TKO600 first impression
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
TKO600 first impression
I have driven the TKO 600 before so maybe it is not exactly first impression but my thoughts after driving "my" TKO.
I got to finish up the installation this afternoon, except for buttoning up the console shift plate. During the installation I replaced the oil pan gasket, broken bellhousing (GM 621), speedo cable, and installed a new Centerforce Dual Friction clutch kit, as well as machined the flywheel. I also cleaned up some shabby wiring at the starter and replaced the insulation inside the tunnel and under the heatshields. I took it out for a very short drive and came back to check for leaks. It looked good so I went for a little longer drive, 10 miles or so. Still no leaks or other obvious problems.
With the 427, and 3.55 rear end the Tremec makes this a totally different car. It shifts beautifully and dropped the 55mph rpm from 2500 to 1600. The big block has plenty of torque to lug it around at 48 mph or so too. Also, with the Muncie, and Hooker sidepipes, you could not carry on a conversation above about 50 mph without yelling. Now it is almost too quite at cruise. This is how it should have been built in 1968 but of course gas was $.28/gal then.
I would recommend anyone thinking of going to an overdrive to do so, even if Tremec is not your choice. I got mine from American Powertrain and although there was a delay in getting it (not their fault IMHO), I can honestly say it was worth the wait. Also taking a little extra time to do the other bits of needed work was very worthwhile.
I got to finish up the installation this afternoon, except for buttoning up the console shift plate. During the installation I replaced the oil pan gasket, broken bellhousing (GM 621), speedo cable, and installed a new Centerforce Dual Friction clutch kit, as well as machined the flywheel. I also cleaned up some shabby wiring at the starter and replaced the insulation inside the tunnel and under the heatshields. I took it out for a very short drive and came back to check for leaks. It looked good so I went for a little longer drive, 10 miles or so. Still no leaks or other obvious problems.
With the 427, and 3.55 rear end the Tremec makes this a totally different car. It shifts beautifully and dropped the 55mph rpm from 2500 to 1600. The big block has plenty of torque to lug it around at 48 mph or so too. Also, with the Muncie, and Hooker sidepipes, you could not carry on a conversation above about 50 mph without yelling. Now it is almost too quite at cruise. This is how it should have been built in 1968 but of course gas was $.28/gal then.
I would recommend anyone thinking of going to an overdrive to do so, even if Tremec is not your choice. I got mine from American Powertrain and although there was a delay in getting it (not their fault IMHO), I can honestly say it was worth the wait. Also taking a little extra time to do the other bits of needed work was very worthwhile.
