Tranny Swap

Rolling Thunder · #1 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 10:33 PM

It's been over 8 years since I bought my Contemporary, but I finally got a 5 speed Tremec to put in place of the top loader 4 spd. Anyone have any tips/suggestions/helpful hints to make the R&R go smooth?

Anyone in the Cinci, OH area have some experience with this install and some spare time sometime in the next few weeks, I'd be willing to accept some assistance. :-)

Thanks, Keith

PANAVIA · #2 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 12:46 AM

what Bellhousing did you get, which tremec >?

Todays Word: *interdependency* !! also --what engine >?

legenmetals · #3 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 01:18 AM

Hi Keith, I have one in my 427 contemporary and it works great. My car had this transmision in it when I bought it. When a new clutch was needed I realized that the tranny cannot be removed without pulling the engine first.The other option is modifying the crossmember so that the crossmember can be removed allowing the removal of the transmision without pulling the engine. I have a lakewood bellhousing and hydraulic clutch and if I remember right I think it has a spacer plate between the bellhousing and the transmision. I will try and get some pictures posted of my installation so you can get an idea what you are up against. The hole for the shifter lines up with the tunnel. Finishline sells a shifter that bolts right on and looks original. Your drive shaft may need modifying also. Don't forget about correct pinion angles when modifying your crossmember.

mickmate · #4 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 05:17 AM

That's a good looking example you have. Doug has a few good pictures of his removable tranny cross member if you need some. Also if you need them I have the flanges here to make his cross member removeable before we discovered it already was. The clutch is a bit of a trick with such tight constraints within frame rails. Forte has a slick arrangement with a drilled and tapped block welded right on the side of the Quicktime bellhousing for a heim jointed CNC slave cylinder. Let us know if there are any questions or pics required.

mikeforte · #5 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 05:32 AM

Hi Keith,
The Top loader has the same length and bellhousing bolt pattern as the TKO. I sell a FE input kit so you can use the same bellhousing and linkage with just a clutch disc change to 26-spline if you have a TKO-600. You would then just install a 31-spline yoke on the same driveshaft. The X-member mod would be the only change underneath. The speedo gear is different. Call me with any questions.

Rolling Thunder · #6 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 12:25 PM

Thanks for all the info. I hadn't thought about the crossmember being non-removable. Ugh. I wonder if I've got enough room to pull the engine forward to get enough clearance w/o having to remove it completely - I'd like to avoid removing the the header tubes which I think I'd have to do to take the engine completely out. I'll have to look this evening.

Modifying the crossmember sounds daunting. I would like to see pics.

Since my 351C is rather mild, I went with the older TR3550 instead of a TKO500/600. The input and output shaft spline counts (10/28) should be the same as the top loader. It's also my understanding that the Tremec will bolt right up to my current bellhousing.