Transmission

[Christopher]

Seems I was reading a thread a month or so ago talking about different transmission pros and cons. For the life of me I can't find it anymore. My roadster is going to have a dart 427 in it and as of right now a TKO 600. Not set to receive it until April 2022. Those of you with this transmission are you happy with the shifting and reliability? My roadster is going to be basically a Sunday driver. No track racing. Thank you in advance.

[Indy Shu]

The new TKX transmission replaces the TKO600. New and improved. The other option is a T-56 6 speed.

[cgundermann]

The TKX replaced the TKO 600 and many report it as much improved. I'm going with that in my Daytona Coupe. My MK4 has a G-Force T-5 that's rated at 600 foot pounds and I love that.

Chris

[GTBradley]

If you are actually receiving the TKO 600 and not the TKX I can say that the TKO 600 is obviously very good, just look at how many were installed over the years. It is a bit notchy to shift, but for some strange reason I’m not that interested in a buttery smooth shifting experience in this particular car. I would describe it as strong, dependable and authentic - 5th gear not withstanding.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Seems I was reading a thread a month or so ago talking about different transmission pros and cons. For the life of me I can't find it anymore. My roadster is going to have a dart 427 in it and as of right now a TKO 600. Not set to receive it until April 2022. Those of you with this transmission are you happy with the shifting and reliability? My roadster is going to be basically a Sunday driver. No track racing. Thank you in advance.

Personally have no issues with the TKO. A lot of guys try to force or drag it across the gate instead of letting it do the work. 1/2 shift palm on top of the ball pull straight back. 2/3 shift grip to back left side of the ball push across the gate. You will feel the transmission pull the shifter into gear. 3/4 palm on top pull straight back. 4/5 is same as 2/3. Down shifting is the reverse with hand shifted to the upper right as you pull across the gate.

On RPM limits not really encountered that, have a 7200 shift point.

If you have ever owned GM muscle car with a Muncie M20, M21 or M22 Rock Crusher the TKO-600 shifts the same way.

[facultyofmusic]

something I didn't know when ordering the T56 was how much fatter it was compared to other transmission options. I'm working on my e-brake now and I pretty much have to relocate it out of the side of the transmission tunnel.

[NAZ]

The TKO 600 is a good trans and would work for your stated use. It has a great deal more synchro authority than necessary and that limits its ability to handle rapid shifts at higher RPMs. It also has a gate issue on the 2-3 shift that requires a operator technique to hit 3rd reliably. Most won't even notice but if you want to drag race a TKO you will also want to have some mods done to facilitate quick shifting.

There are several mods that can be done to improve the TKO and eliminate it's weak points. I spent a couple grand having a TKO 600 modified by Liberty Gear to use it for drag racing and it would handle 700 lb ft of engine torque and shift at 8,000 RPM as quick as any conventional manual trans with no gate issues. About the only manual trans quicker to shift than a face plated TKO is a clutchless trans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4KKwny6Q1A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6WA0FTQ4i4

[Avalanche325]

Reliable 2/3 shifting on a TKO is easy. Just push forward with an open palm and you will hit 3rd every single time. Most guys grab a shifter like a gorilla in a thumb up position. With your forearm muscles tight from that gorilla grip, and a push forward, it heads you right towards the money shift. Also don't try to do up over and up like a Muncie 4 speed. Stay loose and you will never miss.

They are a bit notchy, but you can actually run through all 5 gears using only your index finger.

For track use I highly recommend Liberty's Gears upgrades.