TKO Hard to Shift Into 2nd

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

I am convinced ... that many of these shifting problems are somehow related to bellhousing alignment.

That makes sense. Places like Liberty and Astro only charge a couple of hundred bucks for their different ProShift/SureShift/FacePlating jobs. You would think if it was that great that Tremec would do it right out of the factory. I don't know what Brent charges for a SureShift job, but I would bet it's not more than about $75 per gear.

[blykins]

Little less than that.

The majority of the work is done to the gear cones as the machined finish there will vary just due to manufacturing processes.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

Little less than that.

The majority of the work is done to the gear cones as the machined finish there will vary just due to manufacturing processes.

See? That just doesn't make sense to me. If you can fix something, or just make it significantly better, for less than $75 a gear I don't know why it just doesn't come that way from the factory. And you don't even do all the gears anyway.

[blykins]

Because that's an added cost that may not be deemed cost effective if everyone is shifting at lower rpms....

Most high quantity engine rebuilders only bore the cylinders that need it and stick oversize pistons in just a few holes instead of all of them. By your line of thinking, they should take the extra time/cost and do it right.......right? It may not be cost effective.

Plus Tremec boxes are hecho en Mexico.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

I am convinced (based on the sampling results taken from exactly ONE TKO installation in my life in my Cobra) that many of these shifting problems are somehow related to bellhousing alignment.

El, I think you hit the nail on the head. If I remember correctly, the Tremec paperwork states less than .005 runout.

[Excaliber]

Maybe I just got "lucky" with mine and the typical variations that can occur with a manufactured product. Some items just come out better than others.

From time to time I see comments about certain additives to the TKO trans oil, or maybe I'm just confused? I used the recommended trans oil with no additional additives.

One other note on my setup. I did order a bronze pilot bushing but determined that my existing bearing based pilot would be adequate, perhaps better. So I left it in place. Anyone want to buy a bronze pilot bushing?

[blykins]

Not from the manufacturer.

Doing these upgrades is nothing new for companies that want to add more performance to a transmission. It's common for Toploaders, T-5's, T-56's, etc. Just a normal progression of "making things better." I suppose it's the same line of thinking of buying a new crate engine and jabbing a new cam in it or adding a new intake to it. Just improving what needs improved.