Tremec TKO Transmissions Element 4 – How to Opt for the Ideal 1
So you have made the decision the positive aspects that the TKO five velocity gives are well worth the cost and energy. Now, the concern is which just one is the most effective match for your motor vehicle? Do you want the more deep initially gear in the TKO-500, or would the nearer equipment spacing of the TKO-600 be a much better match for your mixture? Ought to you decide for the .82 overdrive ratio in the TKO-600 instead of the .64? If you have a Ford, which input shaft do you will need?
The to start with pinpointing element when deciding on a TKO is likely to be your engine’s electricity output. Keep in head that transmissions are rated for torque, not horsepower. The peak horsepower amount would not truly subject a lot, it is torque that breaks factors! The TKO-500 is rated for 500 lb.-ft. of torque, and the TKO-600 is rated at 600 lb.-ft. Even though both of those TKOs will stand up to noticeably extra torque than they are rated for, you nevertheless require to maintain the torque capacity rating in head.
The 2nd point you require to contemplate is your rear axle ratio. The common rule of thumb, with exceptions, is anything with a rear gear in the superior twos or reduced threes (2.73, 3.08, 3.23, 3.36, etcetera.) will be a superior candidate for the TKO-500. The reduced 3.27:1 1st equipment in the TKO-500 will give you substantially improved off the line acceleration than a standard 4 speed, 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, etcetera.) would be much better suited to the TKO-600. With a rear axle ratio of 3.73:1 or greater (numerically), your vehicle will not want as substantially “assist” off the line as the numerically decreased axle ratios do, and the a bit taller overdrive of the TKO-600 with the .64 fifth gear will decrease your freeway RPM a small little bit extra 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 possibly 1, and the correct selection will count on the third and fourth elements.
The 3rd variable you require to seem at is your rear tire dimension. If you have a genuinely tall rear tire, the reduction in productive gear ratio that the tire provides desires to be taken into account. A tire that is 26-27″ tall is considered fairly usual for a muscle mass car or truck. If you are working 30″ tall Mickey Thompsons, having said that, your tire peak will make a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio execute far more like a 3.25:1 axle ratio would with a 26″ tall tire!
The fourth matter to contemplate is your engine’s temperament, together with your driving behaviors. Do you have a somewhat mild motor that is delighted when cruising at 2000 RPM, or is your motor extra high-strung and would not seriously commence to run cleanly right until you strike 2800 RPM? Do you routinely travel prolonged distances on the interstate at 75 MPH, or do you adhere to secondary streets wherever you almost never go much more than 60 MPH? It is quite achievable to get also considerably overdrive, and end up with a vehicle that you are unable to put into fifth gear until you are managing at least 80 MPH for the reason that at lower speeds the overdrive drops your motor RPM also a great deal. That is when the TKO-600 with the .82 overdrive could be the best preference. Several people who participate in road racing favor the TKO-600 with the .82 overdrive, because it retains their motor in its powerband on a road course in fifth equipment, and the .64:1 ratio would fall their RPM far too minimal.
The previous issue to solution only applies to Ford homeowners. There are four diverse input shaft styles readily available for the TKO in a Ford: 10 spline and 26 spline, small or lengthy. The TKO-500 is available with possibly a 10-spline Ford pattern input shaft or a 26-spline GM sample input shaft. The TKO-600 is only accessible with the stronger 26-spline GM pattern. For the input shaft length, fundamentally you will need to know what dimensions and year motor you have, and what depth your bellhousing is. Ford has applied a number of distinct bellhousing depths above the a long time, and there are more variations than I have space to get into listed here. Most Tremec distributors can enable you figure out what input shaft you require if you have the earlier mentioned data.
When deciding on a TKO that is appropriate for your auto, you require to take into account your engine’s torque output, your rear axle ratio, your tire sizing, your engine’s temperament, and your ordinary cruising speed. If you have a Ford, you will need to have to know the motor size and 12 months, as nicely as the bellhousing depth. When you realize how all these perform collectively, you are prepared to select the transmission that suits your needs the very best. For much more information and facts on TKO specs, choices, and the positive aspects of an overdrive, just take a glance at my other content in this sequence.
