Tremac 5-speed

RBeckman · #1 05-06-2010, 08:32 PM

Has anyone installed a Tremac into their 68-72 Chevelle? I'm having all kinds of problems with the cross member and going to have to do major tunnel cutting.

piette · #2 05-06-2010, 09:23 PM

I have one in my 69. I had to cut the tunnel from the firewall all the way back to basically the front u joint. I think my floor braces are saggy, as my driveshaft is way up from where it was with the pinion angle correct. Even with the TH350 I had, the front u joint would hit the floor with a few people in the car, so mine has more to do with it than just the trans. I have new floors, but I stupidly didnt replace the floor braces, I think I should have.

Jeff

RBeckman · #3 05-12-2010, 07:29 PM

Here is what I have so far, the sawzaw went right through the sheet metal like butter....I'll have to do some massaging to the replacement metal they sent me as it does not cover what I had to cut. As you can see I still have some triming to do.

Ray Barnes · #4 05-26-2010, 10:09 AM

Rick, What sparked the project for the 5 speed conversion? Last time I seen you and the car it was fine? Just wanted something different? Man that seems like a big project, and I thought rebuilding a motor was time consuming.

RBeckman · #5 05-26-2010, 01:34 PM

Ray, I've always wanted to do this as I can't stand driving it and the motor turning 3000 rpm at 60 mph, If I had to do it again I would not do it. The worst part is getting those dowl pins out...so the advice I have for anyone with a manual trans if you have the motor out, dial in the bell housing then no matter what.

If you remember John, the guy that was with us at Frankenmuth with the 69 SS with a 540 ci, he put a 6 speed in last year and he loves it and said it was the best investment he made. He was smart and when he build his motor years ago he dial in the bellhousing then and when he upgraded it went easy. He also got the T56 6-speed and did not have to cut the tunnel, he just had to dimple it in a couple spots...I should have taken his advise on the 6 speed but did not want to spend the extra $500....live and learn.

Ray Barnes · #6 05-26-2010, 02:23 PM

Johns car was awesome. Put together very well.

I have to admire you and your project...I couldn't do it. How has the engine been running? You said that it was making some noise, did you figure out what it was?

RBeckman · #7 05-26-2010, 02:46 PM

Have not figured out the noise but I do know it is in the top end, it looks like my headers had a leak so I'm hoping that may be it as I have heard people say that it will sounds like a lifter sometimes. This is one reason I'm going with the 5-speed as it made noise at 3000 rpm and it was bad. If the noise does not go away by the end of the season I will put in a roller cam in over the winter and that should take care of it.

The trans was bad enough and I figured since I was waiting for parts I would fix the heater core which is a royal pain in itself, but at least I will have heat now and can remove the bypass.

John's car is put together real well as he is a perfectionist and it shows. He was over just before I started my project and he said it should not be to bad...wow was he wrong.

Hank70SS · #8 05-26-2010, 02:52 PM

Look at the pictures he posted, he has at least 2 exhaust leaks at the headers. He has those tall ARP head bolts and they're probably keeping the header from seating properly.

RBeckman · #9 05-26-2010, 07:44 PM

Update....Both dowl pins our out thanks to the air chisel and removing half the car....Things I have broken so far Starter, 3 spark plugs, Header scrapped up, Spark plug wire and a big ass mess.

Now to start to align the bellhousing and put it back together if I remember where eveything goes.

RBeckman · #10 05-28-2010, 06:44 PM

I'm living murphy law on this one.

Some how I ordered the wrong offset pins, I was told to order the .007" pin and today I put them in and still can't get it to under .005, now I call the place back and they said I need the .014" and they are not sure why I was told .007" and they won't take back the old ones...oh well. Anyone in need of .007" pins let me know and I will give them to you for half price. The are great pins and that is why I still ordered from them.

I won't have them till next Wed or Thursday so no car this weekend...I have plenty of stuff to work on that does not affect the transmission.