GForce T5 vs TKO 600

[jtwoods4]

1970 Trans Am...

So after putting about 500 miles on my car and a track day
at road Atlanta I am very unhappy with my TKO 600. The transmission almost
always grinds and misses 3rd gear at track day events. Turns out this is a
common complaint online. Do a search. Also, The 1st gear ratio is simply to tall
for a 3.73 rear end ( 2.87 ratio).

So... I am doing research on another
transmission. As a side note, I have an auto gear M22 with super case with road
race gear rations in another car. Now that is an outstanding transmission,
however, it only has 4 gears and that is very limiting on top speed with a 3.73
rear. RPM will max out at road Atlanta or other road courses when on a straight
away. 5th gear is needed for the straights. The auto gear M22 road race gear
ratio is 2.19 first. This is excellent with Pontiac high torque engines.


Here is the M22 Road Race Gear ration, which is outstanding with a 3.42 rear end and 26 or 27 inch tires.

2.19
1.5
1.17
1

Here is the TKO 600 ratios, not nearly as good as the M22 ratios when doing track day events on a road course. There is actually no comparison in performance.

2.87
1.89
1.28
1.00
.64
(Overdrive)


After doing some research I found the GForce 5 Speed. The ratios look great. Does anyone have experience with this transmission and the install in a 2nd Gen Trans Am?

2.42
1.53
1.23
1.00
.75
(Over Drive)

[j-c-c]

What rpm are you normally shifting at?
I have a new TKO 600 sitting in the box on the shelf, Your complaint is common for high shifting from what I read on line. Doesn't seem to be a real fix, but a rebuild can reduce problems. Can't think of a worse issue with a road race application, always worried whether you can get the next gear, talk about distraction. Since dumping or giving mine away dirt cheap is a bummer, i'm trying to find a car with under 6k shifting needs i can drop it into.
Dan at Hochkis? suggested a road race rebuild by Bowers trans.

[jtwoods4]

I am running a Pontiac 400 motor and shift at 5500 to 6000 but the tko still has issues. turns out Liberty gear offers modifications that fix this problem. they can even make a custom gear set to change the 1st gear ratio but that would cost a couple of thousand dollars so I'm just going to get the shift modifications done.

[WallaceMFG]

You could always look into putting a gear vendors unit behind the M22. Then you'd get the M22 ratios and shifting you like with a push button over drive. I was looking into getting one before I got my Richmond ROD

[jtwoods4]

Oh my god that's a great idea!!! for some reason I didn't think of that but that would be a perfect transmission setup!!!! its gonna cost me a lot more because I already have the TKO and I'll have to order another m 22, the gear vendor overdrive, and a new drive shaft. Arrrrg, its only money right?

[HellPhish89]

at that cost you could just buy a t56.

[andrewb70]

Since you already have the TKO installed, why not work with it. I have had a great experience with Liberty's Gear. For my next project I will be using one of their dog-ring TKOs. I had a T56 that they converted to dog-ring for me and I loved it. You should look into that...

Here is a video from a guy on the Chevelle forum:



Andrew

[andrewb70]

Also, G-force offers their T56 with an upgraded gear set that has very similar ratios to the roar race M22 that you have, but with the addition of two overdrive gears. They can also make a dog-ring version of that transmission.

Or...you can contact MTI. They can build you a dog-ring T56 with the PPG gear set, that has a 2.43 first gear.

You got a ton of options...it all depends on how much you want to change your current set-up and budget.

Andrew

[jtwoods4]

Now that face plated tko looks awesome.

[andrewb70]

Now that face plated tko looks awesome.

If I was in your shoes, I would just do that. Give Liberty a call. I bet modification will be less than $1500 with shipping included. You won't have to change anything inside your bellhousing or worry about shifter placement, or get a new driveshaft. Once you learn how to drive it on the street, it is not a big deal. My next project will have one for sure.

Andrew

[WallaceMFG]

If it's going to be a track only car, the dog ring trans looks good. If it's going to be driven on the street I think always having to shift quick would get old, but maybe that's just me

[andrewb70]

If it's going to be a track only car, the dog ring trans looks good. If it's going to be driven on the street I think always having to shift quick would get old, but maybe that's just me

You don't have to shift a dog-ring box quickly. You can either double-clutch it or once you get the hang of where the gears and rpm need to be, it slips right into gear.

Andrew

[pmazza]

I am a little late to the thread, but I was in a similar situation with my ROD 6 speed. It has a very heavy gearset and there is only so much you can do with the synchros to speed up the shift. I had Liberty's faceplate 1-4 and leave 5-6 synchronized. As mentioned above it is just a matter of getting used to it for street driving. I had this done about 4 years ago and would not change a thing - the reward of positive shifts all the time is wonderful.



Phil

[andrewb70]

Phil,

I sent you a PM.

Andrew

[eric1967]

Is down shifting an issue with a face plated tranny? I understand you can get used to on the street, I mean on a road course.

[andrewb70]

Is down shifting an issue with a face plated tranny? I understand you can get used to on the street, I mean on a road course.

Downshifting is not a problem, you just have to rev-match.

Andrew