I really recommend having the trans upgraded for smoother shifting before you go about doing the install. I'm mostly happy with the TKO swap, but the 2-3 shift is godawful. Reverse can be hard to get when the thing is cold, too. You know, backing it out of the garage. :( (Reverse isn't synchronized on the TKOs)

Not too worried about it, should be fine for what I'm going to use the car for. Many of the issues people have with the TKO results from misalignment of the trans. They are very sensitive. I'm sure it will shift better than the old Muncie did before it was rebuilt.

I know guys with huge HP running TKOs in autocross that love em.

We shall see.

Thanks for the tips. By the way, what kind of upgrades are u recommending?

I installed with 0.0015 runout, which is 30% of the max .005. I had to use .014 dowels and also machine the bellhousing straight.

Are these guys hitting 3rd in autocross? Most autocross courses around here rarely top out 2nd let alone touch 3rd.

That said, it could be hit or miss on the trans itself as it comes from Tremec. I am running a ~330 net crank HP 350 that I never spin much past 5500. If I'm on it relatively hard (3/4 throttle or more) shifting 2nd to 3rd is an impossible dream for me. I'm not talking about powershifting or trying to shift as fast as possible, just a controlled, quick shift into third. I do not drag race and I always give the syncros time to do their work. 1st->2nd is never an issue, nor have I had this issue with any other transmission I've driven hard (numerous T56s, TR6060s, TR3650, whatever they put in Boxster/Caymans and a few others). I've only driven 1 car with a TKO, so it could be my trans, but I can't imagine anything we did wrong with the install. We did the bellhousing runout measurements until we were sick of being sick of it. :)

Liberty gear is one of the places that does the upgrades; includes new shift forks, blocker plates and they do some improvements on the internal linkage.

There's some good info here on the problem in a Mustang: http://www.w8ji.com/tko_600_shifting_problems.htm

As a disclaimer, I haven't used Liberty Gear yet so I am not vouching for them. When it comes time to do an engine in the 78 I will likely send my TKO off to be upgraded by them (cheaper now than doing a T56 swap, which I would have done in the first place had I known I was getting myself into this).

Libertys Gears has bought the rights from Kiesler for "Direct Fit" transmissions according to their web site. My TKO600 in my wife's 70 LT-1 roadster shifts fairly well but I guess I'm probably shipping my TKO off to Libertys for upgrades before it installs behind my 72 LS3 project.

Some like them, some don't. I think it all comes down to expectation. Personally, I always felt mine belonged in a farm tractor. But I had a 666 hp big block with an aluminum flywheel that sang to 6800. I found it to be the most troublesome with wheel spin and quick downshifts.

I'm assuming you do a lot of aggressive 2-3 shifts, right? I know you and I wouldn't be surprised. You like your cars and you like using them properly. :)

Can still get a trans from these guys.
http://www.sprakerracing.com/

Hoping that if I need anything fixed on my RS500 that these guys can hook me up?

TKO shifting issues is partially if you don't align the bell housing (alot of people just bolt on and go, but mostly shifting habits.

When I first got my TKO 600, I had the 2-3 shift problem at the drag strip. After thousands of miles later, the problem went away once I got use to it.

The Carbon fiber blocker rings don't do crap. It did not improve my shifting capabilities at all.

I do open palm shifts 2-3. Works in every car I've ever driven except the 78 - and this is like 3/4 throttle shifts, not WOT and quick.

Seems there was more than just carbon blockers done in the Mustang article... some kind of modification to the shift rails as well.

Mine was dialed in and I tried the palm deal. I had to much car for the trans.