Tremec TKX at the Track

[66 Sat]

I've had the TKX in about 6 weeks now after replacing the 727. Yesterday evening was it's first outing at the track.

After break-in I put the Tremec MTF fluid in and I've got the Mal Wood Underdash Hydraulic pedal unit so the only visible change under the hood is the small hydraulic reservoir mounted off the brake master cylinder bracket.

On the street it's great, has a nice positive shift and performs well. I was interested to see how it would go under high rpm, fast shifts with a helmet on and all the adrenaline of trying to beat my best (slow) quarter mile time.

Well it didn't disappoint. If it shifts well on the street then it shifts amazing on the track - I was worried about missing a shift but my concerns were unwarranted. It honestly feels laser-guided, going from 1st-2nd, 2nd-3rd, and then 3rd-4th, each shift just slams home without hesitation. These were at 5,000 rpm.
I don't need 5th gear at the track which is probably the slowest and trickiest shift on the street due to the distance from my body.

I did 7 passes, so 21 shifts at 5,000 rpm in total, all as positive as each other. This is on my opposite side too - for the the last 30 odd years I've been daily driving manuals and shifting with my left hand, but now I'm shifting with either hand, depending on what car I'm in.

It wasn't any quicker (or slower) than with the 727 which was a surprise as it feels much faster and more free revving. Overall I was very impressed.

 

[Kern Dog]

SCORE !
I wish that my Tremec TKO shifted as well as the new TKX models do. When I'm over 6200, it acts like there is a bar across the gate and the lever will not allow me to shift to 2nd. Once the rpms drop a bit, it slides right in. If I short shift at 5000, it is no problem.
How are you adjusting to having to declutch at stops and stop and go driving?
I love having a manual transmission but sometimes the clutch action in slow traffic is not much fun despite the hydraulic setup. That is the only time I miss the automatic.

 

[66 Sat]

Day to day driving is fine, but reverse parking is a bit more challenging than before, twisting around to look behind while juggling the clutch. I've had two close calls recently in carparks, pure fluke I didn't hit the concrete the last time.

 

[496 polara]

Remember you are adding an extra shift if you make it into fourth in the quarter. So unless you are Ronnie Sox there is an opportunity to slow down. Was the mph the same ?

 

[66 Sat]

Remember you are adding an extra shift if you make it into fourth in the quarter. So unless you are Ronnie Sox there is an opportunity to slow down. Was the mph the same ?

Best time - 14.558 @ 96.78 mph with the TKX & Edelbrock AVS2 650

Best time - 14.418 @ 98.54 mph with the 727 & Edelbrock AVS2 650

Best time - 14.104 @ 99.80 mph with the 727 & Holley 600 Vac Sec

I'm going again at the end of the month and I'm going to swap the Holley back on beforehand. Part of the problem is the shift into 4th is about 92 mph as power feels like it's trailing off with the AVS2 at 5,000 rpm. If the Holley will pull with power through to 5,500 rpm then I can leave it in 3rd.

I've got a whole spreadsheet on all my times and the differences between set-ups. It doesn't matter that I'm in the 14's, 13's, 12's whatever - the fun for me is trying to improve. That being said, I'm keen to finally get into the 13's and break 100 mph.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

SCORE !
I wish that my Tremec TKO shifted as well as the new TKX models do. When I'm over 6200, it acts like there is a bar across the gate and the lever will not allow me to shift to 2nd. Once the rpms drop a bit, it slides right in. If I short shift at 5000, it is no problem.
How are you adjusting to having to declutch at stops and stop and go driving?
I love having a manual transmission but sometimes the clutch action in slow traffic is not much fun despite the hydraulic setup. That is the only time I miss the automatic.

Interesting... As you know, I just got my TKO together & I'm still learning it's quirks... But I've done a half dozen 1st-2nd shifts at 5700-6000 RPM's & it's been fine.. I haven't built the confidence to hit 3rd at that RPM yet but at 5100 which is about 60 mph it slides in great every time... Maybe the CF blocker rings I added do help....

 

[Kern Dog]

Those are standard in the new TKX but we’re optional for the TKO. I didn’t think that I needed them.
The lady cam
I had wasn’t as strong at the high end. This cam just keeps going so shifting at 6000 feels like im
Short changing myself.