Tremec TKO Transmissions Part 4 – How to Choose the Right One

So you have determined the rewards that the TKO 5 velocity offers are really worth the price and energy. Now, the dilemma is which a single is the greatest match for your automobile? Do you want the extra deep to start with gear in the TKO-500, or would the closer gear spacing of the TKO-600 be a greater match for your mixture? Really should you choose for the .82 overdrive ratio in the TKO-600 rather of the .64? If you have a Ford, which enter shaft do you will need?

The initial deciding component when picking out a TKO is heading to be your engine’s electrical power output. Preserve in mind that transmissions are rated for torque, not horsepower. The peak horsepower number doesn’t really make any difference considerably, it is torque that breaks things! The TKO-500 is rated for 500 lb.-ft. of torque, and the TKO-600 is rated at 600 lb.-ft. Even although the two TKOs will stand up to significantly much more torque than they are rated for, you continue to require to maintain the torque ability score in brain.

The 2nd thing you need to think about is your rear axle ratio. The basic rule of thumb, with exceptions, is anything at all with a rear gear in the significant twos or small threes (2.73, 3.08, 3.23, 3.36, etc.) will be a superior prospect for the TKO-500. The reduced 3.27:1 very first gear in the TKO-500 will give you much greater off the line acceleration than a standard four pace, and assistance compensate for the “highway gear” in the rear axle. Something with an axle ratio in the large threes and up (3.73, 3.90, 4.10, 4.30, 4.56, etc.) would be far better suited to the TKO-600. With a rear axle ratio of 3.73:1 or greater (numerically), your automobile doesn’t need as a great deal “aid” off the line as the numerically decreased axle ratios do, and the a little taller overdrive of the TKO-600 with the .64 fifth equipment will reduced your highway RPM a tiny bit a lot more than the .68:1 that is in the TKO-500. If you have an axle ratio in the mid-threes, (3.42, 3.50, 3.55 you could go with both one particular, and the suitable alternative will depend on the 3rd and fourth aspects.

The 3rd element you have to have to appear at is your rear tire size. If you have a genuinely tall rear tire, the reduction in powerful gear ratio that the tire supplies wants to be taken into account. A tire that is 26-27″ tall is deemed reasonably standard for a muscle mass vehicle. If you are managing 30″ tall Mickey Thompsons, however, your tire top will make a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio execute more like a 3.25:1 axle ratio would with a 26″ tall tire!

The fourth detail to consider is your engine’s temperament, along with your driving practices. Do you have a reasonably moderate motor that is content when cruising at 2000 RPM, or is your engine a lot more superior-strung and doesn’t actually commence to run cleanly until finally you hit 2800 RPM? Do you usually push extended distances on the interstate at 75 MPH, or do you adhere to secondary roadways where you not often go a lot more than 60 MPH? It is very achievable to get far too substantially overdrive, and finish up with a auto that you are not able to set into fifth gear unless of course you are jogging at minimum 80 MPH simply because at lessen speeds the overdrive drops your motor RPM way too a great deal. That is when the TKO-600 with the .82 overdrive might be the best alternative. Quite a few individuals who take part in road racing prefer the TKO-600 with the .82 overdrive, mainly because it keeps their engine in its powerband on a highway system in fifth gear, and the .64:1 ratio would drop their RPM way too small.

The past dilemma to reply only applies to Ford house owners. There are 4 different input shaft designs out there for the TKO in a Ford: 10 spline and 26 spline, small or extended. The TKO-500 is out there with both a 10-spline Ford pattern enter shaft or a 26-spline GM sample enter shaft. The TKO-600 is only accessible with the more robust 26-spline GM pattern. For the input shaft size, in essence you will need to know what sizing and yr engine you have, and what depth your bellhousing is. Ford has used several distinctive bellhousing depths about the decades, and there are a lot more variants than I have place to get into in this article. Most Tremec distributors can support you figure out what enter shaft you want if you have the over information.

When deciding upon a TKO that is appropriate for your automobile, you need to have to think about your engine’s torque output, your rear axle ratio, your tire dimensions, your engine’s temperament, and your standard cruising velocity. If you have a Ford, you will have to have to know the motor sizing and 12 months, as well as the bellhousing depth. The moment you have an understanding of how all these perform alongside one another, you are all set to select the transmission that fits your needs the finest. For more data on TKO technical specs, solutions, and the positive aspects of an overdrive, take a search at my other article content in this sequence.