68/70Vette
Well-known member
I just bought a TKO 600 Friday. I bought it from "Chris" at Keisler. I asked and Chris said the TKO 600 needed a different pilot bearing than the Muncie.
I wasn't happy to hear that. When I installed a ZZ4 into my 68, I installed a new roller pilot bearing. It was difficult to get in. I used an extension (long) socket about the same OD as the pilot bearing I was installing and pounded it in with a mallet. It's going to be a SOB to remove I afraid. Maybe Chris thought I had a stock bronze bearing, and maybe the TKO needs a roller, etc, so maybe I'll be ok after all.
I wanted to buy a TKO 500, but it turns out that the gear ratios of the TKO 600 most perfectly match the stock M-20 Muncie. The 600 is a much stronger tranny (600 ft-lbs), but it's more expensive. The tranny and the complete kit, including a new driveshaft, came to $3499. The TKO 500 has a much lower (numerically higher) first gear, so the TKO 500 would red line me in first gear too quickly. That's why the TKO 600 was recommended and when you look at the gear ratios (below), you can see that the 600 is a natural.
Muncie M-20: 2.52, 1.88, 1.46, 1.00
TKO 600:...... 2.87, 1.89. 1.28. 1.00, 0.64
Keisler quotes a 2 or 3 week shipping delay. They said they have to remove the tail piece and machine it to fit the Vette. Since they have the tail piece off, they also apparently disassemble the tranny and re-assemble it. They said they've had problems with Tremac quality control, so they verify that everything is to-spec before shipping.
ve
With my Muncie I do 3000 rpm at 70 mph. That really sucks the gasoline down.
Now I'm going to be looking at 1920 rpm at 70 mph. Of course, considering the amount I drive the car, I'll never rally make up the $3499. But this will help my 68 survive in a world of high gasoline prices. It's 42 years old and I hope it's still drivable 42 years from now. With the replacement of the tranny, every moving mechanical part in the drive train, with the exception of the tachometer, will be new. My 68 may be drivable 42 years from now, but I don't think I'll be driving the car unless I live to 112 years old.
I wasn't happy to hear that. When I installed a ZZ4 into my 68, I installed a new roller pilot bearing. It was difficult to get in. I used an extension (long) socket about the same OD as the pilot bearing I was installing and pounded it in with a mallet. It's going to be a SOB to remove I afraid. Maybe Chris thought I had a stock bronze bearing, and maybe the TKO needs a roller, etc, so maybe I'll be ok after all.
I wanted to buy a TKO 500, but it turns out that the gear ratios of the TKO 600 most perfectly match the stock M-20 Muncie. The 600 is a much stronger tranny (600 ft-lbs), but it's more expensive. The tranny and the complete kit, including a new driveshaft, came to $3499. The TKO 500 has a much lower (numerically higher) first gear, so the TKO 500 would red line me in first gear too quickly. That's why the TKO 600 was recommended and when you look at the gear ratios (below), you can see that the 600 is a natural.
Muncie M-20: 2.52, 1.88, 1.46, 1.00
TKO 600:...... 2.87, 1.89. 1.28. 1.00, 0.64
Keisler quotes a 2 or 3 week shipping delay. They said they have to remove the tail piece and machine it to fit the Vette. Since they have the tail piece off, they also apparently disassemble the tranny and re-assemble it. They said they've had problems with Tremac quality control, so they verify that everything is to-spec before shipping.
ve
With my Muncie I do 3000 rpm at 70 mph. That really sucks the gasoline down.
Now I'm going to be looking at 1920 rpm at 70 mph. Of course, considering the amount I drive the car, I'll never rally make up the $3499. But this will help my 68 survive in a world of high gasoline prices. It's 42 years old and I hope it's still drivable 42 years from now. With the replacement of the tranny, every moving mechanical part in the drive train, with the exception of the tachometer, will be new. My 68 may be drivable 42 years from now, but I don't think I'll be driving the car unless I live to 112 years old.