Early in the process trans ?

[Jacob]

Have ordered a complete MK4 and want to go with a SBF, but can't decide how much difference besides price is there between a T5Z trans or a TKO 500? Are there any benefits the TKO would have over the TZ5? Was planning on new on either one of them... which one would you go with? Appreciate any input!

[BEAR-AvHistory]

IIFC the T5Z is rate to 330ftlbs of torque & the TKO-500 to 500ftlbs. I have a TKO-600 behind my COYOTE crate engine. Will cover any build I might want to do including supercharging.

The TKO's are the modern equitant of the old GM muscle car era Muncie Rock Crusher 4spds.

[dmoran]

How much torque will your engine put out? My SBF was dynode at 368 lb-ft of torque which pushed me to the TKO and since the price was negligible between the 500 and 600 I went with the TKO-600. That seems to be the most popular choice with this setup and everybody I talked to pushed me in that direction.

[j.miller]

If you are not going to race it and it's under 400 hp I would go with the T5. When they talk about torque ratings they are figuring cars in the 3500-6000 lbs range that can stick the tires to the ground. Our 2500lbs cars just spin the tires if we lean to hard on them so they never have a high torque demand. Ya gotta stick the tires to break stuff...da Bat

[Bob Cowan]

The TKO is a very different transmission. there are some similarities to the T5, but not a lot.

The gear ratios are different. They're also different between the TKO 500 and TKO 600. Take a close look at 1st and 5th, pick the one you like best for your kind of driving.

The T5 has one shifter position. The TKO has many. Again, pick the one you like best.

The TKO is bigger and heavier than the T5. Makes R&R much more difficult. I have to remove the engine to change the clutch (MII).

The T5 shifts like butter. The TKO is kinda notchy; and I like that.

Have you considered a T56? I would love to have one in my car. If I was building now, I'd really try and install a T56.

[cgundermann]

Another option -

I purchased a new G-Force T5 from Jegs and it's rated at twice a standard T5 (600 ft/lbs) because of the shifting feel.

[Blue MK3]

Gordon Levy's super alloy T5 unit is stronger than the stock units and shifts like butter. And much cheaper than the JEG's T5.

[DaleG]

Jacob, put your State location in your signature/avatar.

[Kpt112]

I originally purchased a T5 transmission but decided before it arrived I wanted to move the shifter forward to make it more comfortable to shift. The T5 uses a long old style shifter which (as far as I know) cannot be modified. I ended up with a TKO600, which will handle whatever I throw at it and has a neat mid-shifter kit. Yes it cost more but once I bought a T5 it would be much more expensive to swap it out later, which I would never get to. There are lots of threads about this subject here and the other site for you to consider.

Good Luck

[Jacob]

Would like to edit my profile, but either my account has been disabled or I am so new my account hasn't been activated?

[CraigS]

Don't worry about the shifter angle. It becomes very natural after the first 5 miles.

[canuck1]

A T-5 is the better shifting option (if you prefer smooth, effortless feel), it's lighter, physically smaller and can be converted to mid-shift if shifter position is critical. Like J. Miller pointed out, it's plenty safe for most of us with less than 400 hp, not running slicks at the strip and full on drag racing. If you want to sleep better, Gordon Levy offers a great, upgraded T-5 model that is nearly as durable as the TKO 600. If you prefer to do it yourself, Astro Performance Warehouse can sell you the high strength gear kit to build a very robust T-5.

Sean

[bobl]

I built a T5 with Astro performance gears and an S10 tailshaft for the midshift option. Used a Hurst shifter designed for a Camaro and it works great. I'm sure Levy could build you one that way too. Just one more option.

[David Hodgkins]

Would like to edit my profile, but either my account has been disabled or I am so new my account hasn't been activated?

Fixed.

:)

[Jacob]

Fixed.

:)

Thanks!