LSC 427: Toploader to TKO Conversion

American · #1 (**permalink**) 07-29-2010, 06:05 PM

I'm looking at some LSC Cobras... finally. I've found one that is a 98 chassis, nicely built and finished in 2005. I have discussed upgrade options with Brian at LSC but first I think it needs a transmission transplant.

This car has a 3.55 9" and a Toploader 4 speed. I want to be able to drive it to the hill country, etc so I am thinking it would need a 5 or 6 speed otherwise it's hitting 3200ish at 70-75.

The car might see a track day or two but is primarily for street/highway use. Not chasing the ultimate performance Cobra setup... but it could sure use an OD.

Engine is an aluminum head 351W, probably in the 400HP range, slight over cammed in my opinion at around .560", 650 vac sec carb, etc.

I think the bellhousing is the same, disc is different, drive shaft will need to be shortened, shifter hole relocated a bit... am I missing anything? Thoughts?

I'm reading all the Tremec/TKO/5/6speed threads I can...

Thanks,

Brad
Fort Worth, Texas

blykins · #2 (**permalink**) 07-29-2010, 06:47 PM

Brad,

I sell setups for Cobras all the time....I can answer every question that you have. Give me a buzz...502.759.1431. It's a lot easier to talk than type.

The short and skinny is that I would recommend a TKO 600 with the .82 overdrive (and I may change my mind once I find out your cam specs). You are correct in that it can use the same bellhousing, but the transmission would need a short input shaft installed to fit up correctly. The disc is indeed different. You're going from a 1-1/16x10 to a 1-1/8x26. (You could go with a TKO 500 and not have to change the disc, but the 600 is only $90 more and would give you breathing room in the future if you decide to install a different engine.) The driveshaft shouldn't need shortened if you have a short tailhousing Toploader. The shifter will be about 2" to the right, but I have ways around that.

Also, it's actually the cam durations and lobe separation that determine how thumpy/radical it is. Do you know your cam specs?

American · #3 (**permalink**) 07-29-2010, 08:16 PM

When is the best time to give you a call?

mikeforte · #4 (**permalink**) 07-29-2010, 09:07 PM

Hi Brad,
I think the T-56 Magnum is a good choice too. With 2 overdrive gears you have a choice of .80 5th with .63 6th for cruising.
I stock & sell all of the Tremec models and I manufacture custom external slave/fork kits that eliminate internal hydraulic throw out bearing failures.
I stock any option for bellhousings, clutches, flywheels & any part needed from front to back. I have normal store hours but I'm also on line and often take sales/tech calls nites & weekends on my cell phone 781 248 8946.

For any new purchase of a T-5, TKO-500, TKO-600 or T-56 Magnum I have $100.00 Tremec rebate coupons available on a first come first available basis.

Call Mike or Steve about transmission packages.
Thanks,

blykins · #5 (**permalink**) 07-30-2010, 05:21 AM

Brad, call anytime.....I always have my phone on me.

Z-linkCobra · #6 (**permalink**) 07-30-2010, 06:54 AM

DING DING DING DING DING

IN THE BLUE CORNER WE HAVE B2 MOTORSPORTS, IN THE RED CORNER WE HAVE FORTE'S PARTS CONNECTION.

You guys are funny....lol

mikeforte · #7 (**permalink**) 07-30-2010, 08:23 AM

Hi Guys,

I know that I live in a red state and preach and and vote conserative and non liberal ways.
I am helping Earl Sholley in his campaign to dethrone the embarassing criminal Barney Frank. I still live in the A-oles congressional district and am working diligenty to help Earl Sholley win.
Anyone wanting to help dethrone Barney and get Earl elected, let me know. Earl Sholley sure could use the money.

http://sholleyforcongress.us/?src=Ad...%20sholley&st=

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z-linkCobra

DING DING DING DING DING

IN THE BLUE CORNER WE HAVE B2 MOTORSPORTS, IN THE RED CORNER WE HAVE FORTE'S PARTS CONNECTION.

You guys are funny....lol

Z-linkCobra · #8 (**permalink**) 07-30-2010, 08:42 AM

Mike, first you come on and thread bomb Brents buisiness inquiry by trying to one up him on his offer to help this guy. I made a joke of it just try and lighten the mood...but it was a little chicken%*&@ in my opinoin. Now you come back to my responce with a political add....dude...take that crap some place else.

Gene

mikeforte · #9 (**permalink**) 07-30-2010, 09:24 AM

Hi Gene,
As an advertiser on the Forum here, I also supply parts and as far as I know this is not only a one source parts inquiry with first response wins....
I also manufacture parts that no one else has and customers here on the forum have benifited with superior design that are exclusive to Forte's.
BTW, I weas not bombing, just responding to an iquiry...

As for political stuff, I was responding to Red versus Blue. Massachusetts is typical red state, I am offended by your insinuation that residents of Massachusetts are Red and vote for or condone the behavior of elected officials that are screwing the United States of America.......
My 2 cents

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z-linkCobra

Mike, first you come on and thread bomb Brents buisiness inquiry by trying to one up him on his offer to help this guy. I made a joke of it just try and lighten the mood...but it was a little chicken%*&@ in my opinoin. Now you come back to my responce with a political add....dude...take that crap some place else.

Gene

KevinW · #10 (**permalink**) 07-30-2010, 09:29 AM

2 x 5mg tablets and some water for Mr Mike, please nurse

Excaliber · #11 (**permalink**) 07-30-2010, 09:49 AM

Acrually, I just recently changed out my top loader for a TKO600. I first called Mike, but as fate would have it, it was a holiday weekend and Mike was just leaving for some well deserved time off.

Being the impatient guy that I am I then called B2Motorsports (Brent, like Chuck Norris never sleeps, he waits...).

I suppose either supplier could have provided excellent service, B2Motorsports certainly exceeded my expectations in that regard. I do like to support our CC advertisers, that is the number one priority when it comes to "parts". Which vendor? Well, sometimes that's a tough call. And you know, it's not always about the cheapest price, sometimes it's just nice to deal with someone you have gotten to know and trust.

D-CEL · #12 (**permalink**) 07-30-2010, 09:58 AM

Companies aside, I have to go with Brent's advise on the trans. A TKO is a much better fit than a T56 in this application. I cant see any reason to run a T56 in any Cobra, let alone this one that is over cammed and tall(er) geared. At the high speeds where the gear split advantage of the T56 would be useful, a Cobra has crashed into the aerodynamic wall.
The higher weight, physically bigger in every respect T56, offers little (if any) advantage and does it at a higher cost.
Don't get me wrong, the T56 is a cool trans, just not in this application.
The TKO is smaller, lighter and cheaper just a better fit in my opinion.

Jason

Excaliber · #13 (**permalink**) 07-30-2010, 10:15 AM

I like the slightly higher 1st and 2nd gear ratio's of the T56, but in my case, see little of no benefit to 6th gear being it is to high for my liking.

mikeforte · #14 (**permalink**) 07-30-2010, 10:16 AM

Hi Jason,
I agree that the TKO-600 .82 is a great fit, lighter and will work fine in most applications. The bellhousing, clutch kit (26 spline) is a bolt in with the short input installed.
As for the T-56 Magnum, it does fit many applications and can "split" the overdrive so you can have the best of both worlds....

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-CEL

Companies aside, I have to go with Brent's advise on the trans. A TKO is a much better fit than a T56 in this application. I cant see any reason to run a T56 in any Cobra, let alone this one that is over cammed and tall(er) geared. At the high speeds where the gear split advantage of the T56 would be useful, a Cobra has crashed into the aerodynamic wall.
The higher weight, physically bigger in every respect T56, offers little (if any) advantage and does it at a higher cost.
Don't get me wrong, the T56 is a cool trans, just not in this application.
The TKO is smaller, lighter and cheaper just a better fit in my opinion.

Jason

Z-linkCobra · #15 (**permalink**) 07-30-2010, 11:39 AM

Mike, I am not political enough to know what states are red and what states are blue...and to be totaly honest with you could care less. I know how I vote and know what my views are...thats all that matters to me.No offense was intended My 2 cents worth. In the boxing ring most of the time you hear red corner and blue corner...thats what my reference was to.

I think its a little disrespectful to the first responder. If you wanted to respond in a PM or e-mail I think would be perfectly acceptable.

just my 2 cents

Gene

FUNFER2 · #16 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 11:09 AM

Brad- I also have a LSC Cobra, 2000 modle year. I'm interested if you bought & installed the T-56 ?

bobcowan · #17 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 04:34 PM

I agree the TKO is the best choice. I considered a T56, but for a lot of reasons, it doesn't fit me well. I'v loked at the T56 Magnums. I might consider one of those, but they are so darned expensive.

I have an older TKO, the predecessor to the 500 and 600. IMO, the older TKO has the perfect gearing. First gear is quite low at 3.29. And then they're spread pretty evenly to 4th. 5th is .64; which is perfect for my street and highway cruising.

The "problem" with the new TKO's is the gearing. The 500 has the lower first gear and wider spread that I like. But the 600 has the torque capacity that I need. If mine ever breaks, I don't know what I'll do.

Mike, your web site used to have all the specs for the Tremecs: gearing, dimension, torque capacity, etc. That was very usefull information that I referred to often. What happened to all that?

Excaliber · #18 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 05:04 PM

I would not like the 3.29 1st gear myself, way to low for my liking and I run a 3.31 rear gear. I much prefer the higher TKO600 at 2.87 (I think it is) and would like an even higher gear than that!!! 2.70 would be just about right. To low in first and I just sit there and spin the tires anyway...

FUNFER2 · #19 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 06:09 PM

I wish I could fit the magnum T-56 but, it's 3" longer than the TKO. I would need to cut out & move a frame X-member back several inch's, and other mods.

mikeforte · #20 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 08:03 PM

Hi Bob,
With the price of the T-56 Magnum at $2795.00 and the TKO-500 at $2095.00 and TKO-600 at $2195.00 and do not have a huge spread in price. If you look at the Richmond overdrive 5 or 6 speed trannies, all Tremec T-56 Magnum & TKO-500 or TKO-600 models are relatively inexpensive. The T-56 Magnum is still a good option for those who are interested in a double overdrive a 700+ ft lbs torque capacity...

I'm a WD for Richmond Gear and have sold thousands of transmissions over the last 28 years when you include the Doug Nash years.

BTW, The early TKO 2600708 & TKO-500 TCET4615 & TCET5201 have the same exact gear ratio. There was a TKO TCET1377 and TCET1376 that came with a .82 overdrive.
I know my website has changed and not for the better. I hope to include much of my old site on my new site someday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcowan

I agree the TKO is the best choice. I considered a T56, but for a lot of reasons, it doesn't fit me well. I'v loked at the T56 Magnums. I might consider one of those, but they are so darned expensive.

I have an older TKO, the predecessor to the 500 and 600. IMO, the older TKO has the perfect gearing. First gear is quite low at 3.29. And then they're spread pretty evenly to 4th. 5th is .64; which is perfect for my street and highway cruising.

The "problem" with the new TKO's is the gearing. The 500 has the lower first gear and wider spread that I like. But the 600 has the torque capacity that I need. If mine ever breaks, I don't know what I'll do.

Mike, your web site used to have all the specs for the Tremecs: gearing, dimension, torque capacity, etc. That was very usefull information that I referred to often. What happened to all that?