TKO 600 Stuck in 2nd Gear for the 3rd time

[luke-44]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Why can't we get a definitive "on the record" response from Tremec on the stuck-in-gear problem? I'm coming down to the wire on the transmission choice for my ERA and I'm about to bail out on Tremec in favor of a top loader solely over this issue.

Originally Posted by SJK2

My thoughts exactly......

Although I have an up and running car with a perfectly functioning toploader, I was thinking of that 5th gear. Add me to this list too.

[Jimi G]

Guys, Tremec produces thousands of these units a year, you can't hold this against them if this is the first and only recorded case, can you? I can tell you this, it doesn't scare me because they are doing everything in there power to fix it, sending the tranny to us, at no cost to the customer, having us tear it down, also at no cost to the customer. You know things can happen, but atleast they, as a company, are willing to work with you. Thats more than I can say about some other companies out there that produce racing trannies. This same company had other problems arise with their units and they were all fixed and corrected at no cost to the customer, so really what is there to worry about? So stop worrying guys, Tremec will be there for you, and as an Elite Distributor for Tremec trannies, so will I.

Thank you,
Jimi G.

[luke-44]

Jimi - fair 'nough. When it's resolved, I would like to know the explanation as to what it was, just out of interest. Thanks, B

[Jimi G]

I want to know myself, so I will be the first to post our findings once we crack this thing open.

Thanks for the patience and understanding,
Jimi G.

[SJK2]

Any feedback yet on these tko 600's.......

[Jimi G]

Not yet guys, we are still waiting on the tranny to arrive for us to look at it, but as soon as we figure something out I will post it here for all to read.
jimig@standardtransmission.com

[leslie.files]

Jim, I was told that Tremec bought out Borg-Warner. Is this true? Can I still get parts for the T5 for that Tranny? one last question, are there updates that can be done to this tranny to make it more rliable? Thanks for any input,

[Jimi G]

Tohmer,

It is true that Tremec bought B & W, and you can still get parts for them. There are some upgrades that can be done to the T5 that will allow it to handle up to 330 ft. lbs. of torque, if you need anything for your T5 let me know. jimig@standardtransmission.com

Jimi G.

[Ant]

For Tremec owners good to read about Tremecs good customer service, and I dont really want to criticise a product, as I hashed over these transmissions and finally went with a Jerico trans effectively making my car more purpose built, and not so user friendly.

Surely the designers of the TKO'S etc copied off the Toploader, what they should have done is copied off a Muncie as well, and just added another gear, I have raced with both Toploaders and Muncies and the latter is one quick changing SLICK box, but they all wear out and can break under hard abuse!

I suppose Tremec TKO series transmissions are all good in a standard road car, as long as you dont abuse them, shame that, at least when you brought Cobra 427, Falcon GT351, Camaro Z28 with the HD transmissions you could hammer the cr*p out of them for a long time, mostly with no problems!

My recommendation is if you can go with a T56, (same company) with the better triple cone syncros, and if the budget allows the 22 degree helix gear kit from G-force etc, the only downside is more expense, and they are heavier.

[Jimi G]

The only other problem with the T56 trannies is they are much larger and harder to squeeze into the limited tunnels on the Cobras, along with the fact that despite the triple sycro upgrade, which we offer, they are still only rated to 450 Ft. Lbs. of torque, and they do not shift as smoothly under a load as the TKO's do. jimig@standardtransmission.com

Jimi G.

[trularin]

I originally wanted the T56, even asked around.

I emailed Jimi and asked about the trans. He was willing to sell me what I wanted, but after I checked with the dimensions, I could not get it to fit with what I had set up.

Before you start changing tranmissions, make sure what you are going to will fit. I am in the middle of a trans change right now and things are going much too smooth.

[Zoom This]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Why can't we get a definitive "on the record" response from Tremec on the stuck-in-gear problem? I'm coming down to the wire on the transmission choice for my ERA and I'm about to bail out on Tremec in favor of a top loader solely over this issue.

Well, I'll tell ya what. If I had to do it over again I'd opt for the top loader and get a 3.27 rear end ratio for my Superformance. My original Tremec 3550stuck into 4th gear 50 miles from home last year. I got rid of it and installed a TKO-600. With so much talk about sticking gears in the Tremec I'm dreading the day mines gets stuck. Then I will indeed get a top loader.

[flipper35]

My 833 got stuck in 2nd gear twice early in my Cobra's life because of the external linkage alignment. Never had a problem since. My point, just because something doesn't work right doesn't mean they all will not work right.

[trularin]

Zoom this, mine is for sale.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Zoom This

Well, I'll tell ya what. If I had to do it over again I'd opt for the top loader and get a 3.27 rear end ratio for my Superformance. My original Tremec 3550stuck into 4th gear 50 miles from home last year. I got rid of it and installed a TKO-600. With so much talk about sticking gears in the Tremec I'm dreading the day mines gets stuck. Then I will indeed get a top loader.

The tremec is a good tranny, but, my opinion is that it was designed for small block mustangs i.e. smaller engines with heavier weight than compared to a cobra. The 3550 is a super wide ratio 4 speed with an over drive, and the TKO600 is a wide ratio 4 speed, comparable to a wide ratio toploader, but with an overdrive as well. With the 2.78 1st gear of a wide ratio toploader, you can run 3.07 or 2.88 rears, and not really need an overdrive. The TKO600 has I believe a 2.87 first, even steeper than a wide ratio toploader, with 4th gear 1:1. With such a low 1st gear, I think the 3.07 or 2.88 rears are really optimal, and therefore negate the need for an overdrive. Assuming a toploader is more durable, I'd think you'd be better off to get a wide ratio TL with 3.07 or 2.88 rears than any of the tremecs. If you really want a CLOSE RATIO 5 SPEED, then the tremecs are not for you. You need to get either a richmond 5 speed, or a custom jerico or G-Force, of which all have 5th gear 1:1, with a steep 1st gear, so you would still run basically 3.07 or 2.88 rears.

The close ratio toploader with a 2.32 first will make it hard to get a good cruising rpm, yet still have good 1st gear power. I'm actually in the process of changing my wide ratio toploader to a close ratio, keeping the 3.07 rears. We'll see how it is, and if 1st is too high, maybe I'll switch in a richmond 5 speed with a 3.04 first. I would still have another application for the CL toploader. I thought the gear splits in the wide ratio toploader were a little too wide for my taste, and thought I'd be better off with a close ratio. We'll see.

[flipper35]

I have a 2.47 first with 2.73 rear gears and it is great on the back roads and highway, but make it tough in parking lots and anywhere else you need to go slow. Since I don't cruise the interstate all that much, I think something i the threes for a rear end would be better suited for me.

[Jimi G]

You will probably be best suited with a 3.27 or a 3.55 rear gear, I think either will get you what you are looking for. jimig@standardtransmission.com

[flipper35]

3:55 is what I was looking at since I would only be around 800 rpm higher at freeway speeds. Thanks, I appreciate opinions from people far more knowledgabe than me.

[Jimi G]

Not a problem, let me know if you need anymore help.

[SJK2]

Anything on these trannys yet