I've decided to put a manual trans in my '32 ford or project. I am ready to order it and had a couple of questions before I do. The car is going to have a 283 that I am guessing will make about 260 hp. It has a 3.89 rear gear and I am using a 265/75-15 tire that measures about 30". I chose the tire size because it looked right and the rear gear based on the ratios of the 700r4 that was originally going in it. Based on the hp and weight of the car I am positive that the 500 will hold up with no problem, but I am wondering if I should go with the 600. This car will be my new daily and most of the driving will be around town under 50mph. I also did a search for "Tremec" and Hurst Driveline, Keisler and a couple of others came up as decent places to buy. I did not see an alliance vendor listed for them, is there one? Which of these places is the best to buy from? Thanks
To be honest, a TKO is overkill for your application. I was in the same boat a year about when setting up my '32 that has a decent flat motor in it. I talked with Astro Performance in Florida, and they built me a really nice T5 with the ge****t I wanted, some better internals for $1800 shipped to my house. You're going to have around $2500 in a TKO once you do a mid-shift conversion for the proper shifter location. The T5 is slightly smaller in diameter, and weighs less. The smaller size alone should be the major selling point.
Do a T5 unless you really need the beef of the TKO series trans, the TKO is wider and the trans mount is further back. The difference on the 500 versus the 600 is all preferance on your gear splits. If you were racing and did alot of 80mph plus runs, get the 600 if not the 500 is good.
All good points, but what about the shift location for the T5? Can it be manipulated like the TKO? I did not point out that the car will have a bench seat, but that was one of the TKO selling points for me.
The difference between the 500 and 600 is the gear ratios. The 500 has a 3.27 first gear, the 600 has a 2.87. Less gear multiplication allows more torque input. The closer ratios have less rpm drop between gears which will suit an engine with a narrow power band. I agree the TKO is overkill for your needs, but if you don't mind the cost, go with the gear ratios that suit your driving style.
If you get a truck T5 youll get the foreward shift location V6 or v8. If you go to a rebuilder, get a worldcl*** T5 with the truck shifter location.
Look for FlatErnie's T5 tech articles for info on T5s - but the S10 tail housing gets you a shifter location close to a stock shift tower location:
The S10 shifter is 12" back from the bellhousing. The TKO can do 7". If that's worth the extra cost to you, go for it.
Yes, CTaulbert is right in that a Tremac is overkill for your application. A T-5 would work just fine, but in my opinion, be on the very edge of being just fine. I always step up for overkill, personally. It also gives you room to go further in the future with engine output and not worry about creating the next weak link. I have a 3.27 first geared TKO500 in my Plymouth, and it's the best money I have EVER spent on a car. My only dissappointment is going with the deeper first gear. That was all that was available when I puchased mine. If I could have gone with something more in the line of a 3.00 first and a bit deeper rear gear, (mine is 3.23 with 26.6" tall tires works out to about 75 @ 2100rpm) I think gear spacing would be a bit better. I don't know what the current gear seys offered in the TKO500 are, but I know that what I wanted was coming in the TKO600, but I didn't want to wait for it's introduction at the time. (we're talking about 7 years ago) My .68 overdrive however, rocks!
'Zactly!!! Been ******* around the country with about 420 or so horsies for the last 7 years or so. Next stop, giant hair dryer thingie hangin' off one side and about 600 horsies... GIDDYUP!
The difference in price is not that huge, especially considering a new unit vs. a rebuild that I may or may not have problems with (I would with my luck). I like that the T5 is smaller, but the ch***is (SoCal) already had enough room for the 700r4 and I can't imagine the TKO would not fit where an auto was. I already had the floor and trans cover done for the 700 and some of that will have to be cut and re-done for the shift tower anyhow. I guess the 600 is a better choice with the taller 1st gear. The car is light enough, the rear gear low enough, but I was worried with the tall tire. I'd hate for the low 1st gear of the 500 to become a nuisance in day to day driving. Thanks for the help
I've been pretty much set on a tko trans for a '32 project largely due to the forward shifter position option, and the ability to comfortably deal with a stout 383 or possibly big block, but these front mount shifters seem to be unavailable. Stock and mid mounts no problem, but the front mount version? Any sources? Thanks Chris
I wouldn't call first gear a nuisance... It's just used up a bit quickly in my car! The only other anoyance is the drop between gears, not so bad that it makes the car hard to drive or a problem, I just feel like there somthing left on the table - ya know? I would love to have my final ratio be a bit lower and get my cruising RPMs up a bit. Not because it's a problem, but because my car is way too comfortable with going 90-100 mph. Not a huge problem here in AZ or CA as I'm sure your aware, but in the rest of the country where 55 mph speed limits exist, fifth gear becomes useless. If I go lower, say 3.73, my top gear would be happier but my first gear would wind out a bit quicker than I would like. Guess I shouldn't complain, and with the taller tires you are contemplating the lower first might help a bit out of the hole, but with my somewhat rumpy cam, I would have loved the closer gear set. As far as fitment issues, the TKO will fit just fine where that damn old leaky auto thingie would have fit. You might actually find yourself reducing the tunnel and such and picking up some serious floor space. Get either one - your going to love it!
Contact ELpolacko here on the board. He has a source here in the states that has them in stock. Either P.M. him or his number is 602 278 6800
Have a TKO in the Model A. Using the forward position for the shifter. My only complaint is the weight and leverage on my swan shifter tends to want to pop it out of gear when in 1st, 3rd or 5th. That will be cured with heavier detent springs later when it comes apart for paint. Bought it from Forte's. Mike is a good guy and delivers on his promises. He delivered it to me with the forward shift position in place, set up for my 327. Here is his site: http://www.fortesparts.com/index.php?cPath=78
Thanks for the link, 1931. And for the forward shift contact, Louvers. I could not find a source for one either. I'll wait until its in the first time before deciding on front or mid shift.
In addition to gear ratios, the 600 also has a higher torque rating <TABLE border=1 cellSpacing=1><TBODY><TR><TD>Model</TD><TD>(ft/lb)</TD><TD>input spline</TD><TD>output spline</TD><TD>1st</TD><TD>2nd</TD><TD>3rd</TD><TD>4th</TD><TD>5th</TD></TR><TR><TD>TKO 500 </TD><TD align=center>500</TD><TD align=center>10</TD><TD align=center>31</TD><TD align=center>3.27</TD><TD align=center>1.97</TD><TD align=center>1.34</TD><TD align=center>1.00</TD><TD align=center>.68</TD></TR><TR><TD>TKO 600</TD><TD align=center>600</TD><TD align=center>26</TD><TD align=center>31</TD><TD align=center>2.87</TD><TD align=center>1.89</TD><TD align=center>1.28</TD><TD align=center>1.00</TD><TD align=center>.82</TD></TR><TR><TD>TKO 600</TD><TD align=center>600</TD><TD align=center>26</TD><TD align=center>31</TD><TD align=center>2.87</TD><TD align=center>1.89</TD><TD align=center>1.28</TD><TD align=center>1.00</TD><TD align=center>.64</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://www.safepay.net/cgi-bin/shop...ategory=Transmission&merchant=moderndriveline Bruce was very helpfull when I was choosing a transmission for my project.
Just going from ELpolacko's 3550 with a front shifter to my TKO500 with a mid shifter, I would have to say mine shifts quite a bit smoother and quicker. 'Course that could be apples to oranges because of the different generations of trans, bit it is quite a difference.
I went with a TKO 600, but only to handle the 500 horses. It appears to be overkill in your situation/application, but if you have the $$$$, do it.
I have 32's where i have used both camero-s10 and tko 600 s=10 have to low first gear and you shift before you get across the intersection My green roadster has a tko 600 2.87 low and .82 od and it is like having 5 regular speed because the overdrive does not drop off that much you can put in overdrive at 45 mph and you cannot do that with the t5 need to be going 60mph. If you like positive shifting go with the tko trans. pm us we may be able to help you on the price on the tko 600. Bruce
I remember reading that even though the TKO, 3550 and T5 are related they are completely different on the internals. So, maybe it was the trans and maybe the shifter, but that is good to keep in mind and I never would have thought of it. Ecna, I read that the 600 has the higher rating only because of the higher (numerically) 1st gear. Other than the ratios, the 500 and 600 are identical.
I had a T 5 in a roadster. I have a 3550 in my 55. They are not related in any way. The 3550 is a T500's little brother. One hundred pounds shipping wt. with no oil. A fine investment in your future. When I bought the 3550, the T 500 was still wayyyyy off in the future. Just be sure to use the correct lube in it. ONLY, genuine GM synchromesh 100 % synthetic oil. I love my five speed.
i went with the t-5 in my little '34, wont do it again, should have done the tremec 500, you can have the gear ratio you want and the shifter location would have been the same. rich
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