How much longer is the TKO compared to a munce.
I need overall length
and
the length to the transmission mount?

Tremec gives dimensions on their website, but only for the tremec, not the muncie.

 

The TKO measures 24.250" overall, about 2" longer than the Muncie. The isolator mounting point is 15.250 from the front face of the tranny.



Richard
Tech Support
Keisler Engineering

 

Thanks, the reason I'm asking is that I'm working on an LS1/TKO 500 swap in my 68. The existing adapter mounting plates move the engine/transmission forward about 2". It sounds like it might be an easier swap than using a SBC/TKO.
Second part of the question, can the 5th gear in a 500 be changed from 0.6 to the 0.8 OD.
I thought the LS1 would work well with the 500s 3.27 1st and 0.8 OD in my 68 with a 3.08 rear end.

 

What adapter plate are you referring to? We have a LS bell that bolts right up to the LS motor and the TKO, no adapter needed. That way it doesn't move the location at all.
As for swapping the gear ratios, no. The gear sets are given by Tremec. The .82 is for the TKO-600, which ahs a different tooth count on the countershaft than the TKO-500. Those are not interchangeable.. With the 3.08 rear gear, we would suggest the TKO-500 because of the 3.27 1st gear. There was a member here that had a TKO-500 and a 3.08 and after about 6 months, he ended up swapping out to a 3.55.

Is it the drop from 1:1 to .68 that you are not liking?


Richard

 

The adapters are the front motor mounts. They move the engine and trans forward about 2 inches. Meaning I may not have to modify the trans crossmember or driveshaft.
I would use my muncie bell housing
My thinking was the same as yours with the 500s 3.27 1st gear and a 3.08 rear end ratio.
Yes, I was worried the 0.68 might be a little low to use with the 3.08.
Didn't the 3550s have a 3.27 1st and 0.82 5th? Are they still available?
What's the price on a 3550 or 500 with GM 26 spine input shaft?

 

Gary:
Because I don't think any of our customers have used this adapter you are talking about, I would hesitate to sell you a "standard corvette kit". I would rather you double check some measurements for us with regards to the shifter location BEFORE we sell you anything. The last thing we want is an unhappy customer with a tranny that won't fit.
On a unmodified vette(one not using the adapter plate), the shifter position is fixed at aboout 19.250 from the front face of the trans and about 2.3" over towards the drivers side. Of course when you add the depth of the bell into the equation, the measurement is around 25.5" from the engine block. Because you are moving everything forward 2" obviously this will change the shifter location. Easily accomodated with some pre-measuring on your part.

The TKO is based on the 3550 transmission. The 3550 was a Ford truck transmission back in the day and to my knowledge, no they are not available anymore.
The gearsets on the TKO are set at Tremec and we can change them in some cases but it is bloody expensive to do so.
If you are sticking with the 3.08, we would probably recommend the TKO-500 with the 3.27 1st. If you are currently running(or have run) a Muncie, then you know the 1st gear in those are 2.52(I think). Our TKO-600 has a 2.87 which is closer to the Muncie 1st gear and may work for you.
Either way, the overdrive should not be a concern. There is only about a 200 rpm difference between a .68(TKO-500) and a .64(TKO-600). Of course the TKO-600RR has a .82. The drop on that one is not as much but on the flip side, the reduction is only 18%. Based on a 26" tall tire and the TKO-500, a 3.08 rear gear equates to 82mph at 2200rpm. For comparison, the TKO-600 equates to 87mph at the same 2200 and the TKO-600RR equates to 68mph.
Depending on your cam specs, that may or may not lug your motor when trying to run 70-75 down the interstate. If your cam comes in a little later in the rpm band, then maybe the .82 would be better suited for you. Just a thought?

I have attached a link to our speed analyser for you to play around with here http://www.keislerauto.com/tools/gm_analyzer_5sp.html

Hopefully this answered your questions. If you are ready to price a kit, PM me your info and I will have one of my sales guy's call or e-mail you a quote to look at.

Just out of curiosity, why are you moving the motor forward 2"?

Richard
Tech Support
Keisler Engineering

 

The motor is moving forward because I'm going to an LS motor. The existing LS to SBC adapter motor mounts move the motor, with respect to the motor/trans interface, forward about 2".
I think the 500 is the way to go. The motor is from a 2002 vette and the my 68s 3.08 rear and TKO 500s 0.68 OD is numerically higher than the 2002 vettes 6th gear and OEM rear ratio.
I would only need the TKO 500, output shaft yoke, and the GM mechanical speedo adapter (assuming they're still needed with the 500).
I'll fab my own mount, shifter, clutch linkage.
It looks like there are a selection of yokes, so I guess I'll just need the one that matches my current driveshaft U joint and I should be able to use my existing drive shaft.

 

Listed below are the critical dimensions of the T56 in comparison to T5 and traditional four-speed transmissions. Metric dimensions are converted to inches, rounded off to the nearest 0.1 inch.
Trans Model................................... ........................................ A...............B.............. C............ D...........E........... F
GM Super T10, Muncie, Saginaw ........................................ .......6.3............14.2.........23.0. .........N/A........N/A.......3.75
GM T5 (V8).................................... .......................................6 .3............16.0.........25.0......... .19.0.......21.2.......3.75
GM T56 F-car (production)............................ ...........................4.9.......... ..21.0.........26.4..........21.1....... 23.9.......3.75
GM T56 F-car (aftermarket)........................... ...........................6.3.......... ..21.5.........27.0..........21.6....... 21.6.......3.75
Notes: 1. Dimensions B through E include 0.5-inch-thick adapter plate.

 

Well, it sounds like you've done your homework. If you want to get the TKO, let me know and I'll have my sales staff put together a quote for you with only the parts you listed. Please remember, because the motor has moved forward, I would feel more comfortable if you would take some measurements for us so that we can locate the shifter correctly. Are you planning on utilizing the original hole in the floor?

Richard

 

Yes, I'll be using the stock shifter hole.
I'll fabricate my own "adapter" so I can use the stock location in the car. I want it to look stock as possible.
What are the output yoke selections? It would make my life easier if I could just swap the yoke and not have to take my drive shaft in for modifications?

 

Typically we use a strap-style yoke which is similar to your pinion yoke. Remove 4 bolts and the straps and the u-joint can be seperated from the yoke. It is a 1310 size yoke which means the u-joint is 3.250" across and 1.0625" cap diameter. Usually the driveshafts are about 2" too long, in your case, you may be able to get away with just swapping the yoke.


Richard

 

Let me check the yoke size and I'll give you a call this week.

 

That will work....glad I could help.




Richard