Trying to decide between the T56 Magnum or TKO600 - Lateral-g Forums

rogue · #1 08-04-2009, 03:56 PM

Motor is a zz502 that will eventually end up being around 670ft/lbs or torque. Car spends the majority of its time at HPDE events and the occasional road trip. I'm looking for the extra fuel economy and more speed.

Just got off the phone with Classic 5 speeds.

The guy told me to go with the T-56 Magnum 6 speed i would need the following:
T-56 Magnum 6speed $3645
Aluminum Scattershield $485
Hydraulic Clutch Kit $545

Total $4675

Or he recommended I just go with the TKO600 5 speed for $2895 and it uses all my existing bell housing and clutch linkage...

TKO600 would be at 2500rpm @ 80mph top speed 190mph
T-56 would be at 2000rpm @ 80mph top speed 240mph

So I guess the real question is, is it worth an extra 2k to do 240mph and where the hell would I ever get to go that fast. Not even Cal Speedway. Only place would be time trials events.

Seems like the TKO600 is the smart choice?

XLexusTech · #2 08-04-2009, 04:04 PM

well do a Search for TKO and leak. That should give you somthing to think about. form what i have read when properly allighned they have a great reputation. However search around the net for leaking and vibration issues. Then contact the OP pf those issues and see what they resolved to. I dont pretend to know squat about them from experience.

Although I agree thats alot of gear it is a great option to be able to cruise at 2000 rpm at 75 getting 20 + mpg.

Vegas69 · #3 08-04-2009, 04:05 PM

Two hundred and forty. LOL Your not driving a Bugati. As much as you race your car, the road race version of the tko 600 could be a good choice. 4th gets me to about 125 and then it's a drop from 1:1 to .64 od. Not ideal to pull top speed. That's the beauty of the 6 speed. It's basically the road race version of the 600 with one more gear for OD. I'm not interested in going a whole lot faster than 125 anyway. So the regular version works fine for me.

rogue · #4 08-04-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Two hundred and forty. LOL Your not driving a Bugati. As much as you race your car, the road race version of the tko 600 could be a good choice. 4th gets me to about 125 and then it's a drop from 1:1 to .64 od. Not ideal to pull top speed. That's the beauty of the 6 speed. It's basically the road race version of the 600 with one more gear for OD. I'm not interested in going a whole lot faster than 125 anyway. So the regular version works fine for me.

Bugati's aren't as much fun

So basically you're saying the 5th year is too much of a freeway flyer gear to be of any use on a road course. Say Autoclub Speedway. The upshift from 4th-5th would only be in 5th gear for about 10 seconds. Is that wasted time without the road racing version?

I'm a bit confused between the 2 versions. Is one better suited to Road Racing and the other for highway crusing?

rogue · #5 08-04-2009, 04:17 PM

Hmmm. The road racing version of the TKO600 with the .82 would only get me to around 150mph, whereas the normal one would be 190

I think I'll take the normal one.

Vegas69 · #6 08-04-2009, 04:21 PM

Yep, 150 is about it on the road race at 6k. I guess the .64 would be better for top speed but you will be disappointed with your shift from 4-5 on a road course, I can guarantee you that. Just put a bigger cam in it and turn it to 6500 and you have your 135 you need in 4th. How often do you plan to take that 40 year old car over 150?

rogue · #7 08-04-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Yep, 150 is about it on the road race at 6k. I guess the .64 would be better for top speed but you will be disappointed with your shift from 4-5 on a road course, I can guarantee you that. Just put a bigger cam in it and turn it to 6500 and you have your 135 you need in 4th. How often do you plan to take that 40 year old car over 150?

Interesting. Thanks for the info. The cost increase to go with the T-56 is pretty insane. Almost double of the TKO-600. I think that $2k would be better saved for a full cage before anything else.

I think you'd be surprised how often both of our cars will spend at the top of the gears on the faster courses out there. At Cal speedway I was pinning the rev limiter at 6k at 125mph or so the entire main straight and into turn 1/2. All that power, lack of gears!

For my families sake maybe its best I avoid the T-56.

**Steve1968LS2** · #8 08-04-2009, 04:46 PM

One word.. MAGNUM

It's jast a far superior transmission. I've shifted both and the Magnum is far smoother and far more precise. Now that they've fixed the 5th and 6th ratios a six speed makes way more sense than it once did.

About the only upside to the TKO is that it's cheaper...

In a month you can come row though the shifter on Penny (when she's back here).

If you question is "which trans is superior" then the answer if the Magnum.. if your question is "which transmission is less money" then the answer is TKO600.

**Steve1968LS2** · #9 08-04-2009, 04:47 PM

I can sell you a regular T56 (f-body style) for a $1000 if you really want to save money.. just don't launch TOO hard with that big block. lol

rogue · #10 08-04-2009, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

One word.. MAGNUM

It's jast a far superior transmission. I've shifted both and the Magnum is far smoother and far more precise. Now that they've fixed the 5th and 6th ratios a six speed makes way more sense than it once did.

About the only upside to the TKO is that it's cheaper...

In a month you can come row though the shifter on Penny (when she's back here).

If you question is "which trans is superior" then the answer if the Magnum.. if your question is "which transmission is less money" then the answer is TKO600.

Thanks for the input. Yeah I'll have to weigh out the pricing. I have other priorities with the build that need to happen. Cage power steering etc. Might have to skimp on the 6 speed for now.