[kilby91]

My T-5 has pretty much bitten the dust, pops out of 2nd, grinds 3rd everytime, and 5th whines... I have been talking to a guy fairly local that has a TKO 600 that is still in his everyday driver now, but he wants to go auto.. He wanted $1600 for TKO 600 (5008 model with .64 overdrive), Bellhousing, re-surfaced flywheel, fidanza ceramic clutch and PP, 31 spline output yolk, steeda shifter, clutch arm, throw out bearing, block out plate... We agreed that i could get it picked up for $1400.. Does this sound like a reasonable deal? I know that i could probably save a hundred or two if i waited and kept looking, but this seems to me like a decent deal.. It is his everyday driver and he said that it drives great. The clutch is a little much for me, but it would work temporarily.. What do you think.. Is this a good trans to swap to?

Thanks, Richard

[jtyson8602]

Originally Posted by kilby91 My T-5 has pretty much bitten the dust, pops out of 2nd, grinds 3rd everytime, and 5th whines... I have been talking to a guy fairly local that has a TKO 600 that is still in his everyday driver now, but he wants to go auto.. He wanted $1600 for TKO 600 (5008 model with .64 overdrive), Bellhousing, re-surfaced flywheel, fidanza ceramic clutch and PP, 31 spline output yolk, steeda shifter, clutch arm, throw out bearing, block out plate... We agreed that i could get it picked up for $1400.. Does this sound like a reasonable deal? I know that i could probably save a hundred or two if i waited and kept looking, but this seems to me like a decent deal.. It is his everyday driver and he said that it drives great. The clutch is a little much for me, but it would work temporarily.. What do you think.. Is this a good trans to swap to? Thanks, Richard

I say jump on it. I paid 800 for just the trans for my tko. Guys around here in nm sell them for about 2000 for everything

[1slo5.0]

Yep, that is a good deal as long as the trans is in good shape.

[grnstang]

are tko transmissions good? i heard they are hard to shift and arent reliable

[88-gt-t-top]

I have the 500 and love it... never had any issues, it's not hard to shift it's just firm. Keep in mind I think you might need a new cross member/trans mount...

[kilby91]

Yeah, i was reading about that.. What i read said that a AOD crossmember would work or i could modify a t-5 to work.. I'm gonna have to look into that a little more. I am gonna get it this weekend unless he changes his mind..

Thanks, Richard

[88-gt-t-top]

Well the reason I said crossmember was because I went from AOD to 5-spd and it came with the TKO500 kit/package, so I'm not sure if the stock AOD or 5-spd crossmember will work...

[kilby91]

I'll have to look for that article i was reading, but it mentioned something about the mount needs to be moved back a little bit with t-5 crossmember, and can be made to work with auto.. Don't quote me on that though.. Let me dig up the article....

** Not the same article but says kinda the same thing**

tko 500 swap - Mustang Forums at StangNet

[White Thunder]

its much better than a t5....i can tell you that...

[flyin ryan]

that's a good deal if the trans is in good working order.. .they can handle allot more abuse especially over what a t5 glass trans can. I'd say pick that shit up and if you can't deal with the notching feel just resell it but it'll be one less thing to worry about

You will be able to use a double hump crossmember for an AOD car because it'll already be slide back where as a t5 crossmember is slide forward more. YOu can use the t5 one but you have to cut the welds and slide it back then reweld it.

[ryans88gt]

shifts like a tractor in comparison to the T5, but is plenty strong.

I'm debating on doing a TKO swap myself, but I'm not too keen on the agricultural shifting.

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by grnstang are tko transmissions good? i heard they are hard to shift and arent reliable

Very strong and reliable. They shift alot different than a T5. It takes some getting used to. I think the TKOs shift better than the old 3550s though. Throws are real short and tight.

[grnstang]

soo...could i shift faster with a tko500/600 than with my t5? my t5 is still good but im just curious for when she blows. would a g force rebuilt t5 be better

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by grnstang soo...could i shift faster with a tko500/600 than with my t5? my t5 is still good but im just curious for when she blows. would a g force rebuilt t5 be better

Once you get used to shifting the Tremec you could probably shift it as good as a T5.

[ryans88gt]

TKOs are a 3 rail shifting mechanism. It will never shift as clean and smoothly as the good ole T-5. But, it will be way harder to break the trans or bend a fork.

A lot of people have problems shifting them about 5500 rpms going into 3rd. I think Tremec had to revise the shifting lugs for improved 2-3 shifting at some point.

Synchros tend to not last very long also. Many people have had the 2nd and 3rd gear face plated as a result.

The 3650 in my Mach shifts pretty good at 6500 rpms to 7000 rpms, but it is definitely a notchy shfiting trans and is a significant improvement over the 3550 based transmissions (including the TKOs).

[screwed by twins]

how does the astro A-5 compare to a TKO?

[gotn20]

tko's aren't that bad. My buddy has 600 and I drove his car for like an hour when he got arested. Two days later we went to the track and switched cars for a pass( yeah i really trust this guy lol) and I power shifted it first try and hit every gear. Ran a .10 better than his best time lol. I'm still talking shit

[ryans88gt]

Originally Posted by screwed by twins how does the astro A-5 compare to a TKO?

Currently A5s don't exist.

Tony has had the gear sets on back order for about a year. Finally found a new manufacturer and had some gear sets that passed inspections and tests, but then there were other unknown setbacks. First it was they would be ready by march, then april, then may...you get the picture.

G-force is the only company making an aftermarket gear set currently for the T-5.

The synchronized gear sets shift like a stock T-5, but can handle around 500-600hp. The weak link becomes the case and the tight distance between the center line of the mainshaft and countershaft.

I've had a stock T5 live at 500 hp for years. It really all comes down to shock load and not over clutching the car and resisting any sort of powershift.