Tremec TKX in a FE

[Rory428]

Tom, the Toploader behind the 428 in my 59 is also a small block, wide ratio unit, which fit into my early car bellhousing without issue. However, on the new TKX, it seems the "Ford" input shaft available is the much longer T5 length. Too bad they don`t make a regular Toploader length input available, even better if you could get a 10 spline, so you could keep the same clutch disc.

[JamesonRacing]

I was able to get a standard toploader-length input shaft for the TKO in my street car.  I imagine one will be coming out for the TKX fairly soon.  The input is 26-spline as you noted, which was okay since I needed to be a new disc anyway.

[blykins]

Tom, the Toploader behind the 428 in my 59 is also a small block, wide ratio unit, which fit into my early car bellhousing without issue. However, on the new TKX, it seems the "Ford" input shaft available is the much longer T5 length. Too bad they don`t make a regular Toploader length input available, even better if you could get a 10 spline, so you could keep the same clutch disc.

I think the aim for the TKX is not solely older vehicle conversions.   My guess the Ford version is mainly for the Fox/SN95/SN195 crowd.  The TKX does have the regular TKO length input shaft and I do believe a short input shaft is coming.  Some venders are already offering them with a shortened input. 

Going to a 10 spline would weaken the torque capacity of the transmission considerably. 

[Rory428]

Tom, the Toploader behind the 428 in my 59 is also a small block, wide ratio unit, which fit into my early car bellhousing without issue. However, on the new TKX, it seems the "Ford" input shaft available is the much longer T5 length. Too bad they don`t make a regular Toploader length input available, even better if you could get a 10 spline, so you could keep the same clutch disc.

I think the aim for the TKX is not solely older vehicle conversions.   My guess the Ford version is mainly for the Fox/SN95/SN195 crowd.  The TKX does have the regular TKO length input shaft and I do believe a short input shaft is coming.  Some venders are already offering them with a shortened input 

Going to a 10 spline would weaken the torque capacity of the transmission considerably.

Thats interesting, over the years , I have broken 31 spline Toploader, and 32 spline Jerico mainshafts, cluster gears, 2nd and 3rd gears, but never a 10 spline input shaft.  On my current G Force transmission, which has an 18 spline Mopar "Hemi" input,  have stripped the splines out of my McLeod sintered iron disc, something that I never experienced with a 10 spline input. Even most  clutch equipped Comp Eliminator and Pro Stockers use the 1 3/8" x 10 spline input shafts.

[blykins]

Tom, the Toploader behind the 428 in my 59 is also a small block, wide ratio unit, which fit into my early car bellhousing without issue. However, on the new TKX, it seems the "Ford" input shaft available is the much longer T5 length. Too bad they don`t make a regular Toploader length input available, even better if you could get a 10 spline, so you could keep the same clutch disc.

I think the aim for the TKX is not solely older vehicle conversions.   My guess the Ford version is mainly for the Fox/SN95/SN195 crowd.  The TKX does have the regular TKO length input shaft and I do believe a short input shaft is coming.  Some venders are already offering them with a shortened input 

Going to a 10 spline would weaken the torque capacity of the transmission considerably.

Thats interesting, over the years , I have broken 31 spline Toploader, and 32 spline Jerico mainshafts, cluster gears, 2nd and 3rd gears, but never a 10 spline input shaft.  On my current G Force transmission, which has an 18 spline Mopar "Hemi" input,  have stripped the splines out of my McLeod sintered iron disc, something that I never experienced with a 10 spline input. Even most  clutch equipped Comp Eliminator and Pro Stockers use the 1 3/8" x 10 spline input shafts.

When Tremec offered the TKO 500 and the TKO 600, the only difference between them (besides the different gear ratios offered) was the input shaft dimensions.  The TKO 500 used the 1-1/16x10 input and was rated for 500 lb-ft of torque.  The TKO 600 had the 1-1/8x26 and was rated for 600 lb-ft.   That same input shaft is used in the Magnum T-56, which will hold 850-900 lb-ft when the other items inside are beefed up. 

Obviously, there are differences in shaft materials, but as a general rule, the more splines the stronger the shaft, just like in axles. 

I'm wondering if your clutch disc hub hadn't been heat treated correctly.   Did McLeod give you any answers?

[My427stang]

I haven't had a TKX in my hands, but it's pretty short work to modify a TKO input. 

[Rory428]

Brent, when I called McLeod, they said on a drag car, it was not really unusual for the splines to strip out on the finer spline clutches. And, although I tend to agree with axles, the more splines, the stronger the axle, however, axle spines are usually the same size of spline, on an input shaft, the 10 spline has much deeper, wider, and square splines, compared to a 18 or 23 spline. I imagine to maintain the larger spline dimensions, in a shaft with considerably more splines would make for a impractibly large shaft diameter. Although they said otherwise, I think what happened in my case, was that they installed a thinner dual disc hub into my Soft Lok disc. The length of the splined hub was noticeably shorter than on my previous discs, or the new disc that came when I had the clutch rebuilt recently. I suppose a heat treat issue could have also been a factor, as could 5 seasons of 6600 RPM clutch drops. Normally I need a clutch rebuild every 2 or 3 years, but when Hyatt rebuilt that clutch , he used a .380" thick disc, that just didn`t wear out. Yeah, it curled the edges of the heat shields, and the disc followed that taper, but after 5 years, the disc is still .340" in the middle.