maximize the use of the tranny, as 1st gear can vary a great deal. Generally, performance trannys have closely spaced ratio's (low % change between gears).

When I was deciding on which tranny I wanted, the delimma I had was to try to figure out what diff ratio I needed as well. I spoke to Bob Putman at a ERA, who knows a lot of guys seriolus about racing, who have experimented with different tranny/rear ratio's, and for drag racing "maximal acceleration from a dead stop", he told me that you didn't want to go much higher than 9 for first gear multiplication (1st gear ratio X rear diff ratio). Although I haven't perfected drag racing yet, his formula seems right.

[McCobra]

James,
Please take me off your list for the transmission.
I need more time to plan all my upgrades and don't want to hinder you and the other guys from pulling this off quickly.
Thanks for all your hard work on this project.
Mike

[James Baldwin]

No problem Mike and Todd

[thorconstr]

Dave, I understand what your saying, but shifting at 6000 to 5th the RPMs would be 3840 or so, well within the powerband of a 427. The .82 would only drop to 4920, now you have me thinking again! Thanks!

[Morris]

James

Any word on this delay... that Todd is talking about...???

Just checking in to see what's going on....

Morris

[James Baldwin]

Hi All,

spoke to Joe twice today and he has not heard about the delay. His rep from Tremec will be in there next week but he will try to have an answer back before then.

He also confirmed that he should be sending the quotes for each of you throughout the day tomorrow. I will email them to you as I get them. It will have all the terms and questions answered for you.

Believe me, I just got my car on Sunday so I want these things as bad as the rest of you!

[James Baldwin]

Update...
A few of you have spoken to Joe and he will be responding to all your questions over the next couple of days. He has some of the prices worked out but needs more time due to the end-of-the-month business stuff.

I am leaving town and have given him your all your contact information (for those of you who I have received emails from) and he will contact you that way with the rest of the info. He assures me he will followup with all of you.

For you DFW, TX guys, we can talk about it at the meeting on Saturday.

Thanks
James

[James Baldwin]

I have received a few emails from the out-of-state guys that have not yet heard from Joe. He assures me he will call but has also said that you may call him directly to handle the purchase. There are a bunch of you and I am sure it will take him a while.

But please do call him if you have any questions.
Joe Dietrich
800-783-8726



Thanks
james

[Roger Bolick]

I have yet to see the longer input shaft addressed completely.

I cannot remember the Ford history, but somehow there became two lengths of the input shaft and the old FE installations had the shorter one. Otherwise the Toploader and Tremec 5 speed are identical. Oh, one other difference is the belly is slightly larger and the trans mount moves back a couple of inches to clear the larger 5 speed belly. Even the trans mount hole spacing is identical!

There are two means to retrofit these:

1. pay $150 for a 3/4" aluminum adaptor
2. use the shorter input shaft, its a Tremec part (this isn't just a shortened shaft, its redone on the end and looks like the toploader tip)

These are easy to change once you've done it the wrong way once...

I paid $100 to swap this input shaft when I purchased my Tremec. It would be NICE to have the factory ship these this way!!!!

Adaptor vs. correct input shaft

1. cheaper
2. eliminates weight and 4 extra bolts and the aluminum plate
3. retains the same driveshaft length as the toploader
4. retains the same shifter position as the toploader
5. lessens the rearward movement of the trans mount...
6. lessens the rearward movement of the big belly, a factor in Mustans, etc.

If you buy the input separately its $246 and then you have a spare brand new input shaft... wow, just what I always wanted! Guess you could swap to a small block with this piece.

A factory special order part number would be ideal.

I see no negatives and am surprised that no one mentioned this....

[James Baldwin]

Update...

For those of you who have been patiently (unlike me) waiting for the short input shaft kits..... FINALLY, they are shipping this week and should be available within the next week or two. Let the fun begin.

[Ted Parrish]

Can anyone tell me if we're still on for buying the TKO 600's???

[James Baldwin]

Ted,

Yes, please contact Joe at Standard Transmission and have him give you the pricing information.

Joe Dietrich
800-783-8726

I have not spoken to Joe in about two weeks and I will talk to him as soon as I return home - hopefully the short input shafts have been delivered.

[Morris]

James

The short input shaft TKO 600 showed up at my place today.... from Joe at Standard Transmission....

Everything seems to be in great shape.... now just need to figure out where to put the mounts...

Morris

[James Baldwin]

Great news Morris. Thanks for the update.

Gee, I might actually get to drive this car before it rots away