TKO 500 in a classic

[jerry S]

I know that there is no shortage of T5 retrofit parts out there (clutch cable, cross member, etc). What about the new TKOs? Do the T5 parts out there also work on the TKO? Are there manufacturers out there making install kits for classic mustangs? Or do you have have stuff custom fabricated?

 

[LMan]

I don't know the specific answer to your question, but I will relate (because that's the kinda guy I am) that there are 129 seperate threads mentioning "TKO" in this forum alone.

 

[jerry S]

I don't know the specific answer to your question, but I will relate (because that's the kinda guy I am) that there are 129 seperate threads mentioning "TKO" in this forum alone.

if you can show me one that mentions what crossmember or clutch to use, I would appreciate it. I first ran the search "TKO 500" and "crossmember" and got two threads with no technical information of use.

 

[mustbereel]

TKO Kit

Jerry,

Try JMC Motorsports in San Diego. They have TKO kits and ship all over the world. I just installed a TKO500 in my 65 fastback. They can customize the kit to your needs.

http://www.jmcmotorsports.com/catal...nsmission Conversions&cat2=TKO 600 (NO PEDALS)

Brad

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

darkhorseperformance.com also sells the crossmember you are looking for. If it were me though I would just build it myself. That is what I did for my T5 it is very simple.

 

[jerry S]

excellent

Thanks for the leads you guys. I will investigate.

 

[fvike]

I mentioned Keisler Automotive in another thread. They sell the TKO-500; TKO-600; TKO-600RR; and regular T56s as well, with all the stuff needed. For some cars, like the Mopar E-body, they have "PerfectFit" kits, where you get everything from shifter to bellhousing to driveshaft in a kit. I'm not sure if they got any PerfectFit kits for Mustangs yet.

http://www.keislerauto.com/

 

[Route666]

NPD, autoworks.cc, JME and 5speedtransmissions also sell the crossmembers and slave cylinders and brackets. You can use a hydraulic master cylinder if you want to.

There are problems with fitment of the TKO, the output end hangs lower and so you end up with a bad angle on you driveshaft. The only ways of correcting it are to chop the trans tunnel and raise it or lower the engine.

 

[Jester67]

NPD, autoworks.cc, JME and 5speedtransmissions also sell the crossmembers and slave cylinders and brackets. You can use a hydraulic master cylinder if you want to.

There are problems with fitment of the TKO, the output end hangs lower and so you end up with a bad angle on you driveshaft. The only ways of correcting it are to chop the trans tunnel and raise it or lower the engine.

Yah form what I have seen it is some major surgery to get on to fit in the early stangs. Not that is cant be done but lots of work. I have been trying to get someone to make a kit with a template, pre-stamped panel and even carpet so this can be done easy and clean but so far no takers. I would think that is there was a kit with all the stuff to do it right and clean there would be a lot of people moving that way. With the price of a TKO 600 at less than $1200 and a force T5 at over $2000 and the TKO will take more torque and you can relocate the shifter to a better/ more ergonomic location.

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

I was also going to mention the surgery but for sake of being flamed I didn't. Some people strongly disagree on this issue. Also if you do surgery say bye bye to the center console.

 

[jerry S]

There are problems with fitment of the TKO, the output end hangs lower and so you end up with a bad angle on you driveshaft. The only ways of correcting it are to chop the trans tunnel and raise it or lower the engine.

I thought that the TKO fitment issues were limited to 1964 1/2 through 1968 stangs with tunnel surgery being necessary for those years but not for 1969 on up.

 

[mtbdoc]

Hmmm. My TKO-600 fits just fine in my 66 'vert! No tunnel mods.

Then again, I have a R&C front suspension kit, and so the engine is NOT in the stock position. And we just fab'd our own crossmember.

 

[mustbereel]

tko500 in 65 fastback

The JMC kit uses a crossmember that hangs the tranny kind of low to fit without surgery. This resulted in a 5.5* driveline angle. This may or may not be o.k. but I had to mount the Heidt's IRS at the same angle and this didn't look optimal to me. I decided to cut the tunnel and raise the tranny 1.75". The resulting "bump" in the tunnel still fits under the stock console because it is in the far foward area where the console sits higher. All I have to do is modify the "z" bracket that connects the tunnel to the console and everything will be hidden.

Brad

 

[gp001]

No tunnel cutting and no angle problems with the Richmond 6 speed

 

[Jester67]

No tunnel cutting and no angle problems with the Richmond 6 speed

How much is a Richmond 6 speed?

 

[gp001]

How much is a Richmond 6 speed?

Trans is about $3k by itself

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

Shhhh..... Don't tell people...... I thought you would know better. I wanted to do that when I nuked my T5 in the Mach.

 

[4MuscleMachines]

I know that there is no shortage of T5 retrofit parts out there (clutch cable, cross member, etc). What about the new TKOs? Do the T5 parts out there also work on the TKO? Are there manufacturers out there making install kits for classic mustangs? Or do you have have stuff custom fabricated?

http://www.moderndriveline.com/Technical_Bits/tech_alley.htm

Jerry, IMO the best info you will get on any trans swap. Really good service and after the sale support.

Frank

 

[Jester67]

Trans is about $3k by itself

Thanks for the response. But crap that is approaching what I paid for my car.

 

[gp001]

Shhhh..... Don't tell people...... I thought you would know better. I wanted to do that when I nuked my T5 in the Mach.

I've found that once people find out the cost they tend to not want to join the club