Tremec

[rspears]

There seems to be a lot of confusion about Tremec Transmissions, so I thought I would offer a few insights that I learned as I was shopping a couple of years back. You can find the history of Tremec, and all of the different technologies that have come together under one corporate JV, but the bottom line here is that Tremec has two distinct and totally separate product lines. First is their OEM/Corporate line, which produces application specific transmissions for OEM suppliers, generally with reduced torque capacities and less expensive components to keep costs down on a unit price basis (read this "to keep the corporate accountants happy" ). Second is their Aftermarket/Performance product line, which is where you get the good stuff . Evidence of the two distinct lines is clearly shown on Tremec's Home Page - Tremec While a transmission may carry the same general "family" designation, the products in the two lines are drastically different as can be seen in the full product part number where the design torque capacity is clearly denoted. A large aftermarket industry has developed to "toughen" OEM Tremec products which were originally designed for the output of a specific OEM model vehicle. This "toughening" process can be quite expensive.

If a person takes time to investigate the Tremec Aftermarket/Performance line they quickly see the difference. While the gear ratios may be identical to an OEM application the torque capacities are not. The Ford T5 was used in a ton of applications, and is a Tremec transmission. It is a very good transmission, but if it is used hard has a track record of shelling out in some pretty spectacular explosions - the term "grenade waiting to explode" has been applied to used T5's. If you don't know what it's seen, then you don't know how reliable it is going to be. To add to the confusion there are several OEM applications of the Tremec T56 out there with lower design torque values, but the T56Magnum from Tremec is a 700ftlb monster, and their TKO500 and TKO600 are good for 500ftlbs and 600ftlbs respectively. This does not mean that there is not a stronger tranny out there, but we need to be clear about your source. If you're looking to buy a junk yard OEM unit then you need to research the full part number to discern the torque capacity that was designed in for the original application.

This is that age old problem. Do I buy the Aftermarket/Performance tranny up front, and shell out the bucks to get it, or do I buy the OEM version from the junk yard? If I buy the OEM version do I take a chance and drive it "as is", or do I spend $2000 having it rebuilt and "toughened". What we tend to see is a person stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime, buying the OEM expecting Aftermarket performance, and then complaining about Tremec when it breaks. Most of us probably don't actually need the torque monsters, but they sure do provide some peace of mind if you can justify the costs. Just my $0.02 on Tremec's. I love my TKO500, which was built for Aftermarket