New Tremec TKX 5-speed

TREMEC TKX 5-speed manual transmission
POSTED BY: STEVE BAUR NOVEMBER 6, 2020

TREMEC, the leading manufacturer of manual transmissions and components, announces the release of the new TKX, a 5-speed RWD manual transmission developed solely for the aftermarket. “We listened to our customers, combined their suggestions with our OEM technology and strengthened our aftermarket line up with the addition of the TKX,” says Mike Kidd, aftermarket business unit manager at TREMEC. The all-new 5-speed, single overdrive manual transmission from TREMEC was designed, tested, and built specifically for the aftermarket.

For the development of the new transmission, TREMEC engineers took a forward-looking approach to finding the best and most efficient solution. This included universal packaging, excellent shifting performance, and extreme durability.

The three-piece aluminum housing provides outstanding structural stiffness (includes main case, intermediate plate and rear extension). Gaskets at all flanges simplify installation and eliminate fluid leaks. The transmission is designed for multiple to fit applications with three shifter locations and an overall compact, end-loaded design that provides clearance in most transmission tunnels without floor modifications. Separate GM and Ford case patterns and input configurations are available.


Internally, the TKX features a robust design with internal three-rail shift system and steel shift forks. All gears and shafts are made from special grade steel (ASTM 4615) providing increased torque carrying capacity, and a wide gear width increases gear life and a 600 lb/ft torque capacity, while at the same time, noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) performance is optimized with a gear layout to best control stress levels.
One of the key characteristics of the TKX transmission is its outstanding shift-ability at high RPM (up to 7,500) to match modern, high-performance engines. This was achieved by using multi-cone synchronizers and hybrid synchronizer rings made of sintered bronze and carbon. Additionally, a single overdrive reduces engine wear and fuel consumption for comfortable roadway driving, and the transmission os offered in multiple gear ratio configurations (See chart below). Connecting the transmission to the engine and driveshaft are a 26-spline input shaft and a 31-spline output shaft for added strength.

TREMEC has also equipped its TKX manual transmission with a high-performance short-throw billet aluminum shifter that isolates road noise, while providing clean, crisp shifts, and a built-in reverse light switch and cruise control safety switch provide additional functionality for street car applications.

This looks like a good replacement for an 833 or an auto to manual conversion. I installed a TKO years ago and it functions pretty good but the flaw with them is the 2-3 shift. You can't do high rpm shifts with the TKO but this new trans fixes that. The TKX is $2795. Not a bad price considering that a T56 Magnum 6-speed is $5000 and Passon's 5-speed is $6000.

So who is the guinea pig on the first E-body installation with detailed pictures and writeup?

If Tim still had his red Valiant that is the transmission that I'd try to talk him into. That Valiant really needed another gear. It also needed EFI but that is a slam dunk to install these days. The TKO was available back in the day but it was too much of a weak sister to install behind the 427 that Tim was running. A six speed was just too much of a good thing to install in the car.

A T56 Magnum TUET11009 should not be $5 grand, we sell them for way less than that, just to clarify.
Maybe if you factor in a Quick Time belhousing, and an install of that trans it would be around that price.

This new TKX looks interesting and glad that Tremec is still catering to the 5 speed market.

You're right Ariel, I was going off what I've got in my whole set up. $4,745 from Dederichs. The T56 is for the Valiant but I've got the TKO "Perfect Fit" from ol' Keisler in my 'cuda. Silverport says the TKX should be a direct replacement without the need to even replace the driveshaft. This TKX sounds great for those of us who have bought TKO kits and have always wanted high RPM shifts.

I'm just glad you're having fun with all your projects with manual transmissions!
Stick shifts for everyone haha!

Definitely not having as much fun as I should be. Bunch of wrenches in my plans. I bought a 76 D100 that I did NOT need and it's taking money away from the 'cuda. If I sell that I will be buying one of these TKX 5-speeds to replace the TKO and sell that as well.

Can the new tkx be had with the same direct fit mods as the tko?

I don't think the mods have to be done, at least on B & E's. The tunnel shouldn't have to be cut. Upon viewing the TKX case, it is somewhat more rounded on the top of the case. The TKO has a shifting fork inspection cover on top the transmission case cover that is tall enough that it requires the transmission tunnel to be cut and have a piece of sheetmetal welded to the tunnel. The TKX has a one piece case, no cover on top, so it is lower sitting in the tunnel.

It also looks like TKX has more shifter locations , at least fore and aft, so that it can accomadate the different locations the shifter hole is in between the different models. It may be in the middle and not slightly offset to the driver's side like A833 and SST/Keisler shifter locations though.

I called and inquired about what it would take to put my TKO Perfect fit kit into a different car, specifically a big block, and was told that they were specifically fitted to a certain model. I couldn't put the kit in say, an A-body or B-body, but if I wanted to put it in another E-body with a big block the only thing I would need would be a bellhousing. The crossmember and throwout bearing is the same. I am guessing this is because Keisler modifies the TKO case and the shifter turret location specific to each bodystyle. I think that the TKX would fit easier across the board and not HAVE to have modification to it's case or the car that is recieving it.

Kiesler hasn't been in this business for well over 10 years.

My bad. I’m meant SST but as far as the modifications go it’s the same as Keisler. They are the only vendor, to my knowledge, cutting the tail of the TKO’s and moving the shifter over to come out the stock location. I bought my “Perfect Fit” kit from Keisler but Silversport has handled any tech questions and service parts I’ve needed. I said Keisler but mistakenly. You didn’t know Silversport (SST) is Keisler’s successor?

Yeah, I did/do. I just don't like inaccurate descriptions, poor grammar or incorrect terminology.
Just keeping the facts straight, no offense meant.

Well, I hope I only made one infraction, inaccurate description.

So typical of me....forgetting how others might interpret the things that I say.
In this instance, I really didn't mean to be rude. I was just trying to make a correction.
I am sorry for being blunt on the response.

Finally maybe now a replacement for my 4 speed that is reasonably priced.

SST is planning on offering up to 25 shifter application/locations, some of which will involve offset brackets to the shift tower nub to position the shifter in the stock locations or as close as possible

Mike

It's cool. You know the internet, hard to capture emotion and sentiment. It is all good in the hood. Admittedly, I say the wrong thing all the time.

Just a heads up Tremec is having a $100 price increase on their other transmissions for 2021.
This new TKX will still be $2,795.00

with this trans, any quicktime bellhousing for TKO transmissions would work as long as it was matched to the ford or chevy input shaft with the TKX?

Good question.

I emailed Tremec, they said this trans uses the same bell housing as the TKO (makes sense that they would design it like that). One of these would be pretty awesome in my 67 Coronet.
I'd guess there would still be some cutting/welding to get it all mounted and I've got an Auto car so I'd have to do pedals and all that stuff, would want to fab up a master/slave hyd setup for the clutch I guess. Seems like alot of work and research...

Ive got a complete parts list by just requesting a quote. The big one is trans crossmember and the shifter location. Mopars are offset to the driver's side and these transmissions have shifters that are at centerline. The mods that SST does puts the shifter to the left side.

If you could get SST to sell you just the transmission then you could just piece it all together and fab a simple crossmember. They also sell the pedals and the 4 speed hump. For an auto to man. conversion it may be easier (maybe not cheaper) to just go with the "kit". If you already have collected pedals and a 4 speed hump then I would piece it together. I already have the whole TKO kit installed in my car from years ago so I'm going to email them and see if they will just sell the trans due to the TKX being a replacement part for the TKO.

Just judging by the shape and the shifter location, it looks like you'd still be doing a lot of cutting and patching, need a centered shifter location and the whole shift rail area is taller than an A-833.

Now, you also look at installing basically the chevy version and now you need a Mopar to muncie quicktime bellhousing, the aftermarket slave cylinder kits (which honestly I am not a fan of), and still need a GM clutch disk for the 23 spline...and you're on your own for the crossmember, which may also not clear the original torsion bar crossmember. Still buying a driveshaft with a C6 yoke.

I did the T56 Magnum conversion with the ToddRon crossmember, made my own floor with mostly a pre-fab 6-speed tunnel for a Chevelle, took out the aftermarket slave kit and went for a 2002 Camaro slave, driven it for two years and it's still amazing.

Other than the ToddRon crossmember which might actually be better for this also (or make your own slightly smaller version), you save what, $600 over a T56 Magnum on a Mopar? I'd just keep the T56 Magnum honestly.

I attached some pictures so you could see what that looks like. Of course I'm a go big or go home guy for this type of thing.

Ha ha

I called Silver Sport Transmissions and spoke with the man today.
This new transmission is getting noticed. I have a '70 Charger with a 440/493 and an 8 3/4" axle. I asked him if this new transmission offers any advantages over the TKO series.
He said that IF I plan on doing repeated shifts over 6000 rpms or have well over 600 lbs of torque, the new trans is a nice step up.
I have suggested that the torque rating is directly proportional to the traction. If the tires go up in smoke at half throttle, the trans never sees the full impact of the engine. He agreed and said that the TKO can take momentary applications of over 600 ft/lbs without worry. I am probably under 600 so I'm fine.
I ordered a kit with the TKO, a Pistol Grip shifter, hydraulic clutch and all the regular stuff. Total including shipping was $5978 ! What a shock, It was almost $6600 the last time I got a quote!

you ordered a TKO or TKX trans?

TKO....The last one they had!

Before it leaves I'd spend the coin to have the CF syncros installed instead of the stock bronze....day and night in shifting quality on the TKO

Isn’t the tax supposed to have the upgraded parts

This looks like the overdrive option for manual transmissioned Mopars wanting an overdrive.

They have many ratio combinations available.


This would be my choice:

TCET17805


GM


600 lb-ft

26 spline

2.87 1st

1.89 2nd

1.28 3rd

1.00 4rth

0.68 5th

2.56 reverse