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View Full Version : TKO 600 or T56 ???



DRJDVM's '69
02-07-2005, 04:51 PM
I tried to do a search on this question since I know its been debated before, but really couldnt find anything... ( I dont care for the search feature here)

Its time to dump the M20 since it sucks on the freeway !!! I'm trying to decide on a T56 or TKO 600. The motor I have puts out around 450 HP but I'm planning on building a supercharged 406 ( or maybe even a 427 sbc) this year, so I am planning on pushing the 600 TQ barrier then. The car will be 99 % street driven

I dont want to do much as far as tunnel mods or shifter opening cutting etc.... Overall cost is major factor too.

My concern with the TKO is that the 0.64 will drop the RPM too much and the car wont like cruising at 2000 RPM and the 0.82, wont drop it enough to make it worth the $$ (my current motor seems to stumble some when I try to cruise at a lower speed and 2100 RPM range, but not sure about the planned motor).

The TKO 600 gives me more TQ tolerance at an "off the shelf level" and the cost is lower...

The T56 gives me both the 0.80 and 0.62, so I have more options depending on the situation I'm driving at....

My concern with the T56 is the cost...... more to build it to handle that kind of TQ, and more stuff to install it. I'm also worried about having to do more tunnel. and shifter opening mods to get it to fit...

So....... am suggestions ????

Dadms
02-09-2005, 03:24 PM
Not sure from your email what your rearend gears are, but it sounds like 3.73. I have a fuel-injected 502 with a little under 600hp at the crank and I installed a TKO-600 to replace my M-21 and it was one of the best decisions I've made in this restoration. My tire diameter is 25.7" and with my 3.73 gears, I turn 2186 rpm at 70. This is perfect for my motor, and in fact I could go with a slightly larger tire diameter and drop the rpms a little more. The 502's peak torque comes in at 3900 rpm so cruising at 2000-2100 is no problem. I've heard that the 6 sp requires more effort on the install and possibly some tunnel cutting. For me the 0.64 final ratio was preferred. 1st and 2nd are lower on the TKO compared with the M-21, with 3rd and 4th being exactly the same, and 5th being a .64. When I'm cruising, if I every wonder what rpm I would be at with M-21, I just need to downshift to 4th and see the difference. Good Luck.

DRJDVM's '69
02-09-2005, 06:05 PM
I'm running 3.73 and a 26 inch tire ( 275-45-18)

Hurst – Scott
02-10-2005, 01:43 PM
DRJDVM 69

Running 3.73 on 26" tires you will pulling apporx 2160 RPM at 70 MPH if you go with the TKO 600 (.64).

The TKO 500, 600 (.64), or 600 (.82) will all go into your first gen Camaro without any cutting of the tunnel. You "may" have to trim an 1" to 2" from the corner (4 o'clock postion of the muncie hole) in your floor board but if so that is all you have to do for installation on TKO's. The shifter will pop up in the stock postion of your console (using 16.75" position off the stock TKO shifter postion on the TKO). The TKO's have many companies that sell all the parts needed for an easy installation. You should be paying around $1775 for a TKO 600 (.64) #5009. The TKO 600 (.64) is the most popular TKO selling so often it is on back order with many distributors.

The T-56 is a bigger and longer transmission that the TKO's. This means cutting of ttunnel and non stock postion for the shifter postion in your console. As you have already mentioned, the other cosiderations for you is more cost for T-56 and they also do not handle as much torque as the TKO.

A lot more details on this web site:

http://www.ClassicChevy5Speed.com (http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/)

Hope it helps,

Scott

baz67
02-10-2005, 07:20 PM
You do not have to cut the floor of a first gen to get a T-56 to fit. ATS's kit does not require cutting the floor.

Brian

DRJDVM's '69
02-10-2005, 08:46 PM
Correct me if I'm wrong but ATS doesnt sell the transmission...only the kit to install it... the location of the shifter on the trans determines if you have to cut or not...

The pix on the ATS website show the shifter location much farther back than the muncie hole...

Ralph LoGrasso
02-10-2005, 08:53 PM
To hold that much power, you're probably better off with the TKO-600, unless you don't mind spending the money on a T56. Upgrading T-56's is very pricey, as is a good clutch.

Check out G-Force for upgraded T56 parts:
www.g-forcetransmissions.com

They have prices on their website which is always nice.

MarkM66
02-11-2005, 08:22 AM
Correct me if I'm wrong but ATS doesnt sell the transmission...only the kit to install it... the location of the shifter on the trans determines if you have to cut or not...

The pix on the ATS website show the shifter location much farther back than the muncie hole...

I think he may have meant, you don't have to cut the floor to fit the actual transmission. You do have to cut it for the shifter though.