Tremec 500 or 600 or TKO
 

Help Me! I'am building a Shell Valley with 392 Crate motor from Ford Performace. I can't deceide which trans to use. 3.50 gears with Detroit Locker and 295/50/15 tires.

If I ever do it again, or if I redo what I have (TKO now), I'll go with the 600. I think the beefier, the better in a car like this. And I don't think the cost is that much more. Plus, the first gear in the 600 is much better. The TKO runs out of 1st gear much too quick.
I went with 3.70 gears. Same tires as yours. I think 3.50 gears are very good.
Dave

Thanks for the help. Where is a good place to get one and price?

You can get the same gearing in either the TKO500 or 600, but why not get the beefiest trans you can, so get the 600.

How much for 600 and where to buy? Melrich

Ford motorsport dealer. part #M-7003-R58C :)
Road Race TKO 600.

Is this the same as the 600?

Not exactly, the gearing is slightly different.

Compare the listing on the FRPP site fordracingparts.com (put the part # in the search box), with the T600 listed at D&D Perfomance site ddperformance.com or the David Kee Toploaders site listed at the left.

I too am doing a little transmission homework and would like to know what others think.

-John

Melrich:
The new TKO transmissions come in 3 flavors. One for the TKO500 and two for the TKO600.
The 500 has the ratios:
3.27, 1.97, 1.34, 1.0, 0.68
The 600 has the ratios:
2.87, 1.89, 1.28, 1.0, 0.68
2.87, 1.89, 1.28, 1.0, 0.82
The 600 with the 0.82 5th gear ratio is referred to as the Road Race transmission.
The transmission’s performance, and the car’s, is going to be based on several factors in addition to the transmission. Engine output, rear end gearing and tire size will also factor in.
Theoretical values for the transmission, rear end and tire size can be determined by using any one of several available calculators. One of the easiest to use is located at http://www.368s.com/tools_rpm.phtml This allows you to simply plug in the numbers for final drive ratio, transmission ratio, tire size and a couple of others and it will generate theoretical values for speed at rpm. These calculations can be really helpful in seeing what changes in any of the values will result in for comparative purposes. Remember though that these are theoretical values and the real world application will vary somewhat. Never the less, a good starting point.
Conventional views recommend a final 1st gear speed to rpm value of no more than 10 mph per 1000 rpm for a “fairly mild street engine”. It’s up to you to determine what a “fairly mild” engine is.
DonC

Try this one also:
http://www.secondstrike.com/Technical/GearCalc.asp
For the 600 5th is .64, road race 600 .82

curtis

Thanks for all of the help. I ordered a 600 from Standard Transmission, at 1-800-783-8726. I talked with a Micheal there, she is very helpful with my order. I will strongly recomend them. Thanks again.

If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for the 600 in round numbers?

About 16-1800 depending on the seller.
DonC

Trans, yoke,throwout bearing fork, shipping $1770