TKO trans

[jlaird]

For anybody that has a TKO 500 or 600 AND a bench seat, did you need the optional "mid-shifter" in order to clear the bench seat?

Thanks.

[BossHogg69]

no, just unbolt and turn the shifter assembly around. It will give you enough room to clear the seat. I ordered a Hurst stick for a bench seat car and mine works fine. I can't find the part # for the stick, but I'll look through my receipts when I get home and post it.

see the top of page 2 under 'Shifters' http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English...ps_117_117.pdf

[jlaird]

Is your engine in the forward or rear mount location? Pretty please say rear!

[67ChevyRedneck]

Anyone know where to get a TKO 5 or 600 for a reasonable price, or is 2K+ "just the way it is."

[breeh]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Anyone know where to get a TKO 5 or 600 for a reasonable price, or is 2K+ "just the way it is."

That's the way that it is IMHO.

[jlaird]

its not an opinion, its fact. No matter where you get it, the 500 is $2095 and the 600 is $2195. Tremec requires that their retailers do this. Where you can save A LITTLE money is by getting complete kits. I've been looking at cms-grp.com, keislerauto.com, and americanpowertrain.com. These are all highly reputable companies that know their stuff.

[Willy Prost]

My TKO is mounted behind the original 250/6 in my 71.

The shifter is a mid mount from PRO 5.0.

Here is a thread about that.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223031

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by jlaird

its not an opinion, its fact. No matter where you get it, the 500 is $2095 and the 600 is $2195. Tremec requires that their retailers do this. Where you can save A LITTLE money is by getting complete kits. I've been looking at cms-grp.com, keislerauto.com, and americanpowertrain.com. These are all highly reputable companies that know their stuff.

That's what I thought. I've seen all the same companies in my research. My pops is giving me his old 67 Firebird which I hope to bring "home" next spring and it has no drivetrain, If the car is still solid enough, I'd like to put a v8 5spd drivetrain in and drive it for a couple years before I tear it apart. It looks like the "kit" I need for a first gen is around $2,500, but honestly, I think it will be worth it.

[BossHogg69]

Originally Posted by jlaird

Is your engine in the forward or rear mount location? Pretty please say rear!

I can look, to be sure. It came with a 307 V8, I'm running a BBC with the '72 mounts, hth. I will look at the mounts and get you a pic to see if it matches what you need.

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

I can look, to be sure. It came with a 307 V8, I'm running a BBC with the '72 mounts, hth. I will look at the mounts and get you a pic to see if it matches what you need.

That would be awesome. Thanks.

[Twisted78SS]

Last time I checked in here http://www.gpsuperstore.com/ they quoted me a price of $1900 delivered for a TKO 600. That was about 8 or 9 months ago, so not sure where it would be now. Worth a shot. I was looking to purchase this one.

GM TKO-600 (TCET 5009) 0.64 5th.
GM 26 spline 1 1/8” input shaft.

[BossHogg69]

here you go jlaird -

[67ChevyRedneck]

There's a pretty good difference in gear rations:

TKO 500: 3.27, 1.98, 1.34, 1.00, 0.68

TKO 600: 2.87, 1.89, 1.28, 1.00, 0.64

In comparison to a

700R: 3.06, 1.63, 1.00, 0.70.

For those using the TKOs, did you use the 500 or 600, the 500 seems to have a really steep 1st gear.

[67ChevyRedneck]

There's a pretty good difference in 1st gear ratios:

TKO 500: 3.27, 1.98, 1.34, 1.00, 0.68

TKO 600: 2.87, 1.89, 1.28, 1.00, 0.64

In comparison to a

700R: 3.06, 1.63, 1.00, 0.70.

For those using the TKOs, did you use the 500 or 600, the 500 seems to have a really steep 1st gear.

[BossHogg69]

jlaird, here's a pic with the shifter swapped around like I mentioned earlier. Obviously my truck is gutted right now, but this is how it was when it was in the truck.

67chevyredneck, I originally had my tko500 in a '92 C1500 xcab shortbed, that's why I picked the one with the deeper first gear - I occasionally pulled a trailer with that truck and it was close to the 1st gear of the NV3500 the truck had stock (the NV3500 has an even deeper 1st). The '92 had 3.73's in it. I sold that truck and put a junkyard NV3500 back in it and kept the tko.

With the tko500 in the '69 (see sig), I still have 3.73's and the low first helped get going quick, but I will probably go with a 3.42 to make a better match with the lower first gear. If I were starting from scratch with the '69 and didn't already have the tko500, I'd probably get the tko600 and keep the 3.73's. Really it's a wash between the tko500/3.42's and tko600/3.73's when speaking in terms of overall gearing.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Thanks for the info!

My dad told me the 'Bird has a good posi in it ( ) but he's not sure what the ratio is, I'll pick the tranny based on the gear ratio of the rear. The 600 seems more "streetable," but at the same time, too much OD hurts fuel mileage with too high of an axle ratio. 'Birds had 9 different posi ratios, from a 2.56 to a 4.33!!!

Sorry jlaird for butting in a good bit, just think of it as a bunch of free "bumps" to get more views

[68Stepbed]

My big concern with the TKO500 is the long jump from 1st to 2nd gears. The TKO600 would seem better for street performance with the closer gear splits.

[jlaird]

In my situation with 3.73's, the tko600 is what has been suggested to me by three different companies. No question in that regard, but I'm still wondering about this mid-shifter. I want to keep my engine in the rear position, so I have a feeling that I need to get it. BossHogg's engine is in the forward position and his shifter is really close to the seat. BossHogg, what do you think I need the mid-shifter?

[BossHogg69]

jlaird -

Honestly, I think the mid shifter would be the best way to go for you. With my engine in the forward position, and the shifter turned 180*, in 2nd and 4th & R, the stick is pretty close the the seat. With your engine in the rear position with the shifter turned around and the same stick I have, you'd be right up against the seat. The pics I have are with the seat as far back on the slides as it will go, and yes, my gas tank is still behind the seat. If you were relocating the tank (as I am doing as I build my truck back) you my have more room and not need the mid-shifter location. What's the mid shift cost, like $300? It will definitely open up your selection to shifter sticks, I was limited basically two sticks, and I chose the tallest 'bench seat' shift stick hurst offered. I'm pretty happy with my setup, I am 5'7" and all of the gear positions are just about right with my seat/shifter the way it is now.

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

jlaird -

Honestly, I think the mid shifter would be the best way to go for you. With my engine in the forward position, and the shifter turned 180*, in 2nd and 4th & R, the stick is pretty close the the seat. With your engine in the rear position with the shifter turned around and the same stick I have, you'd be right up against the seat. The pics I have are with the seat as far back on the slides as it will go, and yes, my gas tank is still behind the seat. If you were relocating the tank (as I am doing as I build my truck back) you my have more room and not need the mid-shifter location. What's the mid shift cost, like $300? It will definitely open up your selection to shifter sticks, I was limited basically two sticks, and I chose the tallest 'bench seat' shift stick hurst offered. I'm pretty happy with my setup, I am 5'7" and all of the gear positions are just about right with my seat/shifter the way it is now.

Thanks for the reply. Thats what I needed to hear. I definitely need the mid-shifter. This is getting expensive! So should I shop around for one or just get it from the company I buy the trans from? Are there big differences in quality on these?

[BossHogg69]

If it were me, I'd get them to do it before they ship it if who you buy the trans from offers the service. Have you decided who you're going to order from? Have you decided on buying a package deal?

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

If it were me, I'd get them to do it before they ship it if who you buy the trans from offers the service. Have you decided who you're going to order from? Have you decided on buying a package deal?

I think I am going to get everything from American Powertrain. The guy I talked to was really helpful, they have 24/7 tech support, and the best price on the rest of the package parts (bellhousing, flywheel, clutch, and Hydraulic TO bearing.)

[Jim_PA]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

My big concern with the TKO500 is the long jump from 1st to 2nd gears. The TKO600 would seem better for street performance with the closer gear splits.

I think with some 4:11's and a 26" or so tall tire, you'd be all set with the 600.

[GASWAGON]

I have the mid shifter and believe you should go with it. It not only moves it away from the seat it also shortens the throw of the internal shift rails making it extremely quick and tight shift pattern. I have bought multiple (3) kits from Classsic Motorsports Group and there service is top notch. The mid shifter requires some internal changes to the trans so I would def. get it converted from your supplier. CMS is top notch can't say enough about those guys there great!! I use the hurst stick for a 55 chevy with a bench seat and find it is the perfect set up for me.