TruBlu351

G'Day,

Putting in my new Tremec TKO gearbox next week - ahh, an overdrive for my 4.11's! Currently running a toploader in an XD Falcon ~3500lbs.

Looking for advice on what ratio to put in my new 9inch rebuild - in the process of getting this thing into the 11 sec ET's - drag racing in mind.

I was going to keep the 4.11's but the Tremec 1st gear is so low: 3.27 vs toploader 2.78. It will probably launch the front end up with slicks but 1st will be over in a bees fart!

Tremec ratios: 3.27 1.98 1.34 1 0.68
Toploader ratios: 2.78 1.93 1.36 1

Keeping in mind 11 sec ETs get around 110-120mph - here's the MPH info for my car shifting at 6500rpm w/26.5" tyres.

Toploader with 4.11's
1st-45 2nd- 65 3rd-92 4th-125

Tremec with 4.11's
1st-38 2nd-63 3rd-93 4th-125

Tremec with 3.5's
1st-45 2nd-74 3rd-109 4th-146 (and a bloody huge 215mph in 5th!)

So what to do? Will 3.5 or slightly lower ratios hurt my mid to late track acceletration? or will the 4.11's be a waste of time with the tremec 3.27 first gear? or is that a good thing? Hmmm?

Thanks for your advice.
AdrianXD

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XE Falcon
393 Tremec TKO 9"

clevo

What about 3.7 in the rear? Is the Tremec conversion easy? is it a bolt in. I currently have a toploader and want to upgrade to a Tremec.

What were your times with the toploader, should give us more of an idea if you'll get 11's

Paul

TruBlu351

G'Day Cleveo,

My XD is only running 13's at the moment (still only have OC 2V's and mild hydraulic cam).......looking at going alloy 3V's and a big solid cam......just trying to get info off other people who may have 11 sec car using a 4 speed manual.

The tremec conversions aren't too bad. I got a brand new Tremec TKO when I was in the USA - it only cost me US$1350 brand new with a shifter and heavy duty driveshaft yoke (thats AUS$1755 at todays exchange rate!)......dodgy buggers here are charging $3500-4000.

First thing you'll need is a new bellhousing. The bolt pattern is the same as the toploader but the input shafts are slightly longer. Some people machine a bit off the input shaft and use their toploader bellhousing but this voids your warranty........I guess if you buy one second hand it doesn't matter. "Dellow Automotive" in Sydney cast their own alloy bellhousings for tremec conversions - that was $400 and now the box bolts right up - fits my hydraulic clutch and starter motor. There are spacer plates to fix this problem too but warranty doesn't allow them.

I got a TKO which has a 26 spline input shaft so you'll need a new 26 spline clutch disc. The standard tremec 3550's have 10 spline input shafts, same as toploader.

The TKO output shaft is 31 splines and my new yoke is F100 size! It won't fit my XD so I have to get my driveshaft modded once it's fitted. Standard Tremec is 28 spline output shaft. Can't remember what toploader is?

My XD electronic speedo will fit straight in, or mechanical ford if you have one. You'll need a new plastic speedo cog (Dellow's supply them). DON'T use a toploader one - they're OPPOSITE direction splines and will chew out.

Spiggot and clutch release bearings fit straight on....I hope!

And I think thats about it!

Biggest thing I'm looking forward to is the overdrive. It's 0.68 so it will drop a third of the RPM. 3300rpm at 100kph will now be 2200.

Cheers,
AdrianXD

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XE Falcon
393 Tremec TKO 9"

clevo

Sounds great what a great price, I might have a look at the US suppliers and see if I can get one into the country, might have to pay 10% GST but it will still be a lot cheaper.

Is the TKO stronger whats the HP rating that it can handle, as opposed to the standard Tremec? Also the o/d is either .68 or .8 I think did you have an option?

These boxes are excellent for quick 1/4 runs and economy as you can run a lower ratio.

I might stick with the std as there seems to be less mods, hope it will handle to power through it :)

Paul

xdc351

3300rpm at 100kmh with 4.11's?

My 3.5:1 spins about 3200rpm at 100kph, my mates 4.11:1 geared 9" is closer to 4000rpm at 100kph!

What tyers are you running?

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Just like a Tsunami.

TruBlu351

G'Day,

Definitley worth looking at importing it yourself and maybe paying some import duty - I'm sure it will still be cheaper.

The standard Tremec 3550 and TKO have 0.68 overdrive. I believe its the "TKO 2" that has the 0.8 5th gear. Better topend acceleration for road/circuit racing when 200mph with the 0.68 is a little high!

According to my Tremec service manual (2.6 meg PDF file) it says the TR-3550 is good for 350ft/lbs of torque and the TKO can take 375. I've read other places that say the can handle heaps more than this. The TKO is definitely stronger. The TR-3550 was US$100 cheaper so getting the TKO was a done deal. If you're interested in getting a Tremec from the US, I can give you the details of the Mustang/Ford speed shop that I mail ordered mine thru when I was there. Even in the US there's a BIG difference in prices people charge for them. Out of about ten suppliers I called the cheapest TKO was US$1350, others were ~US$1600. The 3550 is still a strong box though.

My XD is running BIG 295/50x15's. When I put my cheescutter 205/50x15's on I can feel a huge difference in RPM for the same speed. That's a 26.6" diameter vs 23.1. You can see my car pics in the Gallery under TruBlu351 user name.

Here's a cool driveline/tyre size calculation website.
http://www.chrismans.com/Calculators.html

Cheers,
AdrianXD

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XE Falcon
393 Tremec TKO 9"

Aaron_EF8

TruBly351 - could you please post a few of the US sites up that sell the TKO box?? I'm looking into a manual conversion soon, and if a TKO is that cheap, then I might get one.

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95 EF Fairmont 5.0 - Heritage Green - 4 Speed auto with AU S5 - 3.23LSD - 17x8" LWT Wheels - King Superlows - 76mm Cobra MAF - 65mm throttle - BPT Underdrive Pulley Kit - 3" Mandrel-bent Lukey exhaust - Tinted Windows - MP3 CD player - White faced dials.

117rwKw - 15.47@89.9MPH

clevo

Found this link. It has info on the Tremec and other boxes, but no US suppliers

http://www.ttcautomotive.com

WBT56

Love to know who you are getting your warranty advice off. All Wrong. Your box has no warranty in this country. Get back to me when it vibrates in third gear with the setup you are running.

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If you're not driving a manual you're really just steering.

turbotrana

WBT56, please elaborate on that problem.

TruBlue351, could you please advise exactly where you got that box from cause I'll be passing thru California and was looking at getting a TKO. It should be no problem taking it on the plane on the way back. Is the TKOII much more expensive