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

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

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.

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, 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

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

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 ;)

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

: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

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

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...

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