Welcome to Club Hot Rod!  The premier site for everything to do with Hot Rod, Customs, Low Riders, Rat Rods, and more. 

  •  » Members from all over the US and the world!
  •  » Help from all over the world for your questions
  •  » Build logs for you and all members
  •  » Blogs
  •  » Image Gallery
  •  » Many thousands of members and hundreds of thousands of posts! 

YES! I want to register an account for free right now!  p.s.: For registered members this ad will NOT show

 
Like Tree2Likes
  • 2 Post By Hotrod46

Thread: Looking for transmission advise.
          
   
   

Reply To Thread
Results 1 to 4 of 4
  1. #1
    HDSBC is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
    Join Date
    Jun 2020
    Location
    Kirkland lake
    Posts
    14

    Looking for transmission advise.

     



    Ok here goes again. I had such success with other posters helping on my engine problems, I was looking to see what everyone's opinions on transmission options are.

    I have been doing some research for the past few months and have narrowed my selection down to the Tremec TKO 500 5-Speed Transmission
    Application: GM
    Input Shaft: 1-1/8 in. 26-Spline
    Torque Rating: 500 ft.-lbs.
    3.27 1st Gear
    1.98 2nd Gear
    1.34 3rd Gear
    1.00 4th Gear
    0.68 5th Gear
    3.00 Reverse

    I believe this trans is going to hold up to what I ask of it mostly cruising and ocational heavy load hauling of about 9000LBS for a short distance. I was wondering if there is others out there that have this trans or a similar rig that they could shed some input on what they find is best of its application.

    Should I go twin disk clutch or regular?

    Currently my at 60mph I am turning at 3000RPM + its working the motor hard for nothing and drinking the fuel like no tomorrow so with the 32% gearing increase with an overdrive tans I think this is going to be a huge benefit for my cursing nights.

    I know its a large undertaking to convert a turbo hydro 400 truck into a manual 5 speed but it's a totally custom truck as it is and really want to add some fun to it with a stick shift.

    I have a mild built sbc in an 1981 Chev 1 ton chassis and a custom 1950 cab mounted to it as a work truck. Been a few year build constantly upgrading but here is where I am at now.
    1981 sbc stock bore stock crank 16000original miles rebuilt it because as everyone knows bad year for camshaft.
    Put new rings bearings honed cylinders
    comp cam110 degree normal lift longer duration cam
    Double roller chain stock pin on cam gear
    New jegs stock length pushrods
    New roller rocker stock ratio valve train
    New jegs 2.02 aluminum heads
    New champion plugs
    New spark wires
    new hei distributor
    New680 quick fuel vacuum second
    Jegs duel plain high rise intake
    All brand new gaskets
    Custom 1 5/8 right to 3 inch no restrictions stack mufflers
    Turbo 400 trans
    4.10 rear gear

    If anyone else out there has done a similar conversion and has another trans option I should be investigating please let me know.

  2. #2
    34_40's Avatar
    34_40 is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    New Bedford
    Car Year, Make, Model: 34 Ford 3W Coupe Replica
    Posts
    14,606

    I would think that'll be a fine choice. Especially for those "Cursing Nights"... LOL

    I don't see a need for the double disc clutch setup. HTH

  3. #3
    Hotrod46's Avatar
    Hotrod46 is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Vidalia
    Car Year, Make, Model: 1946 Ford Coupe, 1962 Austin Healey 3000
    Posts
    1,496

    Personally, I would look at the TKO 600. With the 4.10 rearend, I wonder if you will really need the 3.27 first gear for occasional towing, unless you have to start on a hill.

    I was told that the first gear set is the only real difference between the 500 and 600. The 3.27 gear set is weaker than the 2.87 set and reduces the overall torque rating of the trans. The 3.27/4.10 combo is going to be like a grandma first gear setup and I wonder just how much everyday use you'll get out of it. Just me thinking out loud.
    cffisher and Sad Dad like this.
    Mike

    I seldom do anything within the scope of logical reason and calculated cost/benefit, etc-
    I'm following my pass​ion

  4. #4
    rspears's Avatar
    rspears is offline CHR Member/Contributor Visit my Photo Gallery
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Gardner, KS
    Car Year, Make, Model: '33 HiBoy Coupe, '32 HiBoy Roadster
    Posts
    10,989

    It's not nearly the same, but in my '33 coupe I looked at the TKO 500, but with my engine putting out 475 foot pounds of torque I opted for the TKO 600 for a bit more cushion. My car's light, but I felt better not being right up against the torque rating. I went with a single disk clutch and haven't seen any issues.
    On your cruise (curse) efficiency, it's going to depend a lot on your torque curve. I've got 4:10 rear gears too, and my cruise is 1995 at 70mph in 5th on 31" tall tires. My torque curve climbs steep from the idle range, rolling over and staying almost flat from 2000 out to 6000rpm, so the OD ratio is a great fit for me.
    My first gear is very short, and I'm not near quick enough for a WOT launch in 1st, grabbing second before hitting the rev limiter. With the 4:10's and tall tires the acceleration is wicked, and the cruise is mellow. Like Mike said, I think you ought to look at the TKO 600 too.
    Roger
    Enjoy the little things in life, and you may look back one day and realize that they were really the BIG things.

Reply To Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Links monetized by VigLink