I'm about to order a Tremec TKO but wanted to ask this crew their opinions. I've done the reading and comparing to T56's and Tremec T5's but want to see if anyone has something to say on TKO

 

I havnt read anything bout the Tremmec's, but if it were me id go with the T-56 just for the extra gear, for highway cruising.

 

I have a Tremec 3550 in my car, I had to get a shifter handle specially fabricated to fit through the console, the standard manual F-body shifters are too close to the radio and A/C to work right. Other than that it is bullet proof compared to the weaker T-5s.

 

The Tremec TKO is a direct bolt in to the F-body equipped T-5 vehicle. It uses the same hydraulics and will fit the shifter hole. Im pretty sure it has about the same strength as a t-56.

 

I can take pics of the location of my 3550 shifter hole if you like. I think the 3550 and TKO are the same dimensions, not sure. I've personally never seen anyone in real life other than myself who had a TKO or 3550 in a 3rd gen F-body.

 

Dzhezkov,

 

Dzhezkov,
That's funny you haven't seen anyone else with one. I'm planning on the TKO and I'm going to go on a road trip to visit my father in Christmas, FL....about 15minutes from you. I'm driving all the way from Vermont...I live about 20 minutes south of the Canadian border.

 

Yeah I live by Christmas, a quick ride down along HWY 50.

 

Have you checked out this month's Chevy High Performance magazine? Big article on 5 speed vs. 6 speed--very interesting--T56 was developed for low rpm cruising in electronically fuel injected new-tech motors to meet federal mileage requirements. T56 doesn't shift as well as the TKO/T5, weighs 30 lbs. more, requires electronic reverse lockout, different clutch stuff and a lot more. Carbureted motors recommend running at least a 4.10 rear or deeper to keep from bogging.

 

I've had the TKO in my car for about a year and a half.
Haven't had any trouble with it.
Had lots of bad experiences with my T5.
-Rich-

 

How about the new TKO-500 or TKO-600

they handle more torque, and cost the same(unless you are getting a deal on a TKOII (i.e. clearance))

 

It seem that choosing the tranny determines the whole nature of the car. The main attraction of the T56 seems to be its strength and with aftermarket 5 speeds being so expensive the T56 swap gets attractive--but I just don't need that 6th gear, the slow shifting and the extra 30 lbs. If I invest in a TKO 5 speed or equivalent it will be a major chunk of money saying I'm gonna stick with the carbed motor, money lost if I go to an LS1 in a couple of years. Right now, with a stock 305 and '91 WC T5 with 3.73's it's just fine--but lacking. It would be much better with a built mid-range 350 of about 375 hp at 5000 rpm--but the stock T5 won't take it. So, the LS1 T56 swap for $??? or the built 350 TKO for $???--two completely different cars. I wish someone rebuilt the T5 to handle 400 hp for $600-$800.

 

The nature of the car and it's use is so true when choosing a trannyl. My car is a go to work car once in awhile....a whole 8miles away from my home and once in a great while I'll travel to Conn. from Vermont, about 300 miles of highway driving. Other than that I run 3.73 gears with my semi stock 350 pushing 9lbs of intercooled boost on the streets. I already have my Moser rear end waiting (for 4 months now) and I'm looking at the Tremec 500 tranny. I figure that will stand up to my in process 4bolt forged 383.

 

Well, in West Texas everything is at least an hour away. My regular car is a Civic that gets 40 mpg. The Camaro waits for weekends and the mountains of New Mexico--a long distance cruise then twisty roads with the t-tops out--sometimes the central Texas hill country. Boosting a 350 with a hair dryer is a definite option--I like the stock hood--but dependability is a priority. Good grief--a boosted 383!

 

I'd definitely reccommend the TKO Tremec trannys, my pops just ordered one for his my 68 RS' and it can withstand 650HP so its all good

 

89, good thing my end goal is only 600 to the rear wheels then...hehe. It seriously is but I'm on a 5 year plan to get there. I have my interior/exterior done, and most of my engine done. I'm about to get a tranny and then I have to (re)save for my Moser rear end. By the time My oldest son is able to drive I'll have a 600rwhp monster for him to cruise in. With me in the passenger seat with him of course.

 

I have beaten the snot out of t56's and tko's. If you have a good shifter (pro 5.0) on a t56 it shifts just as fast if you know how to bang gears. The extra 6th gear is great, and you really do not need crazy gears to run it with a carb. TKO Shifts flawless and is very very strong. I missed a shift in my uncles (surely would have exploded a t5) and it walked away as good as it went in. if you want a straight forward swap I say go TKO, if you want to deal with the clutch situation I say go t56. I am personally going to go t56 in my car when the time comes. Both are strong and reliable both have their pro's nd cons (gas mialage vs ease of install) so it is up to what you want really. Either is a top notch choice!

 

i was going to go t56, but i got myself a TKO after i found this site: www.5speedtransmissions.com

i don't really recommend paying those prices off that site, but there is definitely some good info on there. check it out, it helped a lot.

 

I have a TKO II in my car and race it. So far so good. Shifts very nice ,easy to install with a Spohn Crossmember(Highly recommended). You may have to shorten your driveshaft if you are using a aftermarket rearend ie 12 bolt/Ford 9inch. Also the shifter in the rear location comes up through the stock consule
almost perfect .