What TKO 600 kit?

[coggonobrien]

I'm sticking a big block in my 2wd c20 and just wondering what tremec tko 600 kit would be the best fit? I have a high hump cab. By kit I mean it will include everything (clutch, bell housing, possibly a generic crossmember).

Thanks!
David

[smoked68]

You'll want the premier I think they call it. It has everything. I'm getting the middle package and its a little over 2800.00. Have fun.

[69GMCLonghorn]

Hey, keep us posted on the outcome. I have a '69 with an NP435. If I don't lose my job in the near future, I'd like to upgrade to something with an O/D.

[coggonobrien]

Originally Posted by smoked68

You'll want the premier I think they call it. It has everything. I'm getting the middle package and its a little over 2800.00. Have fun.

are you buying direct from tremec?

[chevy_mike]

I had put a TKO 600 into my '69 Camaro and LOVED it. I originally bought a TKO (pre 500-600 models) and by the time I got to the point of installing it, the 500-600 series came out. I sold my TKO and bought a 600, mainly due to the higher torque handling and I liked the gear ratio spacing better. It was an awesome tranny and if I had the funds, I would do another one in my truck.

As for what/where, I can't recommend Classic Motorsports Group enough. Bought my 600 from them and they had a ton of great info/tricks. It was still kind of new putting in the Tremecs at the time.

They have a kit for 60-72 Chevy trucks, based on what you already have installed and you would do well to get a full conversion kit from them.

http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/GM...it-Select.aspx

The #1 think about these TKO's they are VERY sensitive to input shaft runout. Make sure you setup your bellhousing within specs or you will cause a lot of problems, like hard shifting, wear and parts failure. Looking at their current kit, they have a new bellhousing setup that is really nice compared to what was available 5 years back.

Good luck and keep us updated.

[BossHogg69]

I got my TKO 500 from www.standardtransmission.com, they were VERY helpful and got me everything I needed to install my tranny, except the bellhousing, which I used a fairly common Muncie '621' housing that got on eBay. I used my existing auto trans crossmember (turbo 400) and just moved it up a few inches.

[smoknbarrels]

The mid shifter option seems like a waste, you can order these trannys with the shifter mounted in any position you want. and they are easy to change, I ordered mine all the way back, and all you do is unbolt the cover, spin it 180 degrees and its in all the way front position. really awesome system for guys doing mods or wanting to throw it in a different car.
kit looks cool, I like the light weight k-member.
are you using a ford 9? it may throw off your drive shaft measurement..

[coggonobrien]

yea i am planning on building a ford 9" when the transmission goes in, i'm assuming the driveshaft will be a custom length, just gotta measure it.

[coggonobrien]

so if i'm reading write online would i be able to use the bell housing on my stock 4 spd with the tremec?

[Jim_PA]

Yes - Are you building some serious horsepower? Have you checked your gearing and tire size vs the 1st gear ratio of the 500 and 600?

I'm hoping to do one of these in the next year or so.

[coggonobrien]

I haven't started looking into the final drive ratio with first gear yet. I've got a 396 that will be bored to either 402 or 427. plan is to fuel inject it and gun for 500hp at the crank. rear tire will be about 29 tall so I was intending to use 4.10 gears for a good highway rpm. Would this render 1st gear useless?

[Jim_PA]

Originally Posted by coggonobrien

I haven't started looking into the final drive ratio with first gear yet. I've got a 396 that will be bored to either 402 or 427. plan is to fuel inject it and gun for 500hp at the crank. rear tire will be about 29 tall so I was intending to use 4.10 gears for a good highway rpm. Would this render 1st gear useless?

I'm not sure, you'd have to do the shift point math... I just know that the 500 has a 3.xx 1st, while the 600 has 1st in the 2.xx range....

4.10's with a 29" tire might make first a little high with the 600.

[BossHogg69]

Originally Posted by Jim_PA

I'm not sure, you'd have to do the shift point math... I just know that the 500 has a 3.xx 1st, while the 600 has 1st in the 2.xx range....

4.10's with a 29" tire might make first a little high with the 600.

TKO500 is 3.27 first gear, TKO600 is 2.87.

I personally really like my TKO500/3.73 rear gear combo, the 2.87 may be nice with a 4.11???

shift point math....
http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/startlineratio.html
http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/distancecalc.html
http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/gear_calculator.html

[Jim_PA]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

TKO500 is 3.27 first gear, TKO600 is 2.87.

I personally really like my TKO500/3.73 rear gear combo, the 2.87 may be nice with a 4.11???

shift point math....
http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/startlineratio.html
http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/distancecalc.html
http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/gear_calculator.html

I was thinking the same thing until I saw he had 29" tires. What size are yours?

[BossHogg69]

mine are 275/60/15 right now, nominal height is 28", but they're closer to to 27" tall with 35psi of air in them on the truck. After I swap my 6 lug drums to discs, I plan on a set of 20" wheels, but will still keep the tire height to around 27".