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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 12:28 PM
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Default Tremec tko 600

what do you guys think about the tremec tko 600? Im considering some of my future options and upgrades i would like to make with my 73' . i just finished getting car mechaiclly sound, now i have striped out the interior and cleaning everything and replacing what needs replaced. MY 73' has the 454 4-spd with 4.11 gears. i thought about changing the gears to 3.73 or 3.55 but ti realy like the snappy response the car has. S0.... that lead me to think about going to a 5-speed. are their any NEG or POS thoughts about doing his. i know its $3k for the tremec VS. roughly $500 for changing gears.
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 12:37 PM
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I have a tko600 and 3:55 gears with 26" tall tires. The motor is a healthy 434 small block. First gear is kinda useless no traction at all. The trans has the 2:88 first gear too I think a 3:36 rear would work better for me. Had a tremec 3550 before with a 3:27 first gear really useless. I would launch in second instead. Just my experience.
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 12:43 PM
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I'd go to a T56 myself - even with all the tunnel mods, yes.

If you are getting a TKO, I'd have liberty do their upgrades do it.
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by RDCRIS
I have a tko600 and 3:55 gears with 26" tall tires. The motor is a healthy 434 small block. First gear is kinda useless no traction at all. The trans has the 2:88 first gear too I think a 3:36 rear would work better for me. Had a tremec 3550 before with a 3:27 first gear really useless. I would launch in second instead. Just my experience.
..

thanks for this !

i've got the exact same set up ... 26.7 tire, 3.55 gears... in an 82 with a 700r4 with a roller/forged 355... (just bought and haven't taken possession yet, LastC3AZ's car)

I'm not an auto guy..so gonna have a shop switch to TKO600 or T56 before i even drive it..

Its a nitrous car.. prolly spray 200 on it...

So..your input of 1st gear being worthless is a huge point...

I guess...i'll have to gear it numerically lower...as well..

Looks like T56 has 2.66 first...and TKO has 2.87...is this right?

TKO...puts me at 50.68 mph in first (6500 r's)

T56 puts me at 54.68 in first...(6500 r's)
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 01:08 PM
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RDCHIS, could you put a side view of your wheels on so I could see them and what brand they are?
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 01:19 PM
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Wheels are from centerline. They don't make them anymore. Cant post any pictures from my phone for some reason.
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 01:29 PM
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Yes 2:87 first gear not 2:88. When I had a mild 383 the gearing was perfect with the 3550 trans. Now I'm making a whole lot more torque probably 550lb give or take. And don't need all that short gearing in the trans. I'm sure that bb is making some good power. In 5th gear at 60mph I'm turning 2k on the motor anything less than that it starts bucking because of the cam I have so I don't see the need for a six speed at all. I wouldn't be able to use it till I hit like 85mph.
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 01:37 PM
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Another point to make is some people complain about poor shifts with these trannies. I've never had a problem with either one. Also I don't have a offset shift handle. I just switched sides between the boot and shift data plate. The only thing I lost was the ashtray door in doing this. After you have a overdrive you'll never go back to a four speed!
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 01:45 PM
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Great drivability info RDCRIS...thanks... the bucking under load at 2k... is important...

How do you like the 434 small block? Thats a great build and costly !!

What kind of high end rpm do you spin?

LastC3AZ's car..that i bought has the tuned in crossfire... and it flows approx. 719 cfm total...so the 355 motor he built is at the upper limits of crossfire flow... (although on another forum..so me guy bored them like to 2 1/4 inches and flowed like 1150... was cool..

Have you sprayed your motor? What kind of compression are you running?

Fuel management (injected) or carb?

I love big stroked small blocks... good job!
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 01:46 PM
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can you please send some pics of the shift handle on the right side? where you didnt relocate 2 inches left?

i may want to do that too..with the t56

tnx
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 02:37 PM
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I'm out of town for another week to share any pictures. I have the rev limiter at 7300rpm. And shift at 7000rpm or so. Yes it was a costly build. But it's been bullet proof so far I've had it since 2004 when I put it together. Dart block and heads all forged internals, shaft rockers solid roller 624/675 lift. It doesn't sound right until it hits 2000rpm people always ask if it has a miss fire going on. I say no it's hitting on all 8 just keep watching when I leave you'll understand then.
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Arny73
what do you guys think about the tremec tko 600? Im considering some of my future options and upgrades i would like to make with my 73' . i just finished getting car mechaiclly sound, now i have striped out the interior and cleaning everything and replacing what needs replaced. MY 73' has the 454 4-spd with 4.11 gears. i thought about changing the gears to 3.73 or 3.55 but ti realy like the snappy response the car has. S0.... that lead me to think about going to a 5-speed. are their any NEG or POS thoughts about doing his. i know its $3k for the tremec VS. roughly $500 for changing gears.
I drove my 4.11 and tko 600 for many years. It is actually kind of fun and I had the .64 OD for the freeway
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 05:32 PM
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George, I've spoken to you probably 10 plus years ago on here about our motors. I'm under a different screen name now. For the life of me I could not remember my screen name and the email address I used is long gone. Anyway what kind of rpm did you turn with the 4:11 gear at 60mph in 5th gear? If I remember you have a 335/40/17 tire? Which is about 27" tall?
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 07:23 PM
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GKULL, what kind of top end speed were you getting?
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by RDCRIS
George, I've spoken to you probably 10 plus years ago on here about our motors. I'm under a different screen name now. For the life of me I could not remember my screen name and the email address I used is long gone. Anyway what kind of rpm did you turn with the 4:11 gear at 60mph in 5th gear? If I remember you have a 335/40/17 tire? Which is about 27" tall?
Actually they are 35 series and they are 26.4 inches. I never calibrated my speedo to the .64 OD. I carry a printed rpm to speed. I don't even put it in fifth till 60 mph or higher. I used a 7500 rev limiter with my 427 up until it broke the crank shaft.

My present 434 has one of the best cranks and I lowered my rev limiter to 7000 just so it never happens again. I wish that I was in Florida today high of 25 today
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 07:49 PM
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I did the TKO 500 and changed to 3:08 rear. This works well with the 3.27:1 first gear and it's a great freeway cruiser. The TKO is a simple install.
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Arny73
GKULL, what kind of top end speed were you getting?
How fast do you feel safe going?

4.11 is not a good high speed rearend because using OD trannies cause excessive dive shaft and pinion rpm. I run a drive shaft safety loop because I have exceeded 9000 shaft rpm at Bonneville Salt flats.

The local road racing track I've only got up to about 160 before I have to get on the brakes. Our Vettes take allot of work to safely drive over 175 mph. I always buy "W" and "Y" rated tires for the street and race tires like Salt flat tires were rated to 300 mph
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 09:01 PM
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I feel ya GKULL!!

Central Illinois is very crap today. Ice and snow
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Arny73
I feel ya GKULL!!

Central Illinois is very crap today. Ice and snow
You should try living in NW Montana....

I'm running the TKO 600 in my '70 and it's a great upgrade. Like GKULL I chose the 0.64 5th gear for highway crusing behind a 555 cu in BB and a Ramadi 12 bolt rear end w/ 3.73 gears. The shift from 2nd to 3rd takes a little getting used to under high acceleration but very useable. Don't skimp on the clutch and spend the extra $ for a good SFI bell housing and you'll never have to touch it again.


Ray Y
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Old Dec 14, 2013 | 12:34 AM
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I was just hoping to see 130-140 mph

Don't think it will there with the stock setup, if it will!! then i must be scared of getting in the high RPM's.

I've had it 85-90 @ 4600-4800 RPM's and man does it seem like its pushing it
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