Is there any chance of finding a tremec 3550 or tko 500 without buying new, or used for $1200? I been trying some info on what vehicles came with them to see if there is any chance of getting one at a boneyard. Is that possible, or rare? Anyone know vehicles I could hunt for that might have one to use behind my ford 347?
not sure, have read several mixed reviews about the world cl*** from some that owned it. They all say once the tore it up, the went to a 3550 or tko 500. The engine is a 347 that hasnt been tested yet, but was custom built and guestimated around 400-450 rwhp. Can it handle it? Those who didnt like it were probably dogging it though, I wont be all that often, not going to be racing, just the occasional show out. What could I search for to find either?
Hevent called any auto recyclers, not real sure how to go about finding them. Any ideas? Been searching craigs, nothing to be had locally, and I watch everyday. AODs are a dime a dozen though. Never seen racingjunk before, will check it out, thx
I think they are too new to show up used very often. There is a verison in one of the newest Mustangs, some type of GT, 500, KR etc, some B.S. name, a high performance model. If you could locate that model that has been totaled. The T56 came in Camaro, Firebird and Viper. 1993 till defunct, $1200.00 could buy one of those.
The 3550 can be found in some late modle Mustangs. My understanding is that the TKO 500 and TKO 600 are aftermarket only. For your application I'd look at some of the built up WC T5 out there. I've seen hi-po remans with improved internals in that $1100 - $1200 range.
They chevy versions almost never show up used, too new & desireable & low production The 3550 came in the last of the rounded mustangs before the retro body came out, but it's ford fitment, same as the majority of the aftermarket versions. Fox body guys were buying those & TKOs for a couple years before the chevy versions hit. good luck
The Tremec 3550 ONLY came in 1995 Mustang Cobra R models with the 351W engine. I know of no other vehicle that came with it stock. This later became the TKO TKO 500 TKO 600. The 1996-1999 Mustang GT/Cobra used the T-45 trans which has a 4.6 bellhousing cast in and won't bolt straight up to a 5.0. Keisler has beefed up T-45's that are modified to bolt to 5.0's. The 2000-2004 V8 Mustangs used the TR-3650 except the 2003/4 Cobra which used a T56.
Used TKO 600's do come up on eBay every once and a while. The bidding is pretty agressive on them though- you could just get a new one for what the used ones sell for. I think I saw a used Chevy spec TKO 600 go for $1700? Yikes.
A keisler salesperson told me Mercedes used the 3550 too. I'm guessing the US-market only $30K "entry level" cars they did for a couple years around 2000.
There seems to be a lot more of these around than the cars they came in. I suspect a lot of mustang guys with busted T-5s bought em once they were offered as a service part.
Yes, the stangers love them, I keep an eye out on their cl***ifieds, there are always some for sale, but used they are still over $1000
D&D trans in wixom Michigan. 248-393-4427 Joe Dunn is the guy to ask for. He will be able to fix you up. I know a few guy that have bought take outs from them.
This might sound stupid but there is one advantage to buying used. Mine's been in use for around 10K and is just finally starting to shift decently. Real clunky even with the bellhousing dialed in. I would've been much much happier, and missed a lot less shifts, if it shifted the same new as it does today. Serious notch-box behavior.
Did you try streetcarforums.com? I would go with the tko600. I had one in my 91GT drag car with nitrous and all. It was in the 550hp range and it could handle that and more. It may cost you a little more up front but it would save you in the long run because it would be harder to break. JMHO
I will call d and d and see what they have. thx I am not scared to go used either, really ***umed that I would to save some money. Especially in a tremec or tko, they are supposedly bullet proof I have looked a bit on streetcarforums, will keep checking. what is the big difference in the 500 vs 600?
That's interesting, a quick search showed no mention of Mercedes using the 3550 but I really couldnt find any information on what transmissions mercedes used.
The main difference between the TKO 500 and 600 is the gear ratios. The 500 has a 3.27 first, like the factory T5, the 600 has a 2.87 first, and a closer spread on the intermediate gears. Less gear multiplication means it can handle more input torque. Your rear axle ratio is also a consideration. If you have a highway gear, the lower first will give a better launch. If you have low rear gears the 3.27 launch like a dump truck, revving quick but not getting far. If you multiply your rear gear by the first gear, something between 9 and 11 will give good drivability. The closer spread in the 600 will also give less rpm drop between shifts, allowing a narrower powerband to be usable. 500 <table id="Table2" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="3" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" width="94">3.27 </td> <td align="center" width="65"> 1.97 </td> <td align="center" width="59"> 1.34 </td> <td align="center" width="65"> 1.00 </td> <td align="center" width="45"> 0.68 </td> <td align="center" width="44"> 3.00 </td></tr></tbody></table>600 <table id="Table2" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="3" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td width="94">2.87 </td> <td width="65"> 1.89 </td> <td width="59"> 1.28 </td> <td width="65"> 1.00 </td> <td width="45"> 0.64 </td> <td width="44"> 2.56</td></tr></tbody></table>
One will hold 500 ft lbs and the other will hold 600 ft lbs. That's what the designation is for. The reason they are as much as they are used is because they will hold more power than a T5 or World Cl*** T5. The old expression "you get what you pay for" definitely applies here.
Try corral.net and http://www.dfwstangs.net/. I bought a 3550 and clutch, bell housing, etc. for a grand and have seen them for less. The reason to use a 3550 over a t-5 is the torque rating. The best t-5 isn't able to handle a 347.
Will do. I visit corral often, have tried the other. I found a 3650 for a good deal, but cant run across the biggest difference in that, and the 3550.
TKO 500 = 500 ft/lb input. TKO 600 = 600. Also, in addition to the ratios listed above, the 600 can have a .82 OD. The big advantage of the 500 / 600 is the up to eight shifter location and both mechanical and electrical speedo hookups.
tko500 has a 500 ft/lbs torque capacity and the tko600 has a 600 ft/lbs capacity and the gear ratios are a little different but they are very similar overall. they are a bit notchy in comparison to other trans as they are a more racing trans.
so whats the skinny on the tremec 3550 and 3650? I know there is something about the bellhousing being built in or something like that on the 3650, but otherwise are they the same?
3650 is totally different trans, only comes with the 4.6 modular bellhousing. In US only came in Mustang GT's and Cobra's. Check out the pics on http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English/products/tremec.asp
If anyone needs a custom offset shifter for either the 3550/TKO or the TKO500/TKO600; I could help out the other members. Also I setup a few bells for Ford 3550/TKO/TKO500/TKO600 for Y-block, Ford flathead, BBM and early hemi available for sale or trade. Looking for some 56/57 368 stuff.
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