Howard, I used the Tremec TKO 600 that I got from Mike Forte.

Jack

 

Guess which one I've got :evil:

 

Tranny Options

Using TKO 600 with my 408, slightly more usable 1st gear than the TKO 500 (2.87 versus 3.27). You also get your choice of the super low 5th (.64) which is really nice if you do a lot of long distance cruising (particularly with a stout stroker like a 408), or a closer ratio .82 5th if you need it for whatever it is you like doing and depending on your rear gear. Either one is stronger than heck.

I think Gordon Levy is selling his super T-5 again -- another nice alternative that is lighter and perhaps can be custom geared.

In my not so humble opinion, used tranny's are a real crapshoot though and I wouldn't get one unless it was from one of the trusted forum vendors like Forte or Levy and they had gone through it.

Regards,
Bill

 

Yeah - the more I think about it, the more I'm likely to go with a new one - it's just the $2k+ is a bit hard to swallow - maybe I just need to man up!!

 

TKO is heavvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvy

Levy's T5 is lightweight, shifts nicely and is midshift compatible (and thanks to your most favorite Levy-Racing-In-Training-Engineer ( =) ) now has a GPS based speedo solution so you don't need to go crazy trying to figure out that silly coil/magnet theory)

 

Tko

TKO 600 Fo Sho !!

Steve

 

TKO 500 with my 408w

 

600 here...
Ed R

 

tko 600 here.

Weighs about 95#. About 20-30 more than Gordon's T5.

 

Depending on what else you need we may be able to ease that $2000.00 bill a bit
steve

 

I have shifted both the T5 and the TKO 600 the latter I got from Mike Forte. I really do not understand what people are talking about when they say the T-5 shifts so much better. I agree it is slightly smoother shifting but not so much I would rather have that transmission. Then there is the argument the TKO is heavy... I can pick it up by myself and I weigh 160 lbs... how heavy can it be... the difference in wieght between the two is probably marginal. If people are so concerned about weight at that level go run 4 times a week and pick up some real weight savings....

 

Hi Howard,
I have discount coupons that will help out the cost of a new TKO. Call me with any questions.
Hi Tim,
Perhaps I should go for those runs to lose that 30 lbs I'd like to lose. I feel that 180 would be healthier than the 210 presently.
Mike Forte

 

Tko 600

600 behind my 408. Like Bill L, I really like the more usable 1st gear too.

 

Go with a TKO 600 and don't look back. For those that think it is too heavy, if an exact car has a T5 and has 4 gallons of gas more than yours with a TKO 600, you'll weigh less. In others words, no way in he11 can you tell the difference of 30 lbs. in your car.

Jim

 

T-600 behind my 410 right at 580 FWHP.
Don

 

TKO 600 RR here...also purchased from Mike.

 

Levy is in the plans for me. Waiting on shipment now, but yep thats the plan.

 

A TKO 600 with the 2.87 first gear would be ideal in your car. For 5th gear, what is your rear gearing and how tall tall are your rear tires? This will help to optimize what gear is best for cruising the highways

 

I really would like the 0.82 5th gear - car is not really going to be a cruiser but a track/autocross car. Rear gearing is probably 3.55s. Rear wheels will be 17 x 10.5 with 315s - not sure how that translates into how tall the tire is. The standard height for 315s probably. Getting the gearing right is probably a good enough reason to get a new one.

 

TKO 600 here too also from Mike

 

Sorry to highjack but I have one quick question about gearing. Can someone, in a nutshell, explain the difference and/or pro's and con's of the 2.87 vs the 3.27 first gear? What other factors need to be in play for this choice of gears?

Thanks,
Chris

 

Chris,

Rear end gear also comes into play, as well as engine torque. The 3.27 was put into Mustangs to help get them moving easier, think about 225 HP with a 3500lb car. On the Cobra, guys running 400 - 500 HP with a 2300lb car and the 3.27 ratio is less useful. Also, the issue with the 3.27 ratio is you have a bigger jump from 1st to 2nd then you would with the 2.87 first gear.

-Scott

 

Chris aside form custom built T5's like Gordons. Or the TZ 5. All come with the shorter/steeper 3.95 first gear ratio. Above mentioned come with 2.95 1rst gear.
Being these cars are lighter along with some running lower gears in the rear end. Normal 1rst gear is almost not needed and too short. you end up almost imetietlly shifting into second once you start moveing.
The higher 1rst is much more useableHTH
Think of it has haveing steep/low gears in the rear like 373' compared to taller gears like 308's.

 

Hindsight and Scott, thanks for the lesson. What I'm really hearing is know what your HP and torque is, or will be, your rear diff ratio and tire size and then call Mike Forte and order a transmission with the appropriate gearing for what you have and how you are planning to use it? For mechanically challenged individuals such as myself, I really don't see any better way.....

Thanks!
Chris

 

Chris, basically, but at the end of the day, unless you are using a donor transmission, there would be little reason to go with one that has a 3.27 first gear ratio.

 

Other Options Redux

From a certain point of view, (but I am an old guy) none of these 5 speeds in terms of 1st or 2nd gear work all that great in a lower rpm, high torque, low weight application. I was tempted to put in a close ratio 4 speed toploader. With a 2.32 1st and 1.69 2nd, you would have a more fun set up (at the expense of some clutch slipping around town).

With 6200 RPM, 3.55 rear, and 26.6 tires, you could just about nick 60 MPH without shifting -- that REALLY cuts the 0-60 time down to the min and gets you down the ramp.... 3rd is almost the same (1.29 versus 1.28) and of course 4th is one to one. BUT, I do like that 5th and .64 at that........that means I am REALLY old......

Regards,
Bill

 

Hi bill,
I loved my 68 Z-28 with the 2.20 1st gear and 3.5 rear gears (7.70 1st gear). For every 1000 rpm it was 10 mph. So at 5000 rpm it was 50 mph, 7500 rpm it was 75 mph, 8000= 80 mph in first!!!
Pull it into 2nd and wow, I still had 3rd & 4th to fly on.... At Bridgehampton I was 7100 rpm on the uphill front straight going 156 mph. I'll always remember that old war horse on the track. I miss those days so much.... I still have all stuff to go racing again if I can survive this financial disaster this country is going thru and my kids get out of school.
Mike Forte

 

Now we are talking....

Hey Mike F.

You KNOW it!!! (Sorry Chris if a bit sideways off your topic but your question is a great one to chew around on.) That is what is so interesting about building these lightweight go-carts. Like most guys here, I really like my 408 and the mile wide torque it has and mated with the TKO 600 it is plenty all around fun. (Though I second guess myself on the 3.55 rear and would lean towards a 3.27 rear now or even (gasp!) a 3.08 with all that torque available on street tires. Sticky's and quarter mile stuff are a whole different deal and setup -- not my thing.)

BUT if I do another one, I would seriously think about a 289 that revs to the moon and the 4 speed. (Hey, did you really see 8K on that Z? Or is this a case of the older I get, the faster I was

Regards all,
Bill