Tremec TKO 500 and TKO 600 Transmission

There are few different combinations of the TKO available. First of all, there are two models, the TKO-500 and the TKO-600. The TKO-500 is a wide-ratio transmission, which means it has a low first gear and there is a relatively wide ratio gap from gear to gear. The TKO-600 is a close-ratio transmission, which means that it does not have as low of a first gear, but there is less of a ratio change from gear to gear. There is also an optional version of the TKO-600 with less overdrive than the first one. The ratios are as follows, listed starting with first gear and going up through fifth:

TKO-500: 3.27:1, 1.97:1, 1.34:1, 1.00:1, 0.68:1, 3.00:1 reverse
TKO-600: 2.87:1, 1.89:1, 1.28:1, 1.00:1, 0.64:1, 2.56:1 reverse (0.82:1 optional fifth gear)

Though both versions are made with the same materials and have the same center distance between the shafts, the TKO-500 is rated for 500 lb.-ft. continuous power output and the TKO-600 is rated for 600 lb.-ft. due to the higher (lower numerically) first gear ratio. Externally they are identical and can only be distinguished from each other by the number on the ID tag. They weigh approximately 105 pounds. The case is 24.07 inches long overall, and the crossmember mount pad is located at 15.8 inches back from the front of the main case.

The Ford TKO-500 can be had with:

1.) a Ford 10-spline long input shaft
2.) a hybrid long input shaft that takes the stronger GM pattern 26-spline clutch disc but has the correct pilot diameter for a Ford pilot bearing
3.) an optional short 10-spline Ford input shaft (sold separately)
4.) an optional hybrid short input shaft that takes the stronger GM pattern 26-spline clutch disc but has the correct pilot diameter for a Ford pilot bearing (sold separately)

The short input shafts are for older Ford engines that use a shallow bellhousing (6.3" - 6.5"). The long input shafts are for later model engines that use the deeper (6.9") bellhousing.

The Ford TKO-600 is only available with a hybrid (long or short) input shaft that takes the stronger GM pattern 26-spline clutch disc but has the correct pilot diameter for a Ford pilot bearing.

All TKOs have a Ford 31-spline output shaft for strength. Speaking of strength, both versions of the TKO are reported to be severely underrated on their torque capacities. There are a large number of cars out there that are driven hard, running TKOs behind engines that make significantly more power than the transmissions are rated for, and it is unusual for one to break.

The TKO is a super-strong overdrive transmission that can be made to fit into almost any muscle car or street rod, and can be mated up to almost any popular domestic V8, V6, or I6 engine. For more information about the Tremec TKO, take a look at my other articles in this series

Tremec is an acronym, standing for “Transmissions and Mechanical Engineering”. Tremec first gained popularity in the early 90’s when Fox-body Mustang enthusiasts began breaking their T-5 transmissions in the pursuit of high power and a popular swap was the TR-3550

As Fox-bodies surged in popularity thanks to their low cost of purchase and modification, so did the line and popularity of the Tremec transmission upgrade. According to Nate Tovey of Tremec, "Tremec offers a line of five and six-speed manual transmissions for most every application, and since they are so easily adaptable, our transmissions have also become popular with the muscle car and resto-mod crowd, too."

Tremec is a long-time player in the transmission game, having been in business since 1964, the very beginning of the muscle car movement. ""Tremec transmissions also found their way into many performance production cars today. The T-56 six-speed can be found in Vipers, ‘Vettes, Shelbys, and even the outgoing Pontiac G8 GXP."

You can view our Engine / Transmission Packages going to this link