My new TKO-600 works fine but seems a bit noisier than my old TKO (bit more gear whine). Has anyone else noticed this with their TKO-600? I like the 1st gear 2.87 ratio alot better than the old 3.27. Matches the torque of my 455 much better. And the shifter is great, makes for a fun drive along the beach.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/412000-412999/412680_55_full.jpg

Mine's real quiet...still sitting in the box, waiting for the 396 to be finished.

Seriously, I'll be anxious to see the replies to this. I have the same "Road Race" version 600, because I liked the ratios better (3.27 seemed like a granny gear when coupled on the rear ratio you'd have to run to use a .64 5th). When I hear "Road Race", it makes me wonder if it will be like an M-22. Hate to have to blanket the tranny to cut noise.

I even installed high density foam under the console and shifter boot to muffle the sound and I can still hear more than I expected. At least I know its stronger.

I too have a new TKO 600 un-installed as of yet, are the gears straight cut in the 600? Also are you running the GM syncromesh for break in or ATF? Did you do the break with wheels up and run through the gears etc? SS

Originally posted by Sporter:
My new TKO-600 works fine but seems a bit noisier than my old TKO (bit more gear whine). Has anyone else noticed this with their TKO-600? I like the 1st gear 2.87 ratio alot better than the old 3.27. Matches the torque of my 455 much better. And the shifter is great, makes for a fun drive along the beach.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/412000-412999/412680_55_full.jpg Since I didn't sell my other TKO-600 at Super Chevy this weekend, I went ahead and sold my current GM TKO, and will be making the swap soon. I'll let you know if I get any noise differences. I've not heard anyone else mention it being noisier, but then few have swapped from an older TKO....

Mike

Sporter, I installed my TKO-600 2 weeks ago.
200+ miles, and it's quieter than my older GM TKO was, and a bit smoother.

It's not unusual for these trannies to be considered noisy though.

Mike

Mike, Is that offset shifter part ready for the 600 yet?

John

John-
The Tremec 2" offsets (if those are the shifters you are referring to) are starting to come out. There are a few vendors that have them in stock. As of today, I am not one of those vendors that has them but we, and the remainder of the vendors, should have them soon.
I will have one in my possession in 2 days which will be used as my display- if you have questions about it feel free to contact me.

Jeff, Yes, that's what I'm referring too. I have a factory console in my '67 and the Tremec guys at the Super Chevy Show told me I'd need this to fit the stock console's opening. Is this your understanding of what it's for?

John

John-
All of the first gen Camaro customers of mine have been using the standard shifter that comes with the transmission. The best position for Camaros (first and second gen) is the 16.75" centered position (not offset).
The 64-67 Chevelles, 62-72 Novas, and Corvettes are 2" offset.
I hope this helps.

I didn't mean to hijack this thread... But with the old TKO, Fortes had developed a custom shifter to help with the install with a console. Otherwise, it wouldn't fit the opening and you'd have to move the console over and down. That's what I thought the Tremec offset shifter was for. Are you sure these installs with the std. shifter are going into factory '67 consoles? Do you have any pics?

John

John-
Don't feel that you are hijacking the thread - you are bringing up good questions and making me think this through a little deeper. I do not have any pics of installs specificlly into a '67 Camaro with a console. I will work on getting some for you.
You are correct in saying that Fortes and Tremec are making the 2" offset shifter for applications that require a 2" offset location. The undisputed 2" offset shifter cars are the 64-67 Chevelles/GTO's/ LeMans with consoles, the Corvettes, and the Novas with consoles.
The second gen Camaro's, I believe are best off with the center position (I did my 70 Camaro and am happy with it, although it slightly off center toward the right side - a 1" offset would have been perfect for me).
As I look at a pictures of a 67, 68, & 69 manual console shift plate in my Classic Industries catalog (pages 96-97) the shifter opening is offset to the left so you may be corrcet about the offset shifter working better. I also noticed that the automatic console shift plate for the 68 & 69 years seems to be centered which would lead me to believe that the centered shifter would work best if you decided to simply use the automatic shift plate instead (just a thought).
Until I see each year Camaro with a console and this transmission installed, I won't know for sure what combo works the best. What I can say, is that everyone seems to do this a little differently because everyones car is slightly different. If you think a 2" offset would work best for your situation, then by all means go for it.
I'll try to round up some pictures.

We just finished off putting the tko 600 in my buddy's 67 camaro with a console. I modified the shifter a bit , we cut it and made it shorter by about 3/4 of an inch and moved it over to the drivers side about 1/2 an inch , just so it would fit in where the stock shifter was . His console has a plastic piece that fits in the shifter plate and is moved by the shifter itself and we wanted it to stay that way . The only problem we seem to have is a bit of a vibration at around 60 and up , we are going to check the driveline angles tomorow and see if we can find it .
Mark .

Originally posted by John Doyle:
Mike, Is that offset shifter part ready for the 600 yet?

John Jeff is correct in what he writes. I've never even sold a 2" offset to a Camaro customer, and Camaros make up 45% of my sales.

The TTC 2" offset shifter won't help any in terms of shifter opening trimming. It's the same shifter as the centered, only with a bent shifter stub.

Forte's 2" offset shifter is supposed to allow zero trimming of the shifter opening. I only say "supposed to" because I won't gurantee you won't have to trim a little (results will vary as not all cars are created equal).

As for Forte's shifter, we get them in from the machine shop in very limited quantities, and thus can't keep them in stock.

Hope that helps a bit more.
Mike

Mark,

I didn't think anybody kept the old sliding POS plastic piece in their console top shifter hole..

pdq67

I think the slider piece looks good in it fills in the space , and why remove pieces if you don't have to . I like doing a trany swap and making the job look like it was never touched .
Mark .

Does anybody have any new TKO 600 installation pics yet. Love to see them if you gottem. Especially shifter hole and cross member pics.
Thanks
Jim

I broke the slider thing banging gears three weeks into owning my car...