[64speed]

From day one my TKO600 had the faulty synchros. Because of my early engine failure my warranty ran out before I was sure what was wrong and was able to make a claim. The trans shifts and drives fine you just have to let the roms drop between shifts to a low level. I bought the rebuild kit with the carbon lined synchros and other “shift improvement” pieces. After watching the tutorial video I feel I would rather pay a trans shop to do it. I have a trans shop here that will do it for 600 bucks if I take it out and take it to them. My dilemma is if I could sell my trans with kit for around 1800 then I’d only have 1000 in it. It’s worth it to me to be out another 400 of the trans is that much better. Tell me your thoughts.

[Formulajones]

My thoughts, probably going to be difficult to sell a used tko for $1800. For one they are not easy to ship so local pickup is your best bet. Second, $1800 isn't that far away from a new tkx making many people look past the sale..

Ive fixed these before. The updated synchros are $100 and it's a simple swap. I have them out of the car, swapped synchros, and back in, in a days time.

If your not sure you're up to it find a car friend to help. 2 can tackle the job fairly quickly. The only odd tool you need is a large heavy duty pair of snap ring plyers.

Your simplest, cheapest solution is to just fix what ya got. If you already have the synchros just dive in and get er done.

[grivera]

FWIW, I replaced the synchro rings in a TKO600 with no prior experience working on a manual trans but do have ample experience turning wrenches. After taking the trans down, and becoming acquainted with the components, the actual replacement of the parts was pretty fast - take note of the orientation of the synchro retention springs. On reassembly, clean gasket surfaces really well and use a good sealer - Ultra Gray or an anaerobic sealer. If Ultra Gray - let it cure for a long time. FWIW, I didn't need snap ring pliers when I did mine. The below rebuild video is fantastic.

GearboxVideo: https://youtu.be/8YBeFZzv83Y

[64speed]

Ok if we take the price hit out of the equation is the TKX that much smoother/nicer/better to justify the hit? Also I drive this car everyday so if I could just in and out that would be great but it’s not a necessity. Formulajones made some really good points. I guess my main concern is if all I have read about the TKX being so much better is true is it worth the penalty?

[grivera]

I’m sure Larry can advise the difference - or ask MidnightAuto if he thinks it’s a significant upgrade: https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...0+shift&page=2

[scott70]

I don’t have thousands of miles on my tkx but I really like it. Just as smooth as the original muncie and surprisingly I can shift it just as fast or faster than the muncie/ hurst comp shifter. Is the length the same as a tko?

[64speed]

Originally Posted by scott70

I don’t have thousands of miles on my tkx but I really like it. Just as smooth as the original muncie and surprisingly I can shift it just as fast or faster than the muncie/ hurst comp shifter. Is the length the same as a tko?

It is a direct swap

[Formulajones]

The tkx is nice no question, they addressed some of the hurdles the tko had. Unfortunately the tkx downfall is losing some overdrive I'm not a fan of.

However once the synchros are done on a tko they shift smooth and easy. Keeping in mind it was poor quality synchros that started this issue and thousands were sold this way. Honestly it could happen at any time on any transmission if crap synchros get put into circulation again. I'd just fix what ya got and get back to enjoying it.

[chuckies76ta]

For me in my 76 T/A it was a direct swap. The foot print of the TKX is a bit smaller. As mentioned the TKO600 only really needs the synchros done. I'm not sure it's really that much of an advantage upgrading to the TKX from the TKO in my opinion. The only advantage I've noticed is it seems you can shift to any forward gear you want at any speed and I find less vibration from the shifter handle. I also find that there isn't as much play in the shifting of gears, but that could also be related to the actual shifter base. https://www.moderndriveline.com/prod.../shifters-tkx/

[grivera]

Design comparison here: https://americanpowertrain.com/tko-v...UaAvzUEALw_wcB

[64speed]

Just FYI I will be building the TKO. I called all the major dealers and while the basic trans is right at 3000 the A body specific shifter now bumps the total up to 4100 (lowest estimate I got) so that’s that.

[grivera]

The White Lightning shifter from your TKO600 isn’t adaptable to the TKX?

[64speed]

No it’s not.

[HWYSTR455]

What's the part number(s) for the new synchros?

Do you need to replace any gaskets when doing the synchros?

Mine is fresh in box and know it has the defective ones.


.

[gtorich]

Seems prices are going up on that puppy, i bought mine on july 2022, came out at $3462, but i got the great sst freedom sales which was $346, but i had to pay shipping of $209, so total out the door was $3,325

Great trans, about the best investment i made for the car.

Rich

[64speed]

Besides the faulty synchros the only real complaint I have about the TKO is its noisy. I have heard other people say the same thing and some people say theirs is silent. Anything to look for in the rebuild to help this?

[Formulajones]

Well, what kind of noise? Crunching? Grinding? Bearing?? Or just your typical gear whine?

[Formulajones]

I ask because typical gear whine is a pretty normal thing. Especially performance oriented boxes. The gears in the tko's are larger than miuncies, making them stronger, and the angle of the gears make them noisy or quiet depending on how aggressive they are.


If this is what you hear I think the reason some say they are noisy and some say they are quiet is going to depend on the car and how well insulated it is. In my Camaro I can't hear the tko, in the mustang I can. My Camaro is much better insulated from the factory with its deluxe interior that included more sound deadening material on the floors from the factory. On top of that a factory shift boot and a console sitting on top,, it's just quiet is all I can say.

[64speed]

Man I got enough sound deadener in the car to kill a man. Carpet with jute and a shifter boot but…the hole for the shifter was a butcher job from the last owner. I am gonna close it up while the trans is out. Also Will said Pennzoil is supposed to help so I’ll use it.

[Formulajones]

I've run the Pennzoil syncronmesh in them before. Works fine. I use amsoil now, no real difference that I notice other than Pennzoil is cheaper on the wallet