How to convert to TKO500???

1990LXDropTop · Jul 2, 2005

Right now I have a T-5 and want to convert to a TKO500. I know I'll need a different bell housing and cross member. Is there anything else I will need? Will my current FMS aluminum drive shaft work with the TKO500?

Also, what is the best place online to buy all the parts I need to do the swap?

90mustangGT · Jul 2, 2005

The TKO500/600 is longer and has a different output shaft.

You will need to move the exaust hangers back, or just cut them off, unless the new crossmember fixes that.

You will need a different yoke on the driveshaft, then get it rebalanced, and maby, such in my case, get it shortened.

Thats all I can think of right now.

jrichker · Jul 2, 2005

See http://www.hanlonmotorsports.com/ or http://www.ddperformance.com for parts

See http://www.ddperformance.com/3550tko5spd.htm for details on the TKO 500

1990LXDropTop · Jul 2, 2005

What if I were to get a G-Force T-5? What would I need to do the swap? Just a new clutch (which I need anyway)? Will my drive shaft work fine with a G-Force T-5?

The Fox · Jul 3, 2005

subscribing... I want the TKO600. That with 3.73s would be a nicely geared combo. Does FMS sell a DS that'll hook up or do you have to fab a DS from the one ya have?

jrichker · Jul 3, 2005

The stock driveshft works fine with the new yoke. If you can replace the universal joints, installing the new youke is simple.

I would never substitute a G-Force for a TKO 500 or 600. The TKO's will take more abuse and live longer and shift smooother. The T5 transmission case becomes the weak point and will be the limiting factor in high power setups.

90mustangGT · Jul 3, 2005

jrichker said:
The stock driveshft works fine with the new yoke. If you can replace the universal joints, installing the new youke is simple.

I would never substitute a G-Force for a TKO 500 or 600. The TKO's will take more abuse and live longer and shift smooother. The T5 transmission case becomes the weak point and will be the limiting factor in high power setups.

I have thought of that. The T-5 case just doesn't look near as beefy as the TKO500/600 which has a thick case with a grid patteren to it. I love the feel of the TKO500 with it's factory Hurst shifter.

1990LXDropTop · Jul 3, 2005

90mustangGT said:
I have thought of that. The T-5 case just doesn't look near as beefy as the TKO500/600 which has a thick case with a grid patteren to it. I love the feel of the TKO500 with it's factory Hurst shifter.

Did your car feel like it slowed down at all after doing the TKO swap? The TKO weighs like 30 lbs more than a T-5 and I've heard they eat up more power.

1990LXDropTop · Jul 3, 2005

Which would be better for me? The TKO500 or 600? My car is my spring/summer daily driver with a little "added stuff" (see sig). I also plan to add a SMALL blower in the future. Which TKO has better gearing?

90mustangGT · Jul 3, 2005

My car didn't feel slower, in fact it got faster because it shifted so much better and all.

The 500 and 600 are the same except the 500 has a 3.27 first gear, the 600 has a 2.95 first. With the 600 the standard input shaft is 26 spline while with the 500 you can choose between 26 and 10 spline. The 10 spline is not as strong.

1990LXDropTop · Jul 4, 2005

Is it difficult to do a T-5 to TKO swap with just a jack/stands and hand tools? I've done a complete H/I/C swap by myself, but have never done a tranny swap. Would I be better off having a shop do the work? What's the average amount a reputable shop would charge to do the swap like ****, clutch and all? There is an excellent tranny shop 5 min away from me. I have gone to them before when I had my former stang with an AOD. They did excellent work. Everyone around here recommends them. Should I pay them to do the swap to insure that it's done correctly? The only reason is because I feel a little sketchy doing it myself.

Shakerhood · Jul 4, 2005

Would the 3550 be a better choice?

bmo37 · Jul 4, 2005

lets see if i remeber cause i did it one mine when it first came out, like stated already I needed a new clutch (if you order your tko500 with a 21 spline input you'll need a new clutch if you get the 10 spline you can use stock style clutches), bellhousing, new block plate (old one was corroded near starter), new speedo gear (believe is got a red 21 cause i got 3.73 gears), the input yoke on the drive shaft is different so you'll need to order a fms or other brand drive shaft and than order a new yoke. the crossmember you can get away with grinding the welds off it and adjusting it to fit rather than buying a new one but thats up to you. lastly you need gm synchro mesh tranny fuild and a new shifter handle.

oh yeah and i installed my tko500 and engine using jack stands and a cherry picker plus a few friends.

1990LXDropTop · Jul 4, 2005

Should I go with the 500 or 600?

ECU5.0 · Jul 4, 2005

90mustangGT said:
The TKO500/600 is longer and has a different output shaft.

You will need to move the exaust hangers back, or just cut them off, unless the new crossmember fixes that.

You will need a different yoke on the driveshaft, then get it rebalanced, and maby, such in my case, get it shortened.

Thats all I can think of right now.

why in the world did you need to get your driveshaft shortened? from what ive seen the tko isnt any longer than a t5 and it just requires a new yoke for the driveshaft. i didnt have to get my driveshaft rebalanced either.

ECU5.0 · Jul 4, 2005

1990LXDropTop said:
Is it difficult to do a T-5 to TKO swap with just a jack/stands and hand tools? I've done a complete H/I/C swap by myself, but have never done a tranny swap. Would I be better off having a shop do the work? What's the average amount a reputable shop would charge to do the swap like ****, clutch and all? There is an excellent tranny shop 5 min away from me. I have gone to them before when I had my former stang with an AOD. They did excellent work. Everyone around here recommends them. Should I pay them to do the swap to insure that it's done correctly? The only reason is because I feel a little sketchy doing it myself.

i paid a very reputable shop 400 bucks for the tranny swap, they put in a new flywheel also. and the guy who did it paid me 100 bucks for my old t5. it isnt that bad of a job...but i had never done anything to a motor or transmission besides changing an intake so i didnt want to mess anything up

How to convert to TKO500???

1990LXDropTop

New Member

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL

1990LXDropTop

New Member

The Fox

New Member

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because

1990LXDropTop

New Member

1990LXDropTop

New Member

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because

1990LXDropTop

New Member

Shakerhood

bmo37

1990LXDropTop

New Member

ECU5.0

Banned

ECU5.0

Banned

Similar threads

How to convert to TKO500???

New Member

I felt sorry for girls because

StangNet's favorite TOOL

New Member

New Member

StangNet's favorite TOOL

I felt sorry for girls because

New Member

New Member

I felt sorry for girls because

New Member

New Member

Banned

Banned

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency