TKO-600 in a 70 Charger: How much is a fair install?

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A friend of mine has a really good looking 70 Charger 500 Clone. It's got what were assuming is a 72 Forged Crank, External balance 440.

He has priced out the American Powertrain Kit to go from a 727 Auto to the TKO. It's every bit of $7,000. Coming from an auto car and going to a TKO with a Hydraulic Clutch linkage, how much do you think is a fair price to pay?

Not everyone can take the time to install themselves, and this is one of those instances. I really, really wanted him to go with a Passon 5 speed, but for the moment those are unobtainium.

Any advice? The place we want to do the install is a mopar only shop here in Texas and pointed out the potential problem of the crank not being drilled for a pilot bearing. I'll address that in another thread. I've had a forged crank 440 that was externally balanced, and I never even checked if the crank was drilled.

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I imagine he's in a hurry, but I think he should get on the waiting list for the Passon and wait it out.

For a TKO install - I'd say $2k labor. Motor at the same time, add another $1k. My

Quote:

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A friend of mine has a really good looking 70 Charger 500 Clone. It's got what were assuming is a 72 Forged Crank, External balance 440.

He has priced out the American Powertrain Kit to go from a 727 Auto to the TKO. It's every bit of $7,000. Coming from an auto car and going to a TKO with a Hydraulic Clutch linkage, how much do you think is a fair price to pay?

Not everyone can take the time to install themselves, and this is one of those instances. I really, really wanted him to go with a Passon 5 speed, but for the moment those are unobtainium.

Any advice? The place we want to do the install is a mopar only shop here in Texas and pointed out the potential problem of the crank not being drilled for a pilot bearing. I'll address that in another thread. I've had a forged crank 440 that was externally balanced, and I never even checked if the crank was drilled.

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That's FULL retail,...too high, has he's tried Hurst Drivelines for a TKO quote?...as far as the cast crank, no problem, my 440/6 in my 70 Charger is a cast crank, there's no need for a drilled crank as the pilot shaft is short on the TKO600 and you use the crank register for pilot bearing (roller) retention not the bore....

SST (formerly Keisler) is your other option, but seeing management is "new", and they haven't had any real track record time, good or bad, it's a tough call on going that route, although I have heard a few good reports of customer feedback, but it's small potato stuff, no major purchases, I think everyone is gun shy to make the plunge on a full kit...they are also quoting full retail...which IMHO I wouldn't pay...



As far as installation, for a seasoned professional, Auto removal, pedal swap, floor hump (use a factory 4spd hump!) tranny install, odds and ends,... 6-8 hrs, I've done this TKO install many times, IMHO if your paying more than a G note for installation, your paying too much


Mike

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I just received a new quote from American powertrain $5,500 shipped with a discount.

They also said 20-30 hours on install with the hydraulic clutch.

Much better.

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$5500 isn't too bad, that should included EVERYTHING, pedals/linkage/heim ends, master cyl.TOB, bell, clutch disc, flywheel, pilot bearing, disc cover, bell cover, tranny, shifter (repro Mopar factory style) all rubber boots, hyd resv. lines, speedo cable, comlete assembled drive shaft/high speed balance, tranny mount, tranny crossmember, reverse wire harness, tranny fluid (sycromesh), all the hardware fastners and SHIPPING for that price

20-30 hrs for a first time installation?



I'd recommend you use a factory 4 spd hump as it will offer a better appearance and more importantly clearance than the sheetmetal hump supplied by most of the TKO swap kits/mfg's, the TKO puts out a lot of heat in prolonged OD mode, esp at high speeds,...Dyna mat the floor and hump after install, best to do a trial mock up with just the bell/tranny/crossmember to confirm driveline angle, measure the driveline angle of the Auto before removal as a reference point, IMHO I'd cut the floor open for the 4 spd hump, do a mock up of the bell/tranny/cross member...trim the floor accordingly, and or tranny case if needed, install the hump after you've done the mock up and made any floor/tranny mods,... the TKO, depending on how much APT currently trims the case?, may have useless mounting bosses or tabs/ears not needed that interfere with the floor, the TKO is a very tall case, your best to remove the shift tower from the tranny before install (only 2 bolts) make sure the tranny is in neutral during removal and install of the shift tower, the shift tower is easy to mistakenly install 180 degrees, rule to remember is the flat of the shifter nub where the shift handle bolts onto, faces the drivers side...


FYI...make sure to state that you need an EXTERNALLY BALANCED FLYWHEEL for your 440 application when ordering, if that's the case

And should there be any issues/questions talk to Gray at APT for Mopar related questions/problems


Mike

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Quote:

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A friend of mine has a really good looking 70 Charger 500 Clone. It's got what were assuming is a 72 Forged Crank, External balance 440.

He has priced out the American Powertrain Kit to go from a 727 Auto to the TKO. It's every bit of $7,000. Coming from an auto car and going to a TKO with a Hydraulic Clutch linkage, how much do you think is a fair price to pay?

Not everyone can take the time to install themselves, and this is one of those instances. I really, really wanted him to go with a Passon 5 speed, but for the moment those are unobtainium.

Any advice? The place we want to do the install is a mopar only shop here in Texas and pointed out the potential problem of the crank not being drilled for a pilot bearing. I'll address that in another thread. I've had a forged crank 440 that was externally balanced, and I never even checked if the crank was drilled.

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That's FULL retail,...too high, has he's tried Hurst Drivelines for a TKO quote?...as far as the cast crank, no problem, my 440/6 in my 70 Charger is a cast crank, there's no need for a drilled crank as the pilot shaft is short on the TKO600 and you use the crank register for pilot bearing (roller) retention not the bore....

SST (formerly Keisler) is your other option, but seeing management is "new", and they haven't had any real track record time, good or bad, it's a tough call on going that route, although I have heard a few good reports of customer feedback, but it's small potato stuff, no major purchases, I think everyone is gun shy to make the plunge on a full kit...they are also quoting full retail...which IMHO I wouldn't pay...



As far as installation, for a seasoned professional, Auto removal, pedal swap, floor hump (use a factory 4spd hump!) tranny install, odds and ends,... 6-8 hrs, I've done this TKO install many times, IMHO if your paying more than a G note for installation, your paying too much


Mike

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Hey Mike, thanks for mentioning us. Silver Sport Transmissions is new but the product and staff's experience are not.

I can match that price and we have everything in stock. I have attached a photo of the B body TKO for reference.

Jeff Kauffman

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A friend of mine has a really good looking 70 Charger 500 Clone. It's got what were assuming is a 72 Forged Crank, External balance 440.

He has priced out the American Powertrain Kit to go from a 727 Auto to the TKO. It's every bit of $7,000. Coming from an auto car and going to a TKO with a Hydraulic Clutch linkage, how much do you think is a fair price to pay?

Not everyone can take the time to install themselves, and this is one of those instances. I really, really wanted him to go with a Passon 5 speed, but for the moment those are unobtainium.

Any advice? The place we want to do the install is a mopar only shop here in Texas and pointed out the potential problem of the crank not being drilled for a pilot bearing. I'll address that in another thread. I've had a forged crank 440 that was externally balanced, and I never even checked if the crank was drilled.

---

That's FULL retail,...too high, has he's tried Hurst Drivelines for a TKO quote?...as far as the cast crank, no problem, my 440/6 in my 70 Charger is a cast crank, there's no need for a drilled crank as the pilot shaft is short on the TKO600 and you use the crank register for pilot bearing (roller) retention not the bore....

SST (formerly Keisler) is your other option, but seeing management is "new", and they haven't had any real track record time, good or bad, it's a tough call on going that route, although I have heard a few good reports of customer feedback, but it's small potato stuff, no major purchases, I think everyone is gun shy to make the plunge on a full kit...they are also quoting full retail...which IMHO I wouldn't pay...



As far as installation, for a seasoned professional, Auto removal, pedal swap, floor hump (use a factory 4spd hump!) tranny install, odds and ends,... 6-8 hrs, I've done this TKO install many times, IMHO if your paying more than a G note for installation, your paying too much


Mike

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Hey Mike, thanks for mentioning us. Silver Sport Transmissions is new but the product and staff's experience are not.

I can match that price and we have everything in stock. I have attached a photo of the B body TKO for reference.

Jeff Kauffman

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