TKO 600 Problem

[Ant]

I think most transmissions can have problems, I have used Toploaders, Muncies, Seanz race transmissions and my current new Jerico five speed!

The Muncie was fantastic, and faster changing than the Toploader, and the Toploader can have baulking problems but some of that can be attributed to worn linkages etc.

I read a post (Coyled) mentioning the TKO has parts in it made of pot material, well when you read the many problems with the old Tremec 3550 etc, and now the 600 blowing its guts on race tracks, why would you buy a mass produced peice of rubbish, and they even call one version a "Road Race" ...........??? even if you put the trans behind a 100bhp engine it would probably still have shift problems. It is evident from road racers who now have realised either a nice Toploader, or G-force, Jerico purpose built transmissions are better ways to go. I considered a TKO 600RR Transmission and I am pleased I purchased the Jerico. I guess for road use the Tremecs are okay if you dont beat on them!

All these problems just for the extra fifth gear, and they apparently copied off the Toploader in some of the design, well they certainly fudged that up, having said all that I recommend for street and part time racers the T56, which can be had from several suppliers with different gear sets and triple cone syncros even 22 helix semi straight cut gearsets, the downfalls are the weight/$$$$$, plus used with a ridiculously heavy Lakewood bellhousing and you have about 175lbs of transmission, but thats okay in a big block grunter, my cars total weight of transmission and bellhousing is 100Ibs. G-force make a nice race T56 that can handle 900bhp, and other suppliers 650bhp versions, and they shift nicer than the 600.

[Rich Scherer]

Thanks guys, I think you solved my dilemma on what Tremec to use for my new BDR 402R. Yes the TKO 600 is more robust w/ 600 Torque Cap.,but I think after hearing about the misfortures I'll go with the T56 6 speed which of course is rated at only 450 Torque Cap. If it's used in the Vipers, Z06, SVT Cobra, Aston Martin DB7 Etc. it can't be all that bad. We sell alot of Vipers at the dealer where I work, and they have never had one in for service. That's good enough for me. I also don't plan to terrorise the track, but cruise around it. ANT your the man! I'll check into changing the gear set Etc. with a supplier in Ft. Lauderdale that does than change over.........

[Cobra 29]

I need help in understanding more about this Jerico five speed G-force transmission. Is the manufacturer Jerico and the model G-force? Where can I get the dimensions and undserstand what bellhousing I need to connect to a 351W?

[Rich Scherer]

Cobra 29 as for Jerico Tramsmission info it's all in their website jericoperformance.com. A very race oriented Trans, confusing, and way over my head. And wait till you check the price list and options....Think i'll stick with a Tremec T-56...Boy that Ford top loader in my last sideoiler Unique worked good!!! Happy hunting.. ............

[Ant]

Cobra 29,

Thanks Rich,

This is what I have for limited road and track use!
http://www.jericoperformance.com/4.html


GF5R is a road race transmission like the Jerico, and they have to be driven fast but once you are used to them they are the ticket, very little HP loss much easier to work on than a normal type transmission, and you dont have the syncro problems.
G-force make a nice T56 gear set, and if you use the Viper case the gear lever will be in a more forward position than the Ford case, I think the GM T56 is further back again they all vary. The T56 has triple cone syncros so they are a lot better for hard use than the TKO, which going by the CC Posts, really a road use transmission "ONLY"

http://www.g-forcetransmissions.com/productoverview.asp

All the above transmissions including the T56 race trans are around USD$6000, another option is to get a nice 4speed Toploader with alloy case from David Kee, alloy case not recommended for hard use drag racing, much cheaper than the above transmissions and what I would go for but I wanted a five speed race trans so I went for the Jerico, and one thing to bear in mind the race transmissions use dog rings like blocks that fit into slots in the gears and these round off/chip and may need replacing over time, but I know guys with 840bhp and Jerico Five speeds (magnesium case 80Ibs all up) that have not touched them for 8 years use and more, but these cars are mainly track use, so it doesnt really matter if you do bearings and dog rings every few years!

[Ant]

Quartermaster make a steel lightweight bellhousing 19Ibs, that fits either Ford or Chev, it is under half the weight of a Lakewood and more compact, but you need to use the QM flexplate or flywheel and starter with it, here are the part numbers, but my setup is more race than road, the clutch is a Cerametallic Rally clutch from Tilton which is more tolerant to some slippage, and in my opinion much better than a single disc heavy unit, my usage is mainly road racing, so for Drag racing this may not be the best option.

Also my Jerico is in GM Pattern ie front shaft length, bolt pattern, main shaft 32spline which is needed to suit Quartermaster lightweight Bellhousing #
Mark Williams hardened 1350 Yoke is needed also for the needle roller output bearings, this is precison gear and virtually unbreakable, but we are really getting away from normal road car stuff.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/asp...qx/product.htm
My bellhousing has cutouts similar to the lightweight all GM item on this site!
Tilton Rally twin plate clutch 740ftIbs torque, #66-302UG
Tilton disc set # 64185-7-AA-36, this suits the Jerico or G-force 26spline x 1.125" front shaft.
Tilton Button flywheel suit Ford Windsor #19008
Quartermaster Flexplate # 509322
Quartermaster Ultra duty Starter #114300
ARP Flywheel bolts for this setup #350-2801
Tilton 600 series hydraulic release bearing

Hope that helps, it may not be what you want, as once you start with buying race transmissions a vicious cycle of spending money starts, but in my opinion a good clutch is most important, even if you are just running a nice Toploader transmission which will work just as well as the above for most things. Using a 4speed Ford Toploader will be a fraction of the price and if you get rid of the heavy flywheel/clutch, and maybe use a flexplate and a good quality smaller diameter clutch, this wont really cost anymore than a jolly great heavy single disc unit, the only compromise you may have to make is careful rear end ratio selection for the usage you require if you are running a higher rpm, less torquey engine,.

This information I have supplied is just another way of building a Cobra, and I must say I have had some hassles with the wrong parts coming all the way to NZ, but a lot of fun having some nice hardware to play with!!

[Ital-cobra]

Well well only 750 miles on my TKO 600 and it happened ....stuck in second gear from park not fun. Easy to fix thanks to clubcobra.com but a pain to remove. Tremec well that's a whole different matter, thier aware of the problem but have no solutions or guaranties.

Joseph