The TREMEC TKX 5 speed transmission has quickly become a popular choice in the muscle car, street truck and late model car/truck world. But some people think it’s simply a slightly upgraded version of the venerable TREMEC T5. In reality, it has more in common with its big brother, the T56 Magnum 6 speed. We thought it would be useful to show how the TKX really compares to the original 5 speed workhorse, the T5.
ABOVE: The TREMEC T5 5 speed originally debuted in the 1979 Ford Mustang, and went on to be used in multiple GM vehicles. It was the first modern overdrive manual transmission used in a production vehicle. With internal shift rails, lightweight compact aluminum case and smooth shifting (for the time), it was a giant leap forward in manual transmission technology. It was used in the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore in 6 cylinder and V8 equipped vehicles up to 2003.
The TREMEC T5 5 speed was a popular swap into muscle cars, classic cars and street trucks, providing an overdrive in a compact and lightweight (35kgs dry) transmission. But as horsepower and torque levels climbed, the 300 lb-ft torque capacity was pushed to the limits.
Seeing the need for a new compact five-speed manual transmission that could handle greatly increased torque and horsepower, TREMEC developed the TKX 5 speed. Borrowing some internal features of the popular T56 Magnum 6 speed, such as double-cone synchronizers and hybrid synchronizer rings, the TKX offers smooth and positive shifting and can be shifted up to 7,500 RPM. This is a significant improvement over the older-design T5.
ABOVE: Side-by-side you can see how the TKX compares to the T5 dimensionally. While the TKX is only a couple of inches wider than the T5, it’s actually a bit shorter than the T5. Besides the closeness in physical size, the TKX is only 10kgs heavier (dry) than the T5 while having twice the torque capacity and two different shifter locations for maximum flexibility when installed in classic cars and trucks.
Where the current world-class T5 only has a factory-rated 300 lb-ft torque capacity, the TKX boasts a 600 lb-ft torque rating. The TKX features a streamlined case that fits inside many stock classic car and truck transmission tunnels without tunnel modifications. Plus it weighs only 45 pounds (dry) making it a lightweight amongst high-capacity modern 5 and 6 speed manual transmissions.
ABOVE: The TKX comes in both Ford and GM versions with compatibility with factory bellhousings and mechanical clutch systems (converting to hydraulic clutch also an easy option). The TKX also has optional gear sets for maximum application range, mechanical speedometer output and an optional forward shifter location for use with bench seat cars and trucks.