Tremec TKO 600

malihoochie

Dragway Regular
May 28, 2004
875
0
0
michigan(detroit area)
:D I swapped my 7.5" rear for a 8.5" and deliberately kept the 3.42's 'cuz I figured that way I'd actually have a first gear. And w/ the way the car ran on the top end before (w/ aTH350 & 3.73's), I can't wait to feel the thing pull on the freeway now. MD - are you instantly shifting outta first w/ the 4.10's? what height rear tire do you have?

I drilled a hole in my floor w/ a 4" holesaw for the tower of the trans to come through, and then had to trim a little bit more to one side, despite my many measurements so I wouldn't have to cut more than once. :roll:
All in all my install is going well - but the Steeda Tri-Ax shifter stick & handle I chose to go with is rather short. That shifter handle is made for a Mustang and ends up nearly at the corner of my seat. It is not horrid in position but not ideal either. I'll make do for a while & if I dislike it another taller stick will get swapped in.

I also discovered that I must run a remote oil filter set up with the block plate/oil pan/headers I have. I got some Moroso relocating parts today & I'll keep you posted as I continue my quest for overdrive....
 

Meat Drapes

Dragway Regular
Thread starter
Mar 26, 2005
1,193
9
38
Stoutland, MO
The TKO 600 1st gear is much better then the old saginaw. I do not shift right away as I did before. With the saginaw I could also leave in 2nd... I tried the other day with the Tremec. If I really push it I could do it but I would have to ride the clutch. I am truly impressed with the way it pulls through the first three gears. I have yet to get after it in 4th because after three I am going pretty fast.
I have a problem with the oil filter too. I had to use some serious muscle to move my headers over just enough to get the filter past the collector and the oil pan into position. I can live with it for now.
Other then my crossmember my only problem that bugs me is that when I drive in 5th gear at about 1700 rpm my engine feels like it is really stumbling. If I add just the tiniest bit of throttle it chokes and sputters then catches and takes off after a few seconds. My tuning skills need help.
 

Meat Drapes

Dragway Regular
Thread starter
Mar 26, 2005
1,193
9
38
Stoutland, MO
I am going to extend the driverside frame and use a later year crossmember that Keisler already has developed and in stock. I cannot wait anymore for them. I ordered the extension from G-Force crossmembers and Keisler is shipping me the later model g-body xmember next week.
Keisler says it has not been tried...all the more reason for me to go for it.
Perhaps once I am successful Keisler can just issue the frame extension to those that are in my situation. I will take pictures and post them. Give me two weeks or so.
 

malihoochie

Dragway Regular
May 28, 2004
875
0
0
michigan(detroit area)
What did they use in that Car Craft article where they put their kit in a G-body? They sound like real brilliant fellas ( [-X ) to me.
 

Meat Drapes

Dragway Regular
Thread starter
Mar 26, 2005
1,193
9
38
Stoutland, MO
The article used an El Camino... maybe 1984? That g-body has the longer frame rail on the driver side.
Malahoochie : Have you driven your car with the tremec in it yet? I have noticed in mine that the shift from second to third bumps the gears ever so slightly on occasion. I called Keisler about it and they stated that Tremec-TKOs are coming from the factory like that and that I am not the first to complain about it. When you drive it next... look for this and let me know.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
I just read this thread for the first time tonight. Good read fellas, lotsa info! =D>
 

malihoochie

Dragway Regular
May 28, 2004
875
0
0
michigan(detroit area)
I have not driven my car yet (although there might have been a few imagined powershifts), I still have my cylinder heads off the car. :cry: Soon though, soon.
 

RKHiPerformance

Amateur Racer
Have you driven your car with the tremec in it yet? I have noticed in mine that the shift from second to third bumps the gears ever so slightly on occasion. I called Keisler about it and they stated that Tremec-TKOs are coming from the factory like that and that I am not the first to complain about it.

Are you saying the transmission grinds on the 2-3 change? Is that under heavy throttle or when driving normally?
Does it seem worse when the trans is cold?
 

El Coolmino

Top Fueler
May 11, 2005
2,505
0
0
DSM IA under a green truck
Meat Drapes said:
I have noticed in mine that the shift from second to third bumps the gears ever so slightly on occasion. I called Keisler about it and they stated that Tremec-TKOs are coming from the factory like that and that I am not the first to complain about it. When you drive it next... look for this and let me know.

Hmmm, I thought that was my sh*tty shifting skills. Wow do I feel better. It's going away, but it's partially because I learned that you just gotta bang 3rd. Shift it lightly, it can snag. Shift it crisply, and it responds. But every 30th slow, lazy 2-3 it's like you hit another gear right as it enters the gate to 3rd. Grriiiind

Personally, I don't like the big 1-2 gear spread for daily driving. Kinda makes it shift a little dump trucky IMO. I'm so far from being able to use first gear WOT that I'd honestly rather have a taller first, so the 1-2 was a little closer. But will admit the low first is nice in parking lots, cause it's unstallable at walking speeds.

15K miles later, I can even powershift 5th reliably, but a WOT 1-2 still ends horribly sometimes. :oops: Hope you guys are better.

Oh, and love my 3.50s malihoochie. I think your blown setup will respond really nicely to the gear spreads you'll end up with. Neat car.

Meat, how bout a whole car pic?

Good Luck!
 

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