TKO 600 Race Use?

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Hnrywho
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Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2010 8:30 pm

TKO 600 Race Use?

#1 Post by Hnrywho » Sat Aug 21, 2010 3:41 pm

I'm new to the site and would just like to know if anyone has any experience racing a TKO 600? I'm curious what kind of power it will or won't hold.

My car is a 68 Camaro with a mild built 396/375 with 12:1 compression. It's been backhalved running ladder bars and coilovers with a Dana 60 rear. I'm running 30-14.50-15 M&H cheater slicks. I'm currently running the "Old School" set up with a old Chrysler hemi 18 spline a833 4-speed with an adapter plate. It's street driven a lot and raced maybe 5 times a year. It's run 7.42 at 93mph in the 1/8th ( that's all we have here). I'd like to have overdrive for the street but I don't want to break anything at the track either (I know you can't have your cake and eat it too). If a TKO 600 won't hold can anyone recommend a 5 speed overdrive that will hold and still be street friendly. I know G-Force makes one that will, but they start at $5000. My budget can't take that. Any information or advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. You guys have a great site.

sc racing
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Re: TKO 600 Race Use?

#2 Post by sc racing » Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:00 am

Ive only done them in street cars, Im sure it will handle the power you have its all about how you shift it. If you get one make sure you get the .64 5th gear the have one with a .82 which is not much of an rpm drop from 4th.
The other way to go is put a tall gear in (like a 3.08 or 3.42) and use a Doug Nash 5 speed which has a low 1st and a 1:1 5th gear

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Hnrywho
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Re: TKO 600 Race Use?

#3 Post by Hnrywho » Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:45 am

Thanks for the info. I was definitely planning on getting the .64 overdrive, the other just didn't seem like enough drop. I won't be power shifting it. Do you think leaving at 6500 will be a problem and do they shift ok at 6500-6800rpm? Sorry so many questions I just don't know that much about them and I don't know anyone running one at the track. I was looking at getting one from Liberty's Gears and have the gears shot peened for a little extra strength. I've always heard it's the flex in the case that gets you though. Thanks again for the input.

sc racing
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Re: TKO 600 Race Use?

#4 Post by sc racing » Sun Aug 22, 2010 3:48 pm

I dont think the rpm should make any difference and its rated for 600ft lbs so as long as your not close to or over 600ft lbs you should be good to go.

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sc68z28
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Re: TKO 600 Race Use?

#5 Post by sc68z28 » Thu Sep 02, 2010 4:13 pm

Hnrywho wrote: Do you think leaving at 6500 will be a problem and do they shift ok at 6500-6800rpm?
Leaving at 6500 rpm, without breaking things, will depend on your clutch tune and weather it dead hooks. What/whos clutch are you using?
Will the Liberty TKO be a face plate style trans? They will shift fine at 6800, I don't know about the syncro-mesh version?? probably not.

---Bill.
68 Camaro, 380ci, Procharger, G-force 5 speed, EFI, 7" 2 disc clutch, best ET 8.69 @159
Best 60' vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OLzx5jBo4w

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Hnrywho
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Re: TKO 600 Race Use?

#6 Post by Hnrywho » Thu Sep 02, 2010 8:50 pm

Thanks for the reply, I'm running a Ram 3000lb static pressure daiphram clutch with a 300 series disc right now. It's not forgiving at all. With about 9lbs of air in the cheater slicks I can get the car to dead hook. I know this uaually = breakage. The TKO will be synchro'd from Liberty's Gears but not face plated. I was looking for it to still be smooth shifting on the street. It's a hard line to walk and still keep things working. I can get slight spin with about 10.5 lbs in the rear tires. I'm not familiar with all the clutch systems available that might help performance as well as possibly being easier on the driveline. Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated.

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sc68z28
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Re: TKO 600 Race Use?

#7 Post by sc68z28 » Thu Sep 02, 2010 9:38 pm

Hnrywho wrote: Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Great thread on adjustable clutch here... http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232952

BTW, welcome to this forum.
Also a stick shift forum with good info for our cars is the UMTR forum here... http://www.umtrnorth.com/
You will need to click on Forums then register to view the forums.

If you can controll breakage with a small amount of wheel spin you should be OK for now at your power level.
But whats that saying? Oh I remember now, "the least expensive thing to break is traction"

---Bill.
68 Camaro, 380ci, Procharger, G-force 5 speed, EFI, 7" 2 disc clutch, best ET 8.69 @159
Best 60' vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OLzx5jBo4w

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Hnrywho
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Re: TKO 600 Race Use?

#8 Post by Hnrywho » Fri Sep 03, 2010 8:12 am

Thanks Bill, that's great information. I really appreciate the help. I agree with you on the the cheapest thing to break is traction. I have a lot to learn about adjustable clutches. Do you think at my power level I would see any benefit in E.T. by going to an adjsutable clutch set? Thanks again for the links, I know it seems like everyone is running automatics I just can't seem to get away from a stick car. Just preference but if I can get it to hold I'd rather stay with the stick.

Killer car by the way :thumb: , looks like you have things dialed in. I'm just looking to get the most out of what I currently have and can afford.

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sc68z28
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Re: TKO 600 Race Use?

#9 Post by sc68z28 » Fri Sep 03, 2010 10:00 pm

Thanks for the kind words, it wasn't easy getting where I'm at now.
I had my share of probs, ck out this thread from 2006 viewtopic.php?f=1&t=715

Right now your ET (7.4) is pretty close to what it should be to your 93 MPH, within a 1/10. So unless you are breaking parts or have a consistancy problem I wouldn't worry about an adjustable yet. A member here, Jim (clutchdude), w/a 67 Camaro 4 speed Jerico has somehow been able to use a non adjustable clutch running 9.80's.

What are your 60's ? Consistant? how's the track you use for prep?

---Bill.

PS, Ya my car must have the 3rd pedal :thumb:
68 Camaro, 380ci, Procharger, G-force 5 speed, EFI, 7" 2 disc clutch, best ET 8.69 @159
Best 60' vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OLzx5jBo4w

clutchdude
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Location: Lancaster CA.

Re: TKO 600 Race Use?

#10 Post by clutchdude » Fri Sep 03, 2010 11:23 pm

Thanks Bill, but i have gone a equivalent of 9.50's since then...1/8 only or 6.06 @ 112mph

Bill is right about something has to give, if it dead hooks....parts will start breaking.
I have had a few driveline parts that looked like Bills. Tire pressure, shock entension and engine rpm is all i have ever had to work with.

Although i have never broke the Jerico?

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Hnrywho
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Re: TKO 600 Race Use?

#11 Post by Hnrywho » Sat Sep 04, 2010 10:26 am

Thanks for the input guys, and Bill the broken parts are pretty ugly. Before I went to the dana I tore the gears out of a moser 12 bolt and decided it was time for something a little different. It's just nice to be able to talk to guys that have been there and can tell you what works without throwing the towel in and going automatic.

My best 60 foot so far is a 1.57 and the track prep here leaves a lot to be desired. The first 60' they prep, but rest of the track well...sucks. Most of the time I'm running 1.64 pretty consistently. Seems like if I go below 9psi it will dead hook and bog the motor down and hurt my e.t. so I try to stay at about 10-10.5 psi.

Both of your cars are awesome, maybe one day in the future I'll be able to make some changes in the power area. Right now though, just looking to make whatever small changes I can to be optimal and get just a little faster. It's good to have a goal and know what's needed to get there though. Thanks again for your input, this is a great site with a lot of knowlegable people that are willing to help each other. I really appreciate it.

clutchdude
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Re: TKO 600 Race Use?

#12 Post by clutchdude » Sat Sep 04, 2010 11:29 am

i also run 10.5 psi

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Hnrywho
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Re: TKO 600 Race Use?

#13 Post by Hnrywho » Sat Sep 04, 2010 1:11 pm

That's good to know Jim, I know every car is different but at least I know I'm somewhere in the right neighborhood. Looks like I just need to put my efforts into finding a little more power. The story of my life. :-)

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