TKO 500/600/T56 Swap Information (Fixed TKO/56 links)
03-06-2007, 05:08 AM
#1
6th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 12,575
TKO 500/600/T56 Swap Information (Fixed TKO/56 links)
I wrote a BOOK here, but I think it can really help out people wanting to do a swap. I would have simply pmd code with this, but its over the character limit for PMs 
I would like to submit this for the tech stickey section (even though nobody ever reads it lol)
TKO 500/600/ T56 swap information:
Alot of people have been asking lately about the differences, or about doing, either a T-56 or TKO 500/600 swap. Here is some information about doing said swap and the differences in transmissions.
Differences and gear ratios:
The TKO 500/600, both versions of the 56 than fit our cars, AND the stock 3650 and T45 all have VERY simliar gear ratios until 4th gear.It is a misconception that the 56 is superior before 4th gear. The only real differences are all the other transmissions and the T-56's overdrives. If you get a "wide" ratio you don't really get anything but an additional gear between the4th and 5th gearof the other transmissions The T56 (wide ratio)4th is 1:1, 5th is .80, 6th is .62 compared to the 3650 with a 4th of 1:1 and a 5th of .62. With the close ratio trans you still get a 1:1 4th gear, but you get a .74 5th and a .50 6th. This is the "viper spec" transmission everyone talks about, and the only 56 that will allow you to run a much more agressive rear gear ratio and still have good highway RPM.
Here are some links to the gear ratios of the different transmissions for our cars:
T-56:
http://www.ddperformance.com/T-56%20Transmissions.htm
TKO 500/600:
http://www.ddperformance.com/Tremec%20Trans.htm
T-45:
http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English/products/T-45.asp
3650:
http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English...ts/TR-3650.asp
As you can see, the 500 has a more agressive 1st gear than the rest, (which I really like for launching) while it still puts you in a great spot for 2nd gear (so long as you run a set of 3.73s+). The 600 has a longer first gear ratio, which may be a concern if you are running a realitivly low horsepower car.. but if you are then you don't need the 600.
Simply put though, other than the 500's first gear there isn't a really significant gearing difference until after 4th gear between any of the transmissions. You won't be winning or losing any races because of any of these transmissions until 120+ (with a 3.73 gear). At 120+ MPH you get a slight advantage with the close (viper) and a bigger advantage with the "wide" as you have a more agressive gear after 4th.
The "wide"T-56 will not allow you to run a more agressive gearlike the "close" ratio, as the overdrive gear (6thcompared to 5th ) is nearly identical to the other transmissions (identical to the 3650). The close ratio you have the .50 overdrive which would allow you to run a much more agressive rearend gear if you want to and still have a good RPM for crusing.
What you will need for the swap:
TKO 500/600:
Alot of this depends on the model you get. If you get a model with the stock spline input you CAN use your stock clutch, however this is a good/great time to swap to a new one. (along with anclutchquadrant and firewall adjuster) If you order a 26T spline input, you will have to buy a 26T specific clutch for it to mate up. The 26T is stronger than the other (10 spline) that matches your stock trans.
Assuming you get a new clutch, you will need:
Bellhousing
Transmission (it comes with a hurst short throw)
Clutch
Flywheel (or resurface stocker)
Fluid, approx 5 1/2 pints(Synthetic ATFFTW!)
You will also need to slightly modify the tranmission crossmember to make the TKO fit. Its not a hard job, just notch out the place that rubs with a air tool. The stock driveshaft works with the TKO, as all output shafts are 31 spline. I personally just bought a FRPP aluminum driveshaft when I did the swap, although the stocker will work.
500 vs 600
From what I can tell, the main difference between the 500 and 600 (which is the TQ rating on each, but they will take MUCH more) is first gear. The 600 has a longer 2.87 first gear ratio compared to the 500s 3.27. This makes the tranmission stronger because a larger gear is naturally stronger than a smaller one. For reference, the 45 and 3650 have a 3.37 and 3.38 first gear. The thing to consider before simply going with the 600 is your power output and launch. I went with the 500 feeling that if I did not the longer first gear of the 600 would hamper launch, as you want a agressive 1st gear. I did not notice the differnece between the 3.27 of the 500 and the 3.37 of the 45, but I can guarentee you will notice the diff in the 600.
T56:
Basically the same, with the exception that you will need a shortened (supposed to be about an inch) driveshaft to keep the driveline angle the same. The stock yoke will fit as well. You will also need a new 56 specific shifter.
How to make the decision:
There are a couple of things to think about while doing this swap. The first is cost, as the 56 is MUCH more expensive than the TKO tranmissions. For the trans alone your talking about 2500 for the wide ratio and 3200 for the wide (viper)ratio. This is compared to somewhere between 1600 and 1800 for the TKOs. You will also have to pay more to have the driveshaft shortened on the T-56, and you must buy a new shifter that is T-56 specfic.
The second is strength. Unless you get the close ratio (viper) transmission the TKOs are rated as good or better than the 56. Regardless of the ratings, both transmissions will handle more than the advertised torque rating, however from personal experence and research the TKO is an overall stronger trans (if nothing else because it is a true aftermarket trans, not a mass produced model). In any case, it is VERY hard to make enough torque on a 2v 4.6L to acutally break either trans. If you do break one, its going to be do to abuse (hard shifting, hard launches w/ slicks), and it will more than likely be a syncroiser etc. IMO the TKO is superior in this aspect, as the syncs etc are stronger and designed to take more abuse (once again being a true aftermarket setup). So long as you are not virutally attempting to destroy the trans (or beating the hell out of it all the time, or making ALOT of power) you should have no problems with either trans, although anything can happen.
The third is driving habits, you have to ask yourself:
1. Do I want to race over 120(with 3.73s, less with more agressive ratio) MPH, or after4th gear,in my car?
2. Do I need to run a taller gear than a 4.10/3.73 rear gear? (close ratio only). Do you really want to run a 4.30+ gearset the .50 overdrive of the close ratio will allow you to?
3. Do I do a TON of highway driving where that super low .50 6th speed on the "viper" will make a difference?
4. If I do a viper trans, am I willing to swap the rearend gearsif the .50 is causing the car to lug in 6th at highway speeds (it might, would be a big diff between it and your stock trans, I have no personal experence). This will probably not be a problem, but the ratio is fairly low.
If your answer is not yes to these (at least some) questions you really don't need the extra expense of the 56.
Final thoughts:
Alot of people are unfaimlar with the TKO 500/600 line, and when they want to do a transmissi
I would like to submit this for the tech stickey section (even though nobody ever reads it lol)TKO 500/600/ T56 swap information:
Alot of people have been asking lately about the differences, or about doing, either a T-56 or TKO 500/600 swap. Here is some information about doing said swap and the differences in transmissions.
Differences and gear ratios:
The TKO 500/600, both versions of the 56 than fit our cars, AND the stock 3650 and T45 all have VERY simliar gear ratios until 4th gear.It is a misconception that the 56 is superior before 4th gear. The only real differences are all the other transmissions and the T-56's overdrives. If you get a "wide" ratio you don't really get anything but an additional gear between the4th and 5th gearof the other transmissions The T56 (wide ratio)4th is 1:1, 5th is .80, 6th is .62 compared to the 3650 with a 4th of 1:1 and a 5th of .62. With the close ratio trans you still get a 1:1 4th gear, but you get a .74 5th and a .50 6th. This is the "viper spec" transmission everyone talks about, and the only 56 that will allow you to run a much more agressive rear gear ratio and still have good highway RPM.
Here are some links to the gear ratios of the different transmissions for our cars:
T-56:
http://www.ddperformance.com/T-56%20Transmissions.htm
TKO 500/600:
http://www.ddperformance.com/Tremec%20Trans.htm
T-45:
http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English/products/T-45.asp
3650:
http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English...ts/TR-3650.asp
As you can see, the 500 has a more agressive 1st gear than the rest, (which I really like for launching) while it still puts you in a great spot for 2nd gear (so long as you run a set of 3.73s+). The 600 has a longer first gear ratio, which may be a concern if you are running a realitivly low horsepower car.. but if you are then you don't need the 600.
Simply put though, other than the 500's first gear there isn't a really significant gearing difference until after 4th gear between any of the transmissions. You won't be winning or losing any races because of any of these transmissions until 120+ (with a 3.73 gear). At 120+ MPH you get a slight advantage with the close (viper) and a bigger advantage with the "wide" as you have a more agressive gear after 4th.
The "wide"T-56 will not allow you to run a more agressive gearlike the "close" ratio, as the overdrive gear (6thcompared to 5th ) is nearly identical to the other transmissions (identical to the 3650). The close ratio you have the .50 overdrive which would allow you to run a much more agressive rearend gear if you want to and still have a good RPM for crusing.
What you will need for the swap:
TKO 500/600:
Alot of this depends on the model you get. If you get a model with the stock spline input you CAN use your stock clutch, however this is a good/great time to swap to a new one. (along with anclutchquadrant and firewall adjuster) If you order a 26T spline input, you will have to buy a 26T specific clutch for it to mate up. The 26T is stronger than the other (10 spline) that matches your stock trans.
Assuming you get a new clutch, you will need:
Bellhousing
Transmission (it comes with a hurst short throw)
Clutch
Flywheel (or resurface stocker)
Fluid, approx 5 1/2 pints(Synthetic ATFFTW!)
You will also need to slightly modify the tranmission crossmember to make the TKO fit. Its not a hard job, just notch out the place that rubs with a air tool. The stock driveshaft works with the TKO, as all output shafts are 31 spline. I personally just bought a FRPP aluminum driveshaft when I did the swap, although the stocker will work.
500 vs 600
From what I can tell, the main difference between the 500 and 600 (which is the TQ rating on each, but they will take MUCH more) is first gear. The 600 has a longer 2.87 first gear ratio compared to the 500s 3.27. This makes the tranmission stronger because a larger gear is naturally stronger than a smaller one. For reference, the 45 and 3650 have a 3.37 and 3.38 first gear. The thing to consider before simply going with the 600 is your power output and launch. I went with the 500 feeling that if I did not the longer first gear of the 600 would hamper launch, as you want a agressive 1st gear. I did not notice the differnece between the 3.27 of the 500 and the 3.37 of the 45, but I can guarentee you will notice the diff in the 600.
T56:
Basically the same, with the exception that you will need a shortened (supposed to be about an inch) driveshaft to keep the driveline angle the same. The stock yoke will fit as well. You will also need a new 56 specific shifter.
How to make the decision:
There are a couple of things to think about while doing this swap. The first is cost, as the 56 is MUCH more expensive than the TKO tranmissions. For the trans alone your talking about 2500 for the wide ratio and 3200 for the wide (viper)ratio. This is compared to somewhere between 1600 and 1800 for the TKOs. You will also have to pay more to have the driveshaft shortened on the T-56, and you must buy a new shifter that is T-56 specfic.
The second is strength. Unless you get the close ratio (viper) transmission the TKOs are rated as good or better than the 56. Regardless of the ratings, both transmissions will handle more than the advertised torque rating, however from personal experence and research the TKO is an overall stronger trans (if nothing else because it is a true aftermarket trans, not a mass produced model). In any case, it is VERY hard to make enough torque on a 2v 4.6L to acutally break either trans. If you do break one, its going to be do to abuse (hard shifting, hard launches w/ slicks), and it will more than likely be a syncroiser etc. IMO the TKO is superior in this aspect, as the syncs etc are stronger and designed to take more abuse (once again being a true aftermarket setup). So long as you are not virutally attempting to destroy the trans (or beating the hell out of it all the time, or making ALOT of power) you should have no problems with either trans, although anything can happen.
The third is driving habits, you have to ask yourself:
1. Do I want to race over 120(with 3.73s, less with more agressive ratio) MPH, or after4th gear,in my car?
2. Do I need to run a taller gear than a 4.10/3.73 rear gear? (close ratio only). Do you really want to run a 4.30+ gearset the .50 overdrive of the close ratio will allow you to?
3. Do I do a TON of highway driving where that super low .50 6th speed on the "viper" will make a difference?
4. If I do a viper trans, am I willing to swap the rearend gearsif the .50 is causing the car to lug in 6th at highway speeds (it might, would be a big diff between it and your stock trans, I have no personal experence). This will probably not be a problem, but the ratio is fairly low.
If your answer is not yes to these (at least some) questions you really don't need the extra expense of the 56.
Final thoughts:
Alot of people are unfaimlar with the TKO 500/600 line, and when they want to do a transmissi
great write up, and very valuable information thanks!
03-06-2007, 12:01 PM
#6
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location:
Posts: 1,409
RE: Tech article sumitting for stickey
Exactly. It should also be added that a rebuilt T-45 (yes I had to[:@]) with labor and everything is about $2200.So for maybe 600-700 more you have a transmission you aren't going to have to worry about for quite a while. If I had had the money I would have done it in a heartbeat.
