Should I get a TKO instead a T-56???
Thread Starter
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Should I get a TKO instead a T-56???
I am wondering if I should get a Tremec TKO instead of a T-56. Do I really need 2 overdrive gears? A 0.68 overdrive on the TKO seems to be enough for my needs... The installation seems to be much easier too.. I e-mailed my mechanic to see what the price difference for the installation would be...
If there is no big difference - I will go with the T-56. Otherwise I will change my plans and put a TKO in my 68'
Olivier
P.S. Has anybody on the forum installed a TKO in their Vette? I remember that somebody on the forum was planning to install one!
If there is no big difference - I will go with the T-56. Otherwise I will change my plans and put a TKO in my 68'
Olivier
P.S. Has anybody on the forum installed a TKO in their Vette? I remember that somebody on the forum was planning to install one!
Thread Starter
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (bence13_33)
>>The TKO will be my tranny of choice once I save up enough money.
I also heared that the tranny is able to handle higher torque than the T-56...
So far - the cheapest price I found was $1795 for the TKO. At http://www.hanlonmotorsports.com/
The cheapest place to get the T-56 seems to be Forte at $1976!
Olivier
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 8:32 PM 4/2/2002]
I also heared that the tranny is able to handle higher torque than the T-56...
So far - the cheapest price I found was $1795 for the TKO. At http://www.hanlonmotorsports.com/
The cheapest place to get the T-56 seems to be Forte at $1976!
Olivier
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 8:32 PM 4/2/2002]
Drifting
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Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (shawn_cake)
I'm probably wrong but I always thought the Richman 6 speed was the strongest and easer to install in a C3 than a TKO or a T-56. It's basically a Doug Nash 4+1 with an extra gear.
Le Mans Master
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From: B'Ville NY
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St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (GrandSportC3)
I considered the T56. After speaking with Mike Forte, he felt that the TKO would be a better choice for me & my car. The price difference is only $1 so that wasn't a problem. Mike told me that Tremec conservatively rates the T56 at 400 lb/ ft and the TKO is 525 lb/ ft rated. I believe the T56 has closer gear ratios than the TKO, but you can find them listed on Fortes website.
I cut my crossmember out of my car since it was welded in. I can say that it would probably be a real pain to try & install this tranny with the crossmember in place. I'm not sure if Norval installed his with the crossmember in ? I bought the tubular crossmember from Bowtie O/D, but will know better how that is going to work very soon. I almost have the TKO bolted in, I just need to cut a bit more of the floor to be able to get the tranny to line up with the bellhousing. I will most likely be making a sheetmetal cover to screw down over the new hole ;) .
I cut my crossmember out of my car since it was welded in. I can say that it would probably be a real pain to try & install this tranny with the crossmember in place. I'm not sure if Norval installed his with the crossmember in ? I bought the tubular crossmember from Bowtie O/D, but will know better how that is going to work very soon. I almost have the TKO bolted in, I just need to cut a bit more of the floor to be able to get the tranny to line up with the bellhousing. I will most likely be making a sheetmetal cover to screw down over the new hole ;) .
Thread Starter
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (Robert Holtman)
>>I'm probably wrong but I always thought the Richman 6 speed was the
>>strongest and easer to install in a C3 than a TKO or a T-56. It's basically a
>>Doug Nash 4+1 with an extra gear.
That's absolutely true... However - the Richmond costs more than $1000 more than the TKO and T-56...
Olivier
>>strongest and easer to install in a C3 than a TKO or a T-56. It's basically a
>>Doug Nash 4+1 with an extra gear.
That's absolutely true... However - the Richmond costs more than $1000 more than the TKO and T-56...
Olivier
Thread Starter
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (SmokedTires)
SmokedTires,
thanks for your information! Please post some message about the installation when you are done!
:cheers:
Olivier
thanks for your information! Please post some message about the installation when you are done!
:cheers:
Olivier
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (GrandSportC3)
I installed the TKO last fall. It is a small compact transmission that has no clearnance problems when installed in my 75. I have the removable crosslmember so it dropped right in. I also like the internal rail shifter. No linkages to worry about. It is smaller then the T56 with it's external shifter. I used the mustang TKO and not the converted version. With a simple 1/2 inch aluminum adaptor plate it bolted right in. It also uses the chevy 26 spline clutch disc. I have seen the mustang version TKO offered for $1495 but I don't know who sells the adaptor plate. Pro South is looking into a place that sells scattershields for chevy that take the mustang TKO directly. It is a cost saving no using the converted TKO's. All temecs are made for mustangs.
The transmission is rated higher then the T56 and I don't need more then 5 gears as long as one is an overdrive.
This is a poor shot of my adaptor plate bolted to the back of the stock 1 ton bellhousing with hydraulic clutch , then the TKO bolted to it.
Monty had a TKO in his car and like the tranmission.
The transmission is rated higher then the T56 and I don't need more then 5 gears as long as one is an overdrive.
This is a poor shot of my adaptor plate bolted to the back of the stock 1 ton bellhousing with hydraulic clutch , then the TKO bolted to it.
Monty had a TKO in his car and like the tranmission.
Melting Slicks
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From: Palm Harbor FL
Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (GrandSportC3)
I can't speak to the special installation issues in a Vette, but I can speak of the Tremec as I have one installed in my Z28. I think it is an awesome Tranny. Mine is hooked up to 3.73 posi rear end, and with the .68 final gear, at 75 MPH I'm at 2,250 RPM's. At 90MPH, I'm at 2,750 RPM's The steep first gear will give you LOTS of wheel spinning torque (you may have to consider traction issues for this). I highly recommend the Tremec, and Mike Forte is AWESOME to deal with. A great guy. Call Mike at Forte's Parts Connection and speak to him or even e-mail him. He will personally respond to the e-mails even on a weekend. :eek:
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (norvalwilhelm)
>>This is a poor shot of my adaptor plate bolted to the back of the stock 1 ton
>>bellhousing with hydraulic clutch , then the TKO bolted to it. Monty had a TKO
>>in his car and like the tranmission.
Hydraulic clutch?? I really don't want to convert my car to hydraulic clutch. That's the main reason
why I want to go with the GM version of the TKO (if I am going to use the TKO)
Olivier
>>bellhousing with hydraulic clutch , then the TKO bolted to it. Monty had a TKO
>>in his car and like the tranmission.
Hydraulic clutch?? I really don't want to convert my car to hydraulic clutch. That's the main reason
why I want to go with the GM version of the TKO (if I am going to use the TKO)
Olivier
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (GrandSportC3)
Why does the transmission care what you do for a clutch? I was converting from automatic to stick and didn't want to deal with the linkage and welding a mounting tab. The hydraulic system bolted right in without all the linkage and under extreme torque I never have to worry about binding linkage.
As for as the transmission goes whether you get a converted TKO or run the mustang TKO the clutch is up to you. The clutch disc is the same regardless if you use ford or chevy still the 26 spline disc. Ford and chev use the same pressure plate.
What you decide for a clutch setup does not effect the choice.
As for as the transmission goes whether you get a converted TKO or run the mustang TKO the clutch is up to you. The clutch disc is the same regardless if you use ford or chevy still the 26 spline disc. Ford and chev use the same pressure plate.
What you decide for a clutch setup does not effect the choice.
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From: FL
Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (norvalwilhelm)
Another vote for the TKO here. There is a fairly large drop on the 2-3 shift but it's not a major problem if you build the engine right.
I talked to Mike Forte and got the 3550 version and saved some $$$. The only difference according to Mike is the shifter and having a 31 spline output shaft for the TKO vice a 28 spline for the 3550. All the other internals are the same.
I talked to Mike Forte and got the 3550 version and saved some $$$. The only difference according to Mike is the shifter and having a 31 spline output shaft for the TKO vice a 28 spline for the 3550. All the other internals are the same.
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (norvalwilhelm)
>>Why does the transmission care what you do for a clutch?
I don't really understand a whole lot about transmissions. I was told by some other forum
members in another thread that - if I would buy a T-56 out of a Camaro - I would have
to use hydraulic clutch and electronic speedometer (becasue the transmission uses pulse
and not mechanical speedometer gears). If I could use a Camaro T-56 and still use
a mechanical cluth and speedometer - this would be my best choice... I can get a used
T-56 out of a Camaro for approx. $1000.....
Olivier
I don't really understand a whole lot about transmissions. I was told by some other forum
members in another thread that - if I would buy a T-56 out of a Camaro - I would have
to use hydraulic clutch and electronic speedometer (becasue the transmission uses pulse
and not mechanical speedometer gears). If I could use a Camaro T-56 and still use
a mechanical cluth and speedometer - this would be my best choice... I can get a used
T-56 out of a Camaro for approx. $1000.....
Olivier
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (GrandSportC3)
I knew this would come up and I wasn't prepared to answer it. Normal at least to me use push type clutches. The activation rod pushes on the fork towards the back of the car. The T56 is a pull type activation. This requires a different style of clutch. You can not just take a T56 and bolt it in. The modified one have an adaptor plate and use the pusher type clutch. These modified ones you pay for. The release bearing slids on a quide, this release bearing is acted on by the fork. A T56 does not have this quide for the release bearing and with the adaptor it is provided.
I could look this up but hopefully someone else will bail me out.
The eloctronic speedo requires either a $600 conversion box of a welded up assembly to run the mechanical speedo, either way it is expensive, When you buy the pricy 6 speed all these mods are already made.
Someone help me.
I could look this up but hopefully someone else will bail me out.
The eloctronic speedo requires either a $600 conversion box of a welded up assembly to run the mechanical speedo, either way it is expensive, When you buy the pricy 6 speed all these mods are already made.
Someone help me.
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (norvalwilhelm)
>>When you buy the pricy 6 speed all these mods are already made.
That's what I thought... So the TKO doesn't require those modifications? Can I use the
mechanical speedometer with a standard Ford TKO?
Olivier
That's what I thought... So the TKO doesn't require those modifications? Can I use the
mechanical speedometer with a standard Ford TKO?
Olivier
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From: Sanford Florida
Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (GrandSportC3)
The camaro T56 does require an electric speedometer, and a different clutch/flywheel setup than the old 2 piece 350. You can buy a specialty flywheel for 300-500 bucks or so, or use a one piece rear main 350 (most people dont like that option). The clutch needs to be the LT1 pull style clutch, and you need the LT1 flywheel that will not fit older crank flanges. You can get your speedo upgraded to 140 mph and converted to electronic fairly cheaply. Red Line in Tennessee does this I think. I dont know if you can use a linkage style clutch on the tranny, but you should be able to do it with a little creativity, provided you dont get the LS1 style (97 and up) T56 with the hydraulic throwout bearing, and no fork. Personally, I also like the idea of the T56. I can get everything I need to do the swap for less than $1700 including new slave/master cyl, pedals, clutch, pp, flywheel... I also like the 6 speed internal rail shifting, and the .5:1 overdrive so that I can run 4.55 gears and still be at 2000rpms at 70mph :yesnod:
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (GrandSportC3)
What's this about the ford TKO. I used a ford yes but I built the adaptor plate. Pro South is looking into a special scattershield that take the ford TKO directly but that adds $300 to the cost for the scattershield. If you use the ford transmission it takes the same clutch as the chevy, the speedo housing requires a bit of machining but the company supplying the scattershield supplies the proper crank bearing and maybe the speedo housing. The slip yoke I don't know. Tremec TKO's come with a sifter but no handle and the slip yoke. Why not just spring for the modified TKO and everything just about bolts in. The shifter does come out dead center in the consol but that can be mofidied.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Sugar Land Texas
Re: Should I get a TKO instead a T-56??? (GrandSportC3)
My aftermarket T-56, from Forte's, enabled me to use my existing clutch system (mechanical) and speedometer (mechanical). The throwout bearing guide Norval speaks of is bolted to an adapter plate you bolt the transmission to. The adapter plate then bolts to the old bell housing.
Speak with Mike Forte again, about his recommended choice and take into account that putting in a hydraulic clutch system is not extremely difficult and you can get good instruction on the forum. You may really want to use the TKO. Either T-56, F-body or Aftermarket, will require some modifications to your vehicle, more than a simple trans mount and clutch system. Plus you get more torque handling ability with the TKO. I do like my T-56 and it serves my purposes perfectly.
Speak with Mike Forte again, about his recommended choice and take into account that putting in a hydraulic clutch system is not extremely difficult and you can get good instruction on the forum. You may really want to use the TKO. Either T-56, F-body or Aftermarket, will require some modifications to your vehicle, more than a simple trans mount and clutch system. Plus you get more torque handling ability with the TKO. I do like my T-56 and it serves my purposes perfectly.