Best Bellhousing

[DoneByDoug]

Tremec TKO600, 347 Small Block. What bellhousing is the lightest? What bellhousing has the closest tolerances for dial in. External clutch slave.

Also, what's the deal with shifting issues for all sorts of transmissions? Is it dial in error, breakin error. Very scary.

Lastly, if anyone has some killer bellhousing, starter, and clutch combos to recommend, I'd appreciate it.

[Got the Bug]

Quicktime seems to be a popular choice to match up with the TKO600.

http://www.quicktimeinc.com/products.html

[VintageUpgrades]

We use the Quicktime on almost all of our installs. Fantastic product!

[xlr8or]

Mike Forte can set you up with a Quicktime housing modified with a billet throwout setup that is pretty sweet.

[Jimi G]

Quicktime is the lightest, has the tightest tolerances, and looks the best hands down. They are the only bellhousing I am selling with TKO's right now and I have had great luck with them. jimig@standardtransmission.com

[vector1]

factory aluminum bellhousing is about 7 lbs., from there the quicktime would be nicest and light, then the stamped steel scatter shields with plate weigh about 40 lbs.

now if you're looking for recommendations, i recommend the one in my garage--scattershield, aluminum flywheel, pressure plate, disc, throwout bearing. interested?

[RedBarchetta]

Times change. I went with a McLeod last year after reading so many misalignment issues with the Lakewoods. And I'm really satisfied with it. Now it appears that the Quicktimes have gained a lot of traction and appear to be the hot set-up. Probably can't go wrong with either, just make sure you have it professionally dialed-in to ensure proper alignment. Also ensure you have proper ground clearance...I had about 1 inch of mine sawed off to align with the bottom of the oil pan (see pics in gallery).

-Dean

[DoneByDoug]

Vector1-Factory Aluminum Bellhousing? Do you mean the Tremec alum?

Everybody-If I'm not going to race this car, is there any reason why I'd really need the protection of a Lakewood, Quicktime, or McLeod. The Tremec I believe is one third the weight of the others mentioned above, and much smaller (requires a 10.5 clutch I'm told). I'm really trying to make this car as light as possible (to offset my fat!)

Thanks to all.

[undy]

Originally Posted by DoneByDoug

Vector1-Factory Aluminum Bellhousing? Do you mean the Tremec alum?

Everybody-If I'm not going to race this car, is there any reason why I'd really need the protection of a Lakewood, Quicktime, or McLeod. The Tremec I believe is one third the weight of the others mentioned above, and much smaller (requires a 10.5 clutch I'm told). I'm really trying to make this car as light as possible (to offset my fat!)

Thanks to all.

Without a blow-proof bellhousing the weight reduction you realize could be the absense of your lower legs and feet if the disc, pressure plate ond/or flywheel decides to let loose. Abmittedly, it's a rarity with todays engineering and manufacturing techniques. ....but .... why roll the dice if you don't need too?

Dave

[DoneByDoug]

Honestly, losing my legs and/or feet is the least of my worries with this car.
Of much greater concern is the lack of side protection in the event of a crash.

Everythings a compromise. For instance I'd drive without a blow proof bellhousing all day long, but ride a motorcycle? Scares the hell out of me.

In an ideal scenario, I'd like to connect my roll bar braces on the outside of both seats for better side impact protection. However, it just doesn't look right so I won't do it. I don't have a death wish, but at the same time, I've got to have fun and get what I want.

Thanks again everybody. Appreciate your help. Keep it coming. I could be talked out of this, so please chime in.

[RedBarchetta]

We tend to drive these cars harder than most. We tend to rev these cars to 6000rpm and beyond. If you want to play Russian Roulette with your legs, that's your business. If you're lucky, you'll bleed to death on the spot and it will be a quick(er) event. Yeah, the odds are very long on it happening to anyone. But nobody thought the '04 Red Sox would come back from three down to the Yankees during the ALCS and then win it all, and look what happened?

Doug, I used to have a similar mindset. And I changed. Now I power shift without worries (well, maybe losing a half-shaft, but I don't think twice about the clutch/pressure plate any longer).

Good luck on the build,

-Dean

[vector1]

Originally Posted by DoneByDoug

Vector1-Factory Aluminum Bellhousing? Do you mean the Tremec alum?

Everybody-If I'm not going to race this car, is there any reason why I'd really need the protection of a Lakewood, Quicktime, or McLeod. The Tremec I believe is one third the weight of the others mentioned above, and much smaller (requires a 10.5 clutch I'm told). I'm really trying to make this car as light as possible (to offset my fat!)

Thanks to all.

keep in mind what everybody says above. there is a factory aluminum bellhousing available for the tremec tko series or t5, they are different. i'm using same with aluminum flywheel and lightweight pressure plate from quartermaster that weighs total i think 17 lbs., if this blows it is still gonna hurt.

i dropped a 3550 for a t5 = 30 lbs.
scattershield for aly bellhousing = 33 lbs.
clutch change = 10 or 15 rotating wt.

like the man says, you roll the dice. course i ride a motorcycle and piss off the back porch too. what would really suck is if you took somebody else's legs out.

good luck.

[Got the Bug]

I had the Quicktime bellhousing installed on my car when they pulled the tranny out to do some warranty work on the engine. I don't have any measurements, but the Quicktime appears to have more clearance than the stock bellhousing that was installed. Looks good too!