Tremec 3550 question

hoopty5.0 · Aug 31, 2011

Hi,

So Im going to buy the following for $1400 this weekend - its used, from a local forum:

Tremec 3550 w/ 26 spline input
Bell housing
Centerforce dual friction clutch, press. plate and flywheel
Tri-ax shifter
Aluminum driveshaft.

I drove the car it was in today before I bought it to make sure it was all in good order and seemed to be fine.

With the 26 spline input shaft, what will this trans hold? Stock rating is 425 lb ft, but I couldn't find anything else to gauge what it will hold.

Since Im expecting 475-500 lb ft from my 408, should I upgrade the tailshaft too so it would be like a TKO?

Thanks,
Collin

90mustangGT · Sep 1, 2011

Call Tremec

bentley429isBAC · Sep 1, 2011

It is going to scatter unless you build it

281pony · Sep 1, 2011

it should be a 26 spline input and 31 spline output already. you have an original "tko" there.

rated for 425 tq with those options. a tr3550 is a 10 spline input shaft and 28 output. rated 375 torque. when you get into the tko500/600, there is more internal modifications making it stronger.

it is not just the input/output shafts that are different. you can give tremec a call with the dog tag number. the number will start tr3550 space.. then a number.

that number there will tell tremec what you have. that number you have should be a lower digit. the "tko" i almost bought which was advertised and looked like a tko600, was not. ie; the input output shaft count. people try to pull that **** all the time and they are original tko's.

tremec rep told me a true tko500+ number starts at like 6 or 7 after the tr3550. goes up to 12 for all the models.

bentley429isBAC · Sep 2, 2011

Pretty much what he said

hoopty5.0 · Sep 2, 2011

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Yep, its a tko: PN 2600708. I got the tko, tri-ax and new ram clutch for $950. Not a bad day...

281pony · Sep 2, 2011

good deal. just be happy you didn't buy a "tko600".

i educated myself real well after having, not 1, not 2, not 5, but 6 people try and sell me that trans as a tko600. finally found a real one on number 7.

jrichker · Sep 2, 2011

Just make sure you use the right lubricant (GM Syncromesh Black) and don't let it run low on lubricant. If you do that and don't do dumb things like shifting without the clutch, the transmission is nearly bulletproof. It will take lots of full throttle shifting and never complain.

My Tremec 3550 has been one of the best Mustang investments so far. It is on the second Mustang after the first one got totaled by a hit and run driver. Shifts smooth and fast, no problems.

hoopty5.0 · Sep 3, 2011

jrichker said:
Just make sure you use the right lubricant (GM Syncromesh Black) and don't let it run low on lubricant. If you do that and don't do dumb things like shifting without the clutch, the transmission is nearly bulletproof. It will take lots of full throttle shifting and never complain.

My Tremec 3550 has been one of the best Mustang investments so far. It is on the second Mustang after the first one got totaled by a hit and run driver. Shifts smooth and fast, no problems.

Thanks for the info! Ill go get the GM Syncromesh to put in it.

Im also picking up a SFI bell housing for a $100 today. Almost there!

281pony · Sep 3, 2011

just a heads up, i was told the pennzoil syncromesh is the same stuff for those trans. it's like half the price and you don't have to go to the gm dealer for it.

i pay around $7/quart for it at oriellys.

bentley429isBAC · Sep 3, 2011

The penzoil is correct. Don't power shift it to much. They don't agree with that to well.

jrichker · Sep 3, 2011

bentley429isBAC said:
The penzoil is correct. Don't power shift it to much. They don't agree with that to well.

That may be true for T5's but the 3550 I have has taken everything I could throw at it and never complained. I never lift to shift when in full throttle mode.

hoopty5.0 · Sep 3, 2011

jrichker said:
I never lift to shift when in full throttle mode.

New motto/quote? I think so.

bentley429isBAC · Sep 4, 2011

I broke my 3550 3 times from powershifting.

jrichker · Sep 4, 2011

bentley429isBAC said:
I broke my 3550 3 times from powershifting.

Every case is different: power levels when you shift, driving styles and manufacturing tolerances inside the transmission have a lot to do with durability. My mostly stock 5.0 engine may not match the power level of whatever it is that you have. Hence the reason why mine has been unbreakable so far.

bentley429isBAC · Sep 5, 2011

Ohhh I wasent aware it was stock. My car was around 500 hp each time. For the op it should make 450+. I am very hard on a tranny.

90mustangGT · Sep 5, 2011

MANY companies make Syncromesh tranny fluid now. When I put my TKO500 in this car I think I will use Amsoil brand.

jrichker said:
Just make sure you use the right lubricant (GM Syncromesh Black) and don't let it run low on lubricant. If you do that and don't do dumb things like shifting without the clutch, the transmission is nearly bulletproof. It will take lots of full throttle shifting and never complain.

My Tremec 3550 has been one of the best Mustang investments so far. It is on the second Mustang after the first one got totaled by a hit and run driver. Shifts smooth and fast, no problems.

Yes the T5 is weak. The Tremec transmissions are "notchy" to shift but they shift so much better, especially at high throttle. I usually don't use a clutch when I shift on gentle acceleration, but a couple years of driving semi's taught me to do that, you can't even feel the shift. Pull it out at 2200rpm and put it in the next gear at 1650. I would never do it at heavy throttle! That's where powershifting comes into play! As of right now, both of my vehicles are automatics.... the AOD sucks monkey balls, the 4L65E on the other hand is the only auto I have ever liked.

hoopty5.0 · Sep 6, 2011

bentley429isBAC said:
Ohhh I wasent aware it was stock. My car was around 500 hp each time. For the op it should make 450+. I am very hard on a tranny.

Thats what I am thinking too. Now that I have the drivetrain complete, I can buy heads next and *hopefully* have the 408 in and driving by early 2012. Gotta buy heads next.

FastDriver · Sep 6, 2011

Well, I've put 762rwhp through mine a few times and it seems to be holding together just fine. Although, I think I need some new synchros or something, because it's becoming a bitch to shift. When I get done building the rear-end, I'm going to see if I can break somewhere around 1000rwhp at full boost. I'll keep ya posted.

bentley429isBAC · Sep 6, 2011

What's on it for tires though? If its not catching any traction its hard to break drivetrain parts. Mine was 275/60 dr and 28x10s when it would break. Had street tires at first and had no issues.

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