Tremec TKO Transmissions Part 1 – TKO-500 and TKO-600 Features and Background
Tremec is an OE transmission provider that manufactures guide transmissions for Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Aston Martin, TVR, and a lot of diverse medium and large duty truck purposes. Their TKO is a large power 5-speed overdrive handbook transmission that was initially created to be retrofitted into Mustang Fox system cars and trucks to change the weaker T5, but will also bolt up to the typical Ford four pace passenger motor vehicle bellhousing. When Tremec recognized that enthusiasts were being adapting it for GM programs, they made a decision to make it a little less complicated for folks (and capitalize on a big chance, as well) by producing a GM variation of the TKO.
The GM edition will bolt instantly up to nearly any conventional Chevrolet/Buick/Olds/Pontiac passenger vehicle four-velocity bellhousing. Even though only Ford and GM versions of the TKO are available, Mopar fanatics can get all the tailor made parts they want to adapt a Ford edition TKO to pretty much any Mopar V8 motor. The TKO has under no circumstances been OE gear in any manufacturing vehicle, even though its wonderful-grandpa, the Tremec TR-3550 was in a minimal-creation Ford Mustang Cobra in the mid 1990s. The TKO is purely an aftermarket transmission intended for substantial-functionality cars.
There are a few fundamental versions accessible, the TKO-500 and two versions of the TKO-600. The large-ratio TKO-500 is rated for a ongoing 500 lb.-ft. of torque, and presents a deep 3.27:1 initially equipment ratio and a .68:1 overdrive ratio in fifth gear. The close-ratio TKO-600 is rated for a continuous 600 lb.-ft. of torque, and has a 2.87:1 first equipment and either a .82:1 overdrive or a .64:1 overdrive ratio in fifth equipment. The rated torque capacities are explained to be pretty conservative, as there are a considerable variety of automobiles in the area with engines that exceed the torque ranking by a significant margin, and failures are scarce.
The TKO works by using a 3-rail internal shift mechanism, eliminating any external linkage and the issues that go with it. The small throw billet aluminum shifter can be eliminated, flipped 180 levels, and then reinstalled to present an added change posture. Optional tailor made shifters are offered in many unique configurations to mimic the shift positions in different musclecars. The TKO utilizes cast iron shift forks, a just one-piece counter shaft, and tapered roller bearings on the input, output, and counter shafts for additional toughness.
Each TKO transmission supplies both mechanical and electronic speedometer outputs. The mechanical output is a Ford design, but you can get hybrid speedometer cables for GM or Mopar purposes. They also aspect a reverse mild swap and a neutral safety change that can be wired into your vehicle’s present harness. The transmission has an internal reverse lockout element that helps prevent you from unintentionally likely from fifth equipment into reverse. You have to go into the middle of the “Neutral” gate in advance of it will make it possible for you to change into reverse.
The Tremec TKO is an great selection for the musclecar or avenue rod proprietor that enjoys rowing his own gears and would like to generate his vehicle to distant auto reveals or other events. I have one particular in my 1967 Pontiac Firebird and have pushed a selection of other vehicles with TKO transmissions mounted. The overdrive would make a massive big difference on the freeway, and there aren’t a lot of other transmission selections out there with overdrive that will stand up to the form of power that the TKO can consider. None of the other overdrive transmissions obtainable at this time provide as much versatility as the Tremec TKO.
