TKO 600 or T-56 Ford Spec????

[rugerbp]

Ok having a huge dilemma, currently in the process of building my 347 stroker, for my 89 stang vert, should be putting down somewhere in the 400HPs range, i know that everyone says that the TKO 600 w/ 600 ft lbs spec is what to go with, and a lot of ppl like the T-56 spec 450 ft lbs not the viper model, also, i am thinking about a turbo or s/c setup later, i can get the TKO 600 w/ BH, speedo cable, and 31 spline yoke for round $2000, i can get the T-56 w/ BH and Yoke for round $2040 then have to get the DS shortened and balanced, but am going to have a custom AL DS made anyway, so here is the dilemma buy the TKO 600 for round $2000 or the T-56 for $2040, i know the 6th gear would be sweet for HWY use and the gear ratio is kinda like having the TKO 600 RR with the TKO 600 5th gear OD so kinda get two-n-one for a lil more money, does anyone or has anyone put more than 450ft-lbs TQ through their T-56, also thinking about the 3.73s or 4.10s and still keeping some gas mileage, any suggestions or thoughts would help, thanks

 

[Sicarius428]

The last gear in both transmissions are very similar so for highway driving, your MPG will be the same. The only thing you gain is a .8 gear for the T56. If you forsee yourself using it as a freeway racing gear it would be very useful. Otherwise you will probably skip that gear in most cases anyways. It's really a matter of preference. The T56 is 25% weaker, heavier, more work to fit but it is damn cool.
Kevin

 

[rugerbp]

yeah the 25% weaker thing i do not like and do not want to spend $3000+ on a viper spec, i am just curious how many ppl are running at ford spec t-56 with more than 500 HP, i konw that tremec has to put some kind of specifications on their product and i know that this tranny will hold more than 450 ft lbs tq, i will still do some hwy driving and some strip/street racing so looking for the best of both worlds, b/c the t-56 1-5 gears is almost like ahving a TKO 600rr in there with a 6th gear overdrive, so that is my main question has anyone really tested the limits of the ford spec t-56 and what gears are people running with the t-56 or to TKO 600 thanks

 

[rugerbp]

Kevin, do you mean by more work you mean to get the DS shortened, on the TKO you still have to swap the yoke to a 31 spline and modify the crossmember, so the only extra work would be the DS correct? thanks

 

[Sicarius428]

Yeah I mean a different crossmember and drive shaft. If you have subframes there is a different mount for the T56 also I believe. Also be sure you can get all the cabling. I heard that dd perfomance sells the cabling only if you buy their T56 too.
Kevin

 

[rugerbp]

hmmm, yeah i knew about the DS and the xmember but didnt know that there would be a different xmember if i had subframes, is there anywhere that sells the xmember if you hav ethe subframes (besides D&D) or that might have documentation on modifying the T-5 for this application?

 

[Sicarius428]

I am not sure how necessary this is but I found this when I was in the same situation.
http://daytonasp.com/ven/kenny brown/files/Fox Body Mustangs 1979-1993 462.shtml
D&D supposidly uses kenny brown stuff in their kits so it might be included but different mounts did throw me off when I was doing my research. Best thing would be to call D&D maybe. Good luck.
Kevin