Road race quicker shifting transmission, Blueprint TKO 500 or new T56 Magnum

[Ripped]

Next year's project is to address the clunky downshift characteristics of the TKO 500

I was thinking of the T56 Magnum. I don't really care about the extra 50 lbs, and know there will be significant tunnel mods to get it to be in the right place because of my lowered suspension.

I am also at 600lb/ft of torque with the recent engine change

So trans tunnel mods, change the console, hydraulic internal clutch vs external slave.
Advantages = one more gear and a little closer gear ratios. From what I have been reading much smoother shifting than the stock TKO's


Blueprinting the TKO 500, means I have pretty much the same set up, if I can get it shifting smoother and quicker.
Disadvantages; external slave with shift fork, wider gear separation, one less gear for spirited road driving.
Advantages; no tunnel mods

So have any of you wrestled with this or had your TKO blue printed? What were the results?

Thanks

[Flash68]

Ditch the TKO. So many poor experiences there. Todd tried upgrading his TKO and he was still not happy with his in his 69 Camaro and his 660+ hp alum BBC. That's a decent comparison.

Do the Magnum (proven) I say.

[GregWeld]

I hated the TKO 600 5 speed I put in one of my hot rods. That transmission shifted like a truck. Always kicked myself for not going with the T56

[Ripped]

Ditch the TKO. So many poor experiences there. Todd tried upgrading his TKO and he was still not happy with his in his 69 Camaro and his 660+ hp alum BBC. That's a decent comparison.

Do the Magnum (proven) I say.

Thanks, for your feedback. It is very helpful

I was doing some mapping of the rpm crossover on the close ratio 6 speed magnum. I can see the advantage.

I think tweaking the tko would cost the same net, as selling it and buying a TKO

I also bought the scattershield/bellhousing a few years ago, so parts wise I am 1/3 of the way there already lol

[Sieg]

Close ratio T56 Magnum (optional internal mods) with Hurst Blackjack shifter or a sequential. :thumbsup:

[Ripped]

I hated the TKO 600 5 speed I put in one of my hot rods. That transmission shifted like a truck. Always kicked myself for not going with the T56

Thanks, I am kicking myself as well. I wanted to go with the 6 speed but was talked out of it. The 5 speed is okay, pretty good, reliable, but yeah kind of dwells in the better than the old toploader, truck department ;)

Close ratio T56 Magnum (optional internal mods) with Hurst Blackjack shifter or a sequential. :thumbsup:

Okay I'll have to familiarize myself with the blackjack or sequential shifter

[Vegas69]

:y0!: :D That TKO belongs in a School Bus or Dump Truck. Great technology for about 1954. I put in carbon fiber synchros, new shifter, and set the clutch air gap with a feeler gauge. While it improved it a bit, it still didn't belong in a performance car. It seems to me that some get better boxes than others. That or their expectations vary greatly. Maybe a bit of both.

I've driven two cars with 56 mags and they were both a world better. Short and concise shifts. When I think of the tko, I always think of the bus driver when I was a kid. You know, when he shifts it from the floor all the way to the dash.
:D

[Ripped]

I found a video of the sequential shifter for a T56. Not to sure about the street, but track would be great

https://youtu.be/wCB3IOUuvmY

[JKnight]

It seems to me that some get better boxes than others. That or their expectations vary greatly.
:D

I think it’s mostly this, the expectations part. TKO is better than the M21 that was in my car! But, there’s really no doubt the T56 is more well liked. That said, the TKO works great for my expectations and street usage. Doing it over, would probably go T56. Cost isn’t really THAT different...

[Vegas69]

People tend to defend what they have as well. They want validation. All I know is, you couldn't give me a tko.

Alright, I'm off my soapbox. It never gets old ripping on the old tko. ha

[Air-bender]

It seems that you are also street driving your car which leaves you with the only option which is the t-56. Ask other guys who have tracked their pro-touring (street car) and the t-56 magnum is the way to go. Most any trans will perform on the street but you want or should want it to perform at an optimal level on track. If you only track the car then Hightower or Jericho road race would be your ticket. Lightweight, no or minimal tunnel mods and proven on track winners.
My t56 on the track is awesome and I am always amazed when I look at my tach when I'm cruising in 6th gear at 75mph on the highway.

[GregWeld]

It seems that you are also street driving your car which leaves you with the only option which is the t-56. Ask other guys who have tracked their pro-touring (street car) and the t-56 magnum is the way to go. Most any trans will perform on the street but you want or should want it to perform at an optimal level on track. If you only track the car then Hightower or Jericho road race would be your ticket. Lightweight, no or minimal tunnel mods and proven on track winners.
My t56 on the track is awesome and I am always amazed when I look at my tach when I'm cruising in 6th gear at 75mph on the highway.



I run a JERICO 4 speed in my '65...... great transmissions FOR RACING.... would absolutely suck on the street IMHO.


https://www.jericoperformance.com/

[Flash68]

I drove quite a few miles on the street with a Tex Racing (now G Force) T101A dog ring 4 speed. Same case size as the Muncie so no tunnel mods were needed to replace my crappy M21. Loved it on the street. Drove hundreds of miles with it before engine blew and put me down. Will drive it on the street again! :thumbsup:

YMMV

[Ripped]

Lots of great input on this thread, so thanks guys.

So for sure the T56 magnum, is the transmission of choice. I already have the scattershield, which I ordered a few years ago. I am still wrestling with the OD gear ratios.

I think that I read that you can order a close ratio transmission, with the higher OD ratios. The reason I am looking into this, is a couple of the interior highways here have the high speed limits 120-125 kph cruise, and it is not unusual to see people at a little higher, so 75-85 mph and I'd like to keep it at around 2100-2200 max for a good superhighway cruise (which is where I am now)

If I do this on the close ratio trans, it does kind of kill my top end a little.
I like the super cruise.
The wide ratio trans, actually has a similar gear spacing to the current TKO 500 that I have. If I put a 3.73 diff, then effectively it would give me the same top end and add two gears before my current second gear. kind of nice in stop and go traffic, I think

[Air-bender]

Check out the upgraded Magnum that Bowler offers! You can also see it in Ron Suttons new catalog.

[rixtrix1]

Has anyone tried the Legend tranny yet? Small size, big strength and the gear ratios are better spread, IMO.
I see it's kind of out of production/ problems with delivery...too bad.