Tremec is an OE transmission provider that manufactures handbook transmissions for Ford, Common Motors, Chrysler, Aston Martin, TVR, and several distinctive medium and hefty obligation truck purposes. Their TKO is a substantial toughness 5-speed overdrive handbook transmission that was initially intended to be retrofitted into Mustang Fox overall body cars to substitute the weaker T5, but will also bolt up to the standard Ford four speed passenger vehicle bellhousing. When Tremec understood that fanatics were being adapting it for GM programs, they determined to make it a tiny less difficult for folks (and capitalize on a substantial chance, much too) by producing a GM edition of the TKO.
The GM version will bolt specifically up to pretty much any common Chevrolet/Buick/Olds/Pontiac passenger auto four-pace bellhousing. Nevertheless only Ford and GM versions of the TKO are accessible, Mopar fans can get all the tailor made parts they require to adapt a Ford variation TKO to nearly any Mopar V8 motor. The TKO has by no means been OE machines in any output motor vehicle, while its wonderful-grandpa, the Tremec TR-3550 was in a limited-manufacturing Ford Mustang Cobra in the mid 1990s. The TKO is purely an aftermarket transmission made for large-general performance autos.
There are three basic styles obtainable, the TKO-500 and two versions of the TKO-600. The broad-ratio TKO-500 is rated for a continuous 500 lb.-ft. of torque, and provides a deep 3.27:1 initial equipment ratio and a .68:1 overdrive ratio in fifth gear. The shut-ratio TKO-600 is rated for a continuous 600 lb.-ft. of torque, and has a 2.87:1 to start with equipment and either a .82:1 overdrive or a .64:1 overdrive ratio in fifth equipment. The rated torque capacities are reported to be quite conservative, as there are a important variety of cars in the industry with engines that exceed the torque rating by a massive margin, and failures are scarce.
The TKO utilizes a 3-rail interior change system, removing any exterior linkage and the complications that go with it. The limited throw billet aluminum shifter can be eliminated, flipped 180 levels, and then reinstalled to offer an extra change placement. Optional personalized shifters are offered in various distinct configurations to mimic the shift positions in a variety of musclecars. The TKO utilizes cast iron change forks, a one-piece counter shaft, and tapered roller bearings on the input, output, and counter shafts for additional power.
Every single TKO transmission supplies both of those mechanical and electronic speedometer outputs. The mechanical output is a Ford layout, but you can get hybrid speedometer cables for GM or Mopar apps. They also feature a reverse light change and a neutral safety swap that can be wired into your vehicle’s present harness. The transmission has an inner reverse lockout attribute that helps prevent you from unintentionally going from fifth gear into reverse. You have to go into the center of the “Neutral” gate right before it will let you to shift into reverse.
The Tremec TKO is an fantastic option for the musclecar or road rod operator that enjoys rowing his have gears and desires to drive his vehicle to distant motor vehicle demonstrates or other activities. I have 1 in my 1967 Pontiac Firebird and have driven a amount of other cars and trucks with TKO transmissions set up. The overdrive tends to make a enormous difference on the highway, and there aren’t lots of other transmission alternatives out there with overdrive that will stand up to the kind of power that the TKO can choose. None of the other overdrive transmissions available at this time offer you as much flexibility as the Tremec TKO.