Question about a Tremec TKO

[jayb]

This would be for my '67 Mustang; I'm planning on taking the 428CJ dyno mule and putting it in this car as a test bed for various FE products, including the intake adapter, CVR water pump adapters, clear valve covers, etc.  The car is currently fitted with a small block and four speed, and has the deluxe interior with brushed aluminum door panels and console.  I'm looking at the Tremec because of the overdrive, but I want to make sure that the shifter can be adjusted to fit through the factory floor opening so it is positioned correctly with respect to the hole in the console.  The Tremec literature says that the shifter location is adjustable, but it is not clear to me how adjustable it is.  Anyone know if the shifter on one of these transmissions can be moved to fit through the 67-68 Mustang floor opening?

My alternative is a toploader with a Hurst Competition Plus shifter and a Gear Vendors overdrive.  I'm comfortable with that option, but I'd kind of like to try a Tremec, since I've never had one before...

[My427stang]

Assuming a standard depth FE car bell, FE input, and the shifter as-delivered, the shifter will rub the LH side of the hole and be right at the forward edge, in addition, the tranny will require a minor C cut in the floor cross member to get it up to allow proper angle and a little shaping right under the radio, unless you wanted to lower the engine. 

The shifter position isn't really adjustable, you can bolt the shifter on one side or the other of the nub for about 3/4 of an inch difference, or you can flip it around 180, but it wont help you.  A McLeod shifter for a 69 Camaro will offset the shifter to the right and slightly back, which should be perfect for a console.

You can see what I mean below, the stock shifter should flip around, but that makes it worse for a Mustang.  The other plates theoretically allow different mid and front mount shifters, but I have never actually seen one



One nice thing though, a stock Hurst bolt on handle is a perfect match for the TKO nub, so when you get close with the McLeod shifter, you can put it almost anywhere with a standard Hurst handle

I will tell you though, it takes a little getting used to.  A TKO shifts great except for 2-3, and that is because it isn't clearly gated and generally people try to go from second to almost in between 3/5.  Aftermarket shifters are gated and spring loaded to push you into third, but not sure about the McLeod.  I got used to mine and I don't ever miss third.

In addition, people claim the synchros are too slippery.  I am not sure if that's true, but I filled it with ATF+4 that Mopars use because I had a gallon laying around.  It worked so well I am afraid to drain it and try something else LOL 

One last thing, although it uses the correct Ford design speedo cable, you need to run the longer AT cable and AT driven gear.  Other than that, easy swap.

[jayb]

Thanks for that great info, Ross.  Leaning back a little towards the toploader now...

[My427stang]

Honestly, if you plan on racing it, I think the Toploader will be easier to shift and of course an absolute bolt-in with a Comp Plus shifter.

The TKO is super nice for a streeter though

[sixty9cobra]

They make shifters for it you can have them made 2 inches in either direction. I got 1 inche left or I couldnt use my console.
I should have gotten 2 inches left and 2 inches back. I think its a division of Mcleod.   I have a 12" clutch for the TKO if you need it. I have pictures if you wanna see how it sits in the shifter hole. I would modify the trans tunnel mines right against it. I had to lay the motor back a bit.


I found it here ya go!

http://www.mcleodracing.com/products/Slik+Stik.+TKO+500+%26+600.mcl#

[jayb]

Thanks Harry, that shifter may just address my concerns about the TKO.  If you can come up with that picture showing where it comes through the opening I'd appreciate it.  Modifying the tunnel is no problem for me.  I'll keep your 12" clutch in mind - Jay

[sixty9cobra]

ask and you shall recieve

[fe66comet]

Why not do a magnum? It takes 700 ft lbs and has one more speed. I found a guy that makes bell housings and best of all the trans comes with all the upgrades  already done that the TKO requires. All at the same relative price before the upgrades and only 40 lbs heavier. It is rated for 900 hp so pretty much bullet proof to a thousand.

[jayb]

I could do that, but I don't see this car getting more than 500-550 HP at any point, so it might be overkill...

[drdano]

If you're thinking about drag racing with a TKO, it would probably be worth a call to a trans house like Liberty to discuss some of the upgrade mods to get it to shift perfectly at high rpm.  The 2-3 shift in my experience <6000rpm isn't as bad as people complain, at least on my setup.  You do have to "unlearn" that shift though...use an open palm and push straight forward 2-3 and you'll never miss it.  Try to push it diagonally into 3 and you'll hit between 3 and 5.  On mine, I've never been able to go 2 to 5 easily as some folks also claim happens...it always needs to go to 4 first.  Indexing the bellhousing is critical or the clutch will act fussy.  I'd also suggest a shifter with adjustable stops on the throws to keep you from slamming the rails too bad inside.

[MustangGT]

I have a T56 Magnum in a 67 Mustang and am super happy with it.
Shifts easy in all gears and the shifter is positioned exactly where I want it to be.
It has an ofset shifter. I bought a complete kit through American Powertrain so the shifter might be a part of their Mustang kit. The kit came with a McLeod bell too.
I did some research before I decided on the Magnum and it seemed that the TKO is bulkier, more square in cross section. Because of that it will need more work to fit in the Mustang tunnel. At least that was my understanding.
I drove it quite alot last summer with a stock 390 in front of it. Really smooth. I love the extra gears on the freeway.
My new engine was finished last week so it should be a fun summer 

[fe66comet]

I intend to install t566 in my 66 Comet.....Jon

[Cyclone03]

I have a TKO in my 68 coupe behind a 433ci fe.
The shifter sits dead center on the top of the trans but ends up about 1" too far forward,had to cut a notch in the shifter hole. I have no console so I cant comment there.

I have installed 2 TKO's,one in a Comet the other in my current 68. They dont fit...........without modes.

On my Comet I tried to beat it in,ended up basicly cutting the top of the tunnel out and adding about 2"strips along the cut line.
In my Mustang I wasted no time ,just shoved it into (near) place chalk lined around it and cut the top of the trans tunnel out. Rasied it about an inch and it fits fine. I cut from about an inch infront of the trans to bellhousing face,1" off the sides of the trans ,back to about an inch infront of the raer shifter mount. Metal work it a bit then fit some sheet metal to fill the gap on the sides and back. I also made my own trans mount but as said the stocker will work but needs about a 1/2" spacer to raise the trans tail. My set up has the stock 4 1/2-5* engine angle.

 

[My427stang]

Jay I just realized my bad advice, but I am sure you were steered right from the pics.

The shifter crowds the RH side, not the left as I posted above.  Apparently 3000+ hrs in the aircraft softened the cranium a bit

Which of course makes sense, because the TKO shifter is centered and a Toploader shifter is offset to the drivers side.

[4twennyAint]

I'm very happy with the Tremec in my 550 hp at the wheels '89.  At I first had shifting concerns, then I was told the stock clutch fork was too short for the McLeod bell housing.  Put in the extended fork and voila.   Then even better was the Steeda brand shifter.  Just like the other guy said; open your hand and simply push forward - it's gates are aimed for 3rd gear.  My TKO is unmodified and shifts no problem at 6500+.  I've been beating on it, running slicks or drag radials since 2003, 10 seconds of fun.  My wife made over 50 passes at the track where nerves can get you, and never missed a gear.   Long story short - well sorted clutch system should yield a happy driver.