Transmission Choices?

[blykins]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

yes its huge, but it has six different shifter locations

As does the TKO 500/600.

Here is a brief synopsis:

*If you want to go for authenticity, then go with the Toploader. They are plenty strong enough, even for big blocks. The only con here is that they have no overdrive.

*The T5 is too weak for a higher performance engine. I've seen many of them break in factory 5.0 Mustangs. They are, however, the lightest of any I'm going to name, and they shift really well.

*The TKO 500/600 is all-around the best bang for the buck. They will handle an enormous amount of power (500 lb-ft for the TKO 500, 600 for the TKO 600). Their ratings are in "continuous" torque, not peak torque. They are very strong. These transmissions do require a break-in period so that they will limber up. Otherwise they are quite notchy from the factory. They will bolt up to a Toploader bellhousing if equipped with a short input shaft.

*The Magnum T-56 is a nice transmission (rated for 700 lb-ft), but it's 1. Expensive 2. Long 3. Heavy. There's not many situations where this transmission is required and I hardly ever recommend the use of one. They are bigger in girth, longer, and weigh about 25-30 lbs more than a TKO. The transmission tunnels of some replicas will not accept them. They are made with hydraulic throw out bearings in mind (a big no-no in my book), but with modification, the midplate can accept a ball stud and a clutch fork. If you're running a solid axle car, this transmission makes the driveshaft even shorter, which loads the u-joints even more.

*The Richmond boxes are nice, but they too are very expensive. They are smaller in size so they will fit in a lot of transmission tunnels, but the shifter is an external linkage, like a Toploader, so you have to keep that in mind. The older boxes are rated for about 400-450 lb-ft, while the new stuff is closer to 600.

As far as pricing goes, you'll pay about $1500 for a rebuilt Toploader, $2195 for a TKO 600, $2795 for a Mag T-56, and up over $3500 for one of the nice Richmond boxes.

In my mind for a nice street car, it comes down to two choices: 1. Toploader 2. TKO 600. The TKO is available with two overdrive ratios, so it can be custom suited to whatever drivetrain combination you're working with.