American Powertrain TKO Set up

[JDP Jordan]

I have been MIA from the Pro-Touring world for awhile. Between moving, starting a business and everything else... I've been looking forever for a manual trans for my project.





I have a 1000 RWHP 950 RWTQ 73' Camaro and I've been thinking about a built T-56 or a TKO 600. I would prefer the TKO as I don't need the 6th gear, I can get over 200 mph in 5th. I finally found someone who builds a bullit proof TKO, the TKOExtreme! It will handle 1000 RWHP and it has a warranty!

American Powertrain is the company. They have awesome service! I'm trying to wrap up my project so I can shake it down this year and run some events next year! It's been along time since I've received service like this. I got a quote back very quickly and they are very knowledgeable. I plan on posting the install once I get everything, it will be a little while as I need to sale my 200 4R.

If anyone is looking for a great product and awesome service give these guys a call!

Jordan

[67 ls1 vert]

Thanks for the info. I will call them and see what they say.

[JDP Jordan]

Thanks for the info. I will call them and see what they say.

No problem!

[andrewb70]

I looked at the website and couldn't find the TKO extreme. Do you have some more details? What exactly do they do to increase the torque rating?

Andrew

[AmericanPowertrain]

I looked at the website and couldn't find the TKO extreme. Do you have some more details? What exactly do they do to increase the torque rating?

Andrew

Hello All,

I am one of the owners of American Powertrain and I thought I would chime in on the TKOExtreme. This transmission is hand built to withstand 1000ft-lbs of constant torque delivery. It also features improved internal shift linkage and synchronization. While it will not shift smoothly at 9000rmps like a dog ring engagement set-up, it will shift well into the 7000rpm range and it is still 100% streetable. You can take this thing to the strip, then drive it to McDonald's. We can build the Extreme from either the TKO500 or the more popular TKO600 and save you thousands over a comparable t56. Plus, we can make it fit in most cars with no cutting, so even if you have a full console interior you can run one, no problem. We think this is going to be a top seller once the word gets out (any help with that is appreciated).

I will have a good description of it on the website this week and will post a link when it is up. In the mean time, questions are welcome and you can all follow Jordan's build-up too.

It's very gratifying knowing that the time and effort that went into developing the TKOExtreme has so many people excited! We promise not to disappoint.

Gray@AP

[andrewb70]

Gray,

First of all, welcome to the site. I urge you to contact Larry about becoming a sponsor.

Second of all, you didn't really answer my second question.

What exactly do you do to increase the torque rating?

Thanks,
Andrew

[AmericanPowertrain]

The power increase is attributable to several factors. The entire gear set is cryogenically hardened, as are the shafts, the forks and the input shaft. Here is the description we use on our sales orders:

TKO600Extreme for GM, 1000ft-lb constant load rated, includes:

Cryo Hardened 26-spline dual base welded input shaft,
Cryo Hardened 4616 chromoly gears and shafts,
Hardened one-piece counter shaft,
Brass Cage Bearings,
Sure Shift Synchro Upgrade,
Bronze Fork Pads,
Hand Finished Quick Shift Fingers,
Cryo Hardened Steel Forks,
Dual Hardened Fork Pins,
Full factory warranty,
ratios: 2.87, 1.89, 1.28, 1:1,.64 5th gear

The TKO is very durable right out of the box. The improvements we make shore up it's weak points and improve shifting. Many folks don't realize that the shift quality has a lot to do with durability. For instance, weak shift forks and pins can bend or break, causing downhill problems where things get expensive.

There are other things that we do to re-tolerate the internals and things we don't make common knowledge. Call them ancient Chinese Secrets, if you will. In the end, the transmission will take lots of abuse, shift at higher rpms and give great street and strip capabilities for a price that makes the t56 blush. Hope this answers your questions and thanks for the warm welcome!

[jake72ss]

I noticed that you are in Cookeville TN. I live in Cookeville and have been thinking of swaping in a TKO for a while into Dad's/my 72 ss chevelle. I would like to stop in if that's OK.
Thanks,
Jake

[AmericanPowertrain]

I noticed that you are in Cookeville TN. I live in Cookeville and have been thinking of swaping in a TKO for a while into Dad's/my 72 ss chevelle. I would like to stop in if that's OK.
Thanks,
Jake

We would love to have you. Give me a call at 931.646.4836 so we can spiff up the place a little. We are usually over run with parts and paperwork.

[KeislerGene]

The power increase is attributable to several factors. The entire gear set is cryogenically hardened, as are the shafts, the forks and the input shaft. Here is the description we use on our sales orders:

TKO600Extreme for GM, 1000ft-lb constant load rated, includes:

Cryo Hardened 26-spline dual base welded input shaft,
Cryo Hardened 4616 chromoly gears and shafts,
Hardened one-piece counter shaft,
Brass Cage Bearings,
Sure Shift Synchro Upgrade,
Bronze Fork Pads,
Hand Finished Quick Shift Fingers,
Cryo Hardened Steel Forks,
Dual Hardened Fork Pins,
Full factory warranty,
ratios: 2.87, 1.89, 1.28, 1:1,.64 5th gear

The TKO is very durable right out of the box. The improvements we make shore up it's weak points and improve shifting. Many folks don't realize that the shift quality has a lot to do with durability. For instance, weak shift forks and pins can bend or break, causing downhill problems where things get expensive.

There are other things that we do to re-tolerate the internals and things we don't make common knowledge. Call them ancient Chinese Secrets, if you will. In the end, the transmission will take lots of abuse, shift at higher rpms and give great street and strip capabilities for a price that makes the t56 blush. Hope this answers your questions and thanks for the warm welcome!

I would like to add a couple of things. Most of this is already being done by company's like G-force and Liberty. The Chinese secret he is referring to is removing teeth from the synchros so that the trans will shift at a higher rpm.

This would be the only benefit I see to this.

I have sold TKO's to guys with 1000 hp for the street and used the Ram Dual Disc set up with no problems to date.

The TKO's have a constant torque rating of 500 or a 600 ft lbs. They will static above that for short duration. Most of the 1000 hp motors don't make this type of power until later on in the rpm range. Plus you add the street tires to the mix and traction becomes an issue.


I didn't post this to get into a p*ssing contest or steal anyone's thunder. Just wanted to make sure your all informed.

[AmericanPowertrain]

Gene, though well meaning, does not know what we do to this transmission. We DO NOT REMOVE THE TEETH FROM THE SYNCHROS. The synchros have all their teeth and are 100% streetable. Removing the teeth, or "pro-shifting" the transmission will allow shifting at upwards of 9000rpms but will hurt streetability and low rpm shifting. While I, too, have sold many customers stock TKO transmissions with 1000hp the rigors of 1-mile drag racing and/or road racing will tear a stock TKO up. We are happy to sell a stock TKO when appropriate, and an Extreme to those who need it. Also, I do agree that there are other companies (G-force and Liberty) who produce killer transmissions. However, the TKOExtreme offers a lot more bang for the buck with a very reasonable price point compared to some other offerings on the market.

I hope this clarifies our offerings.

[JDP Jordan]

I would like to add a couple of things. Most of this is already being done by company's like G-force and Liberty. The Chinese secret he is referring to is removing teeth from the synchros so that the trans will shift at a higher rpm.

This would be the only benefit I see to this.

I have sold TKO's to guys with 1000 hp for the street and used the Ram Dual Disc set up with no problems to date.

The TKO's have a constant torque rating of 500 or a 600 ft lbs. They will static above that for short duration. Most of the 1000 hp motors don't make this type of power until later on in the rpm range. Plus you add the street tires to the mix and traction becomes an issue.


I didn't post this to get into a p*ssing contest or steal anyone's thunder. Just wanted to make sure your all informed.

Thanks for the info, I'm still going to use the APT set up as I'm impressed with the service and I know they will stand behind the product.

I'm going to do a complete install write up and I'm sure we'll get some coverage. This has been an exciting project and I can't wait to get it finished!

[Larry Callahan]

I think we are done here and to prevent this from spiraling out of control I'm closing it.

This sounds like a cool project and hope that you keep updating us.