Convince me to put a TKX in my Dart

jcolman said
I'll let you know how my car handles soon. I should be driving it by Friday. To be honest, I think that the very beefy lower cross member supplied by Silver Sport should do the job just fine. However my car only makes around 350-370 hp so you have to take that into consideration.

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But I also added subframe connectors (not shown) to help stiffen up the car. I have torque boxes that I was going to install, but I'm taking a "wait and see" approach to see if I really need them.

I'm looking forward to it! I've had a couple experienced people leading me to believe that the beefy SST lower section should do the job as well, especially when frame connectors are added to the equation. Please do let me know how it drives.

Dana67Dart said
I would not do it. It was designed the way it was and for a lot less power.

I agree, I'm trying to avoid just doing the kit as-is. I want to do SOMETHING for the top section... just trying to figure out what. Something along the lines of the ToddRon piece would be perfect, but he doesn't offer one for the TKX and I don't feel confident fabbing one myself.

dano said
For my TKO swap you had to cut it back about that at far anyway. You can always re-weld the replacement hoop back in. My kit is the defunct Hurst kit but Holley still sells the loop. Below show what they had you do. The new .188" thick hoop was way stronger than the factory stamped one. We sub-framed my car at the same time which also helps

Install Overview: Hurst Driveline Conversions Tremec TKO Kit for 67-76 Mopar A-Body

I tried to find the Holley loop but couldn't! Do you happen to know what they call it, or maybe have a part number? When you say re-weld the replacement hoop back in... the SST kit comes with a section of floor to replace the floor section you cut out, but it's thin metal and doesn't compare to the upper torsion bar crossmember part you have to remove. Let me know if you meant something else by that and I misunderstood. At the link you posted, I did see a CHUNKY upper crossmember section which looked awesome, but giant compared to the space the TKX needs haha. Is that what you were referring to?

72bluNblu said
I dunno. Looking at the pictures of the TKX install, I think I would still install a T56 instead. It appears you have to do about 90% of the cutting anyway, and if you're going that far, why not get the extra gears and a transmission that has massive aftermarket support? It would be different if there was a 5 speed that fit without all the cutting, but even with a TKX there will be no mistaking the tunnel or crossmember for original.

On my T56 install I used a ToddRonn fabrications crossmember, it includes a complete upper hoop that's even more stout than the original. I can't say that I like the idea of running torsion bars without an upper section to the crossmember. Maybe it would be fine with that beefed up lower section of crossmember, but, when you drop the transmission you remove that whole section of crossmember.

Here's some pictures from my T56 install, there's a TON more and a complete list of every part I used with a link in my build thread My "new" '74 Duster- or why I need a project like a hole in the head

I did the T56 install for $6,620 in parts, I did the install myself. That was in 2019 though, so I'm sure it would be more expensive than that now. I love the transmission though!

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72bluNblu, you've been an inspiration to this undertaking. I think I've read almost every page of your build thread over the years. I certainly appreciate all your contributions! I can understand why some ppl would lean towards the T56, but I just truly don't need it. The .68 overdrive you can get with the TKX is exactly what I want, and I like the fact it's lighter and more compact (yes, even though the cutting is very similar). They're also about a grand apart. Your pricing is very accurate, nowadays a T56 swap (from auto) runs right around 7k, while a TKX is right around 6k.

Craig Burriss said
Go with a T56 Magnum and don’t look back. The best thing I’ve done to my car by far.

I have the feeling it'll be the best thing I do as well! I just have absolutely no need for the T56 over the TKX. It'll be a waste of an additional $1k in my particular case. The .68 od from the TKX is perfect for me.

RustyRatRod said
Best thing to do is find someone in your area who has one and go drive it. You'll convince yourself.

Oh I know I want it! I just wanna go to sleep at night knowing my car still has a safe amount of structural integrity lol. I was chatting with a Mopar friend yesterday who thinks it might be okay... to quote him, "it's probably not the end of the world. But if you introduce something like bumper wheelies into the equation... you're asking a lot of what is in a roundabout way... your spring seat"