TKO Shifting Problems

[erlihemi]

I still see a lot of bad comments on the 2-3 shifting problems with TKO's on various forums. Some 5-4 problems mentioned on this forum. Is this simply a tri-ax shifter fix or does it take the Liberty synchros to conquer this?? I find it hard to believe a bad tranny can stay on the market this long with shifting problems. I'm aware of all the bellhousing alignment and various clutch issues that can arise. I need to know if its really rails or synchros that are Tremec issues. Anyone have a long tearful TKO story?

[CDXXVII]

My understanding is that if you expect it to shift like a Miata you will be disappointed.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oRyrXNHYbf0


And if you want to spend more money at Liberty's Gears

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gmouQUaAANA

[Jester]

Great trans! No complaints here.

I have a tko600 with over 6000 mi on it - installed new in 2012. The trans required some run time to loosen up as initially it was a little stiff - but very solid and shifts great (you need to shift like you mean it).

[erlihemi]

Thanks guys! I was already eyeballing the face plate option. Anyone running upgraded shifters or face plates? I can shift like I mean it and drive it like I stole it!!

[Tim Whittaker]

Both TKO 600's I have used in builds take some time to loosen up as mentioned. Some have reported different results with different fluids used. I use GM Synchromesh and it seems to work well.

[first time builder]

If you do a search you will find plenty of pros and cons. We had ours redone by Liberty and now shifts like it should, we had the whole package done, but probably could have just done the rails.
Give Liberty a call.

Kenny

[erlihemi]

I was talked out of the faceplate option for this application by guys who have run both. For this I'm going with the carbon fiber, modified internal forks and rails, and the pro 5.0 shifter. I'll find out in the spring how it works...

[mcwho]

oN THE lIBERTY SITE THEY TALK ABOUT A PROCESS CALLED FACEPLATING. mAKES IT EASIER TO SHIFT AT SPEED.

[JEMAN]

my tko600 loosened up a little bit after some miles were put on it but it is def a notcher shifter and requires a little bit more pressure. i had a shifter on it and never had problems shifting it or missing gears. it did take some time to get use to it compared to a looser and cheaper transmission like regular everyday cars have in them

[Tony Zullo]

I had one problem with ours it went into 3rd and 5th at the same time !! not good had to take the tunnel of and take the plate off the tranny to manually take it out of gear..i guess it's pretty common..besides that we beat on it all the time it's great!!!

[mcwho]

How much does a transmission shop charge fpr this FACEPLATING ?

[erlihemi]

gotta be careful with the face plating option. This requires an acquired skill to shift and you can really break stuff if you fight vs. finesse it. Finesse is different than soft shifting. Once learned you can shift clutchless, however, down shifting into a curve can be problematic. In the old days we just ground off every other synchro tooth and stiffened the shifter up. Faceplating is for specific applications. You can find plenty of you tube videos and talk to liberty and others about your application. My experience is with diesels so I didn't feel like matching engine speed, gears, and road speed on down shifts. With face plating you may get it in the next gear fast, but that doesn't mean the driveshaft will stay in the tunnel!!

[edwardb]

Liberty's Performance is local for me, so I had a chance to visit their shop and talk to them about the TKO600 for my Mk4 build. First of all, impressive shop and nice people. I explained I had a T-5 in my Mk3, and going to a TKO in my Mk4 I had heard about how they didn't shift as smoothly or easily. They said their syncro upgrade would give me just want I wanted. They also said it would take some time to break in, and also strongly recommended to only use genuine GM Syncromesh fluid. We talked briefly about faceplating, but this is for specific high performance and no-clutch shifting applications, and they didn't recommend for a street cruiser like mine. Took delivery on the modified TKO600 a few weeks later. I'm not on the road yet, but brief gokarts and it shifts fine. But I'll really only know next spring when it's on the road for real.