TKO 500/600 clutchquestions - Page 2

97cobrasvt · 07-15-2007, 08:06 PM

well I have a tko500 in my coupe now with no problems yet (key word yet)

QWKSNKE · 07-15-2007, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99LS1

Now I'm surprised by the responses, especially Italian's and Lee's. I thought T5's were notorious for breaking when you start putting down power. I figured people would like their tremecs.

Maybe I should just back up and get some opinions since I know very little about ford manual trans.

The mustang has a 3.90 rearend and weighs ~3800lbs. It needs a 5spd. I can't see making much over 400whp/ftlbs and I doubt I'll speed shift it much, but I'd rather buy something that's built to last and leave it alone. What are some good options for swapping to a manual? Some variant of a T5? Or some other option I'm not aware of?

You are correct. The stock and z spec t-5's like mine do break but only if you are into speedshifting like Brian and I do.

Brian's tko 500 will not go into 3rd wot at high rpm. The only way he can get it to go in is to granny shift it. Tommy's tko has a bad vibration he can't get out of it. The guy that has Shankin's old green coupe has the same 3rd gear issue as Brian according to what he said at our last track day.

In my opinion the only manual tranny's to use with a nicely powered mustang is a t-56 or a gforce t-5. The latter is what I plan to do whenever I have the money to upgrade. http://www.gforcetransmissions.com/tran_gt-5.asp

coupe · 07-15-2007, 09:23 PM

The 3.90 gear will be fine with the 600 Tremec. And yes, there are some folks with issues...but many more with no problems at all. I couldn't recommend either way unless you have it "pro-built." A sure bet would be to get one through a shop who modifies them with some higher-capacity parts. For instance, ProMotion Powertrain adds billet shift forks and blueprints some extra stuff; they faceplate the gearsets instead of the synchros...those transmissions shift fine behind 500hp at 9,000 RPM.

All in all, Tremecs are stronger cases than the G-force modified T5, but at your 400 hp level, the G-force would be fine. The only troubles with those arrive when sustained 600 hp levels are seen.

1Quik85GT · 07-15-2007, 11:50 PM

G-force it, I highly recommend them.

Italian LX · 07-16-2007, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coupe

. . . they faceplate the gearsets instead of the synchros...those transmissions shift fine behind 500hp at 9,000 RPM.

Not very friendly on the street though. Besides, it's a bit overkill for what Brandon is looking for.

Italian LX · 07-16-2007, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coupe

The 500 having a 3.35 or so first gear and the 600 has a 2.95 or something close.

My post just before yours clearly shows the ratios. It's a 3.27 vs. 2.87.

qkjuicedpony · 07-16-2007, 05:07 AM

You will hear horror stories from both sides of the fence.

you want a trans for more street duty than anything and im sure you won't be racing it all the time.

the tko500/600 was your first choice so why not stick with it.

Italian LX · 07-16-2007, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99LS1

I'm interested in hearing some T5 vs 500/600. I'm assuming Italian couldn't get a T5 to work behind his 418 if he went with a tremec. But it sounds like he doesn't like it either.

I actually had the TKO behind my 302 for almost a year before I swapped motors. It NEVER shifted well at high RPM's and now it won't do a simple 4-3 down shift (I have to drop it down into 2nd and then go up into 3rd... what a pain in the ass). You can do a search and find at least one thread that gives more details on my issues.

I don't want to steer you away from Tremec because I'm sure they can put out some decent stuff... I just wasn't lucky enough to get one of their good transmissions. Tremec appears to have a proplem with quality based on all of the complaint threads on the internet forums.

99LS1 · 07-16-2007, 01:13 PM

The g-force units are pretty pricey. They're showing 2000$ for a remanu. kit with street gears. For that price I think I'd rather take my chances with a tremec.

The tremec was my first choice, but I don't know much about ford trans. so I was making sure I wasn't overlooking something. It was mainly my first choice given how many 351c guys were using them.

QWKSNKE · 07-16-2007, 01:29 PM

that is still cheaper than a tremec

07-15-2007, 08:06 PM	#11
97cobrasvt I got a good sugar moma Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ON THE ROAD Posts: 1,196	well I have a tko500 in my coupe now with no problems yet (key word yet) __________________ Bottled 89 Coupe

07-15-2007, 09:23 PM	#13
coupe Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,313	The 3.90 gear will be fine with the 600 Tremec. And yes, there are some folks with issues...but many more with no problems at all. I couldn't recommend either way unless you have it "pro-built." A sure bet would be to get one through a shop who modifies them with some higher-capacity parts. For instance, ProMotion Powertrain adds billet shift forks and blueprints some extra stuff; they faceplate the gearsets instead of the synchros...those transmissions shift fine behind 500hp at 9,000 RPM. All in all, Tremecs are stronger cases than the G-force modified T5, but at your 400 hp level, the G-force would be fine. The only troubles with those arrive when sustained 600 hp levels are seen. __________________ " If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. " - Albert Einstein

07-16-2007, 05:07 AM	#17
qkjuicedpony Dayuuuuuuum!!!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Dallas GA Posts: 2,933	You will hear horror stories from both sides of the fence. you want a trans for more street duty than anything and im sure you won't be racing it all the time. the tko500/600 was your first choice so why not stick with it. __________________ 86 Mustang Gt......Mods piling up in my garage. 07 F350 dooly.....Tows my fifth wheel

07-16-2007, 01:13 PM	#19
99LS1 WWIP Saving for Evo XXI Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: You like my biodata. B-i-o-d-a-t-a! Posts: 1,693	The g-force units are pretty pricey. They're showing 2000$ for a remanu. kit with street gears. For that price I think I'd rather take my chances with a tremec. The tremec was my first choice, but I don't know much about ford trans. so I was making sure I wasn't overlooking something. It was mainly my first choice given how many 351c guys were using them. __________________ 08 cbr 1000 73 mach 1

07-16-2007, 01:29 PM	#20
QWKSNKE 3v's are slow Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Here and There Posts: 17,152	that is still cheaper than a tremec __________________ 2009 Porsche Carrera S 2008 ///AMG C63.. Eurocharge Tune. RIP 2019 AMG GLC43..wife's 03 F250 SD.. Edge Evo, AFE Stage 1 CAI 08 GT. JBA axle back, FRPP springs, FRPP swaybars.. daughter's 01 Cobra vert... wife's I need a new toy

07-15-2007, 11:50 PM	#14
1Quik85GT Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 895	G-force it, I highly recommend them.