Got a TKO 600 and a Quicktime bellhousing on the way. Anyone installed one in a third gen? I know I have to modify the x-member and move the shifter back. Got differing info on the drive shaft length. Anyone used the Spoon x-member and torque arm? All input appreciated. Tips???

 

pm "1meanZ' he is very knowledgeable about the tko600 seeing as he has one in his car.

he is avery good guy and knows ALOT about these third gens

 

Yup, got the TKO-600 as well. I used the Lakewood bellhousing. Are you buying the kit from somewhere? It should come with the adapter plate to mate to the bellhousing. You'll need the "special" pilot bushing. The stock shifter that comes with the TKO is junk, I hated it. I went with the Pro 5.0 for the trans and had to make a simple plate to put the shift lever where I wanted it in the console. I would highly recommend the pro 5.0. I am using the spohn crossmember and torque arm. Fits great, both pieces are awesome. The stock driveshaft is too long by about 1/2 - 3/4 inch, I went with an AL driveshaft when I swapped rearends so I just had one made for my measurements.

Its heavier than the stock T-5 so make sure your triceps are ready,

 

Did you use the adaptor plate with the lakewood bell. I'm getting the kit from
JAM. Quicktime bell and TKO 600. No adaptor plate required. And they said the pilot bushing should be fine.

What did you not like about the stock shifter?

Would love the Spohn x-member and torque arm but the trannys killing my budget as it is...

 

if by TKO you mean the aftermarket 6 speed I have the Spohn torque arm and X member in red I am going to be selling. $250 for both. If interested let me know.

 

I'm talking about the TKO 600 5-speed. Is that what your Spohn parts are for?

 

The 6 speeds are modeled after the T56. TKO600 is a stronger version of the TKO500 and both are 5 speeds. I put a TKO600 in about 3 years ago, and drove it all last season. I use a lakewood scattershield, aluminum bellhousing to trans adapter/spacer and had a custom driveshaft done by Denny's Driveshaft in NY. I also use Spohn's xmeber and torque arm. ALL fit very well except for spohns integrated driveshaft safety loop which I cut off to allow room for my 3" y-pipe. I'll be mounting / fabbing a new ds loop this winter.

 

Did you get the x-member and t-arm with the urethane bush or the rod end. How does it sound/clank? Is it a daily driver?

 

here's the one I have. Might be the one.
http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...nsmission.html

 

I have the rod end version that mounts to the swivel shackle. The "clunk" is a common thing and to fix it you need to get a different bolt. I used a shoulder bolt that has a full OD all the way through both sides of the shackle. Some people tighten the bolt like they were he-man or something but I don't advise that. Yes, my car is/was a DD and could go to and from the track.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2940428

 

Yes I used the adapter plate with the lakewood piece. I'm not familiar with the Quicktime bell. Is the Quicktime piece a custom deal specifically for the TKO? The plate was necessary to push the trans back as far as possible to help locate the shifter location in the stock area. What I believe they do is swap the input shaft for the ford length so it can reach the pilot bushing, that's why the pilot bushing is custom.

The shifter that came with the tranny didn't locate properly in the console and the throw was incredibly long. I would hit the front and back of the console opening while shifting. And it sucked for the 2 to 3 shift. Again, I can't stress enough how pleased I am with Pro 5.0.

The cross member really helps with the proper height of TKO. Usually they supply spacers which aren't very good.

 

Thanks all for the info!

Brad at JAM assured me the Quicktime bell is a 3rd gen replacement with the hydraulic mount and it accepts the TKO directly. Here's the Quicktime website;

http://www.quicktimeinc.com/products.html

I couldn't find it though. Keeping my fingers crossed as I have not received it yet. Brad seems very knowlegeable and I don't believe I misunderstood him. I will confirm all this when I have the bell housing in my greedy little hands!

I'm gonna try the stock shifter since the tranny has squeezed all the coin outta my budget for now.

Also I'm planning to take a lot of pics during this install. I will document all the mods and stuff for everyone to see. Hope to have it done during the holiday break.

 

I bought my whole TKO600 setup from JAM 4 years ago and couldn't be happier with the experience. The spohn components came from Spohn direct. Good luck with the quicktime and post some pics of the install process.

 

Well JAM was unable to ship my TKO in a timely manor so I started over. Brad is a really good guy and is just having supplier problems right now. Bummer- had to wait a week to find out it wasn't shipped. This time going with a guy in FL. TKO 600, Lakewood hydraulic bell and all the related stuff. Really want the Spohn torque arm and x-member but am probably going to use/modify the stock stuff for now. I'll let all you know how it goes this time around. Install pics and info promised!

 

If I can give you one word of advise, get a hydraulic throwout bearing!!!

 

Why? That is one of the options I considered but I thought it'd be a hassel and more expensive when it's time to replace the bearing. But I'm open to suggestions if there's a specific reason.

 

Once you set it up, bleed it, you will never want the whole master/slave/fork deal ever again. It's a much simpeler system and because of the bleeder lines it's very easy to bleed. Apart from that it gives a much smoother pedal

 

Thanks for the pic. Very interesting. I have a few questions.

It looks like your lines are going out of the passenger side of the bellhousing. Why?

Does the hydraulic assembly bolt on the front of the trans housing? Is the bearing replaceable?

Did you use the stock 3rd gen master cylinder?

Is that frosty beverage in the background a light or dark beer?

 

The hydraulic cylinder simply rotates, it's just how they ended up after assembly.

This is after installation:







Yes, it's bolt on after removing the old support sleeve. The whole unit is servicable yes.

This went into a 69 Corvette, I used a 1/2 ton truck master for it.

That beer is probably Warsteiner or Krombacher, it's a pilsener, a light colored beer.

 

Twin Turbo, is this a Mcleod bellhousing and hyd release bearing

 

Yes, it's a mcleod sfi bellhousing

 

Did you buy the clutch fork cover with it and just drill a couple of holes for the hydrulic lines?
Thanks for all the help, I think I am going to go this way, checked with Mcleod and the make a bolt on Hydrulic release bearing for the g-force, was thinking about using their modular bellhousing

 

I made the cover for the clutch fork hole, that really pissed me off, buying the complete and expensie set and they don't even include a rubber fork delete boot or something so I fabbed this out of some thin gauge steel, had it yellow galvanised and put it on with a water resistant foam backing to keep the crud out

 

I have a new question. Figured I would add rather then start another thread.
I am wondering what the part # for the TKO 600 is. At least the one for our cars. Also someone correct me if I am wrong, but isn't this the same one used in Mustangs?

 

There are at least two PN for our cars. One for the use of an adaptor plate- it has a longer input shaft.

The other is for an aftermarket bellhousing- it has the standard length input shaft and the TREMEC PN is TCET5009. That's the one I'm using. With a Lakewood bell with the hydraulic cylinder mount- PN 15020. The bell is only $75 more than the adaptor plate and it looks like the driveshaft will not have to be shortened. (since the adaptor plate is 1" thick it moves the tranny back)

And no the trans is not the same as for the Mustangs. The internals are, but the input shaft is different. Not sure if the housing would have the torque arm mount either.


I'm taking pics during the install and will start an install information thread when completed. Keep in mind that I don't even have my bell yet- this is just what I've been able to determine from comparing the trannys;

The TKO is very simular in size to the T5. Length width and height is nearly the same. However, it is much beefier in every way. The housing has lots of external bracing cast into the housing. It comes with an electronic speedo drive, reverse switch and neutral safety switch.

Looks like the driveshaft length will be perfect after the new front yoke is installed. The yoke I got is actually a bit shorter than the stock one.

The trans mount is about 1/4" forward on the TKO and bolts right up. It appears the crossmember will work.

The torque arm mount bolts right up to the TKO although it is about 1" farther forward. Looks like it will work as the arm sticks through the mount about 3/4". It'll be close. I may end up extending the stock arm if it doesn't look like it will hold.

The shifter is about 2" forward on the TKO. I'm planning to make a custom shifter handle to bring the **** back into the stock location or maybe even 1-2" back for shifting comfort. Also, the TKO shifter appears to sit a little lower so there shouldn't be a problem with it going throught the hole in the trans tunnel and everything should cover up nicely with the stock boots.

The speedo drive from the T5 went directly into the TKO. No need to buy a drive if you have the stock T5 mechanical or electronic unit

Hopefully I'll get my bell in the next few days and will be able to confirm all this soon.

 

Thank you I appreciate that.
I am planning on getting a crossmember from sphon with a torque arm relocation bracket and a torque arm.
Going to go with a bellhousing also.
I think the only thing I really want to do different is an internal slave. Not sure yet.

 

Thought about the internal also. Seems like a good idea. Some recommend it others don't. I didn't just so all the stock parts would interchange. I was told that the master might be a porblem or at least has to be matched to the slave.

Would love to get the spohn parts. Gonna try the stock ones first.

 

Not to keep just posting, but hey.
I figure I have the money for it, I'm going to put a brand new tranny in, might as well get everything else too.
Think the only things I am not going to get now, is the clutch itself, unless I have to. And the shifter. Going to make a plate for the one that comes with. I would do the clutch too, but I still have a stock 305, and the pressure plate, and disc are both good. At least for now.

 

{....The speedo drive from the T5 went directly into the TKO. No need to buy a drive if you have the stock T5 mechanical or electronic unit....} Are you sure about that? The TKO's use the Ford style speedometer gear. I mean, the hole in the tailshaft is the same size, so yeah, your T5 speedo drive will fit, but the gear won't mesh properly. That's why they sell the GM speedo cable adapter. It uses the Ford style speedo gear on the end and has the correct size threaded end for the GM cable to screw onto it. Unless they've come up with some new developments since the last time I checked, you have to use the adapter with a GM.

 

Yes, it works fine. I have only a 100 or so miles on it but speedo is correct. Had to redrill the keeper tab and use a 1/4" bolt.

 

Wow, that's good to know. I have the adapter for mine, but the drive pin got lost somewhere. I'll have to grab my T5 speedo drive and see if I can do the same thing.

 

Please send me pictures that you have of the product that you are selling! How do you prefer the payment? I recently purchased the TKO-600 and have yet to purchase the kit due to its price. The price that you are selling it for is perfect for my budget! Also, include a shipping quote to 30241. Thanks

 

Hello,
I am very interested in the package deal that you are selling, if you still have it. When you mention the item discription did you mean the torque arm (adjustable) and the transmission mount?
----------
The kit you have, is it for the TKO 500/600 swap?

 

Sir, I am very interested! If you still have the set-up for the TKO 500/600 conversion please let me know. I am positioned to purchase ASAP, my e-mail address is fr33man9200)@yahoo.com

 

i tried the tko bell housing, none would work, which one did you use?????????