Twin_Turbo

why not use lakwood # 15015? Set up for 17deg tilted mounting.

sly vette

Monetary deficency!!!!
And I truely like to fabricate.

sly vette

I need to make sure about the address of the R/Lower hole. For some reason the friend of a friend machinist doesn't think it is right, although I am fairley confident they are.
Don't want to take the chance and ruin the stock. So as soon as the I'm sure the numbers are accurate I will start to disassemble my car and then every thing should come together at the same time.
Now if I understand, after the plate is made, I put trans on bench elevate and level the trans pad,level the bellhousing, and then I can mark the plate for the studs. Correct???
If I am correct, then after installing the studs, I mark the outline of the trans onto the plate, and put a nice finished edge on it.
I'm going to elevate myself to CAVEMAN status in no time!!!

sly vette

Yeah, I was at work yesterday and every time I wanted to get to the computer, some idiot would call us stating their house was on fire!!
I'll tell you the nerve of some people!!!!!
We did have two structure fires yesterday, I just got home and I'm beat. (Firefighting is definatly a YOUNG mans sport!!!) If I didn't have 23 years under my belt, I'd look for a easier way to make my money. AHHHHHH 2 years till I retire.

Twin_Turbo

I like to fabricate also but 400$ for a sturdy lakewood safety bellhousing making it a bolt in deal vs. converting another bellhousing using a 1/2" thick slab of high quality aluminium and adding the time and machining costs. Sounds like reinventing the wheel to me. Last time I checked (last week) aluminium prices had gone up again and machining isn't free either for everyone without a lathe and a mill.

BerniesVette

Sly,
You just need to slip the adapter on the tranny to mark the holes for the studs; you don't have to mount the bellhousing too.
Caveman Bernie

Durango_Boy

I'm with Sly on this one. Don't get me wrong...sometimes I buy what I need, but I'd almost always rather make a new wheel for $150 instead of buying a wheel for $400. Maybe it's a disease that we have.

sly vette

Gotcha Caveman!!!

sly vette

Another question....What has to be done if I want to put in a '95 or later trans? Or will it just not work with this setup???

RobRace10

The depth 6.450 in. is the same on this as a standard SBC Lakewood belhousing. Wouldn't you still need a plate to get the imput shaft depth right?

I think we would need the 15030 http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

BerniesVette

If the depth is the same you would still need to space it out 1/2 inch.
The newer T5's have longer input shafts so using 2 plates makes an easier install. Norval will have to tell you the thickness of each plate as I haven't done any of the newer ones.
Bernie

Durango_Boy

What year does the newer one start? So when you say newer, do you mean post WC or say '95+?

BerniesVette

I'm not sure what year they went to the longer input shafts. I know that 98 and up have them; I think somewhere around 95 or 96.
Bernie

norvalwilhelm

The 95 tranny need 2 adapter plates. One 1/2 inch and one 5/8th inch. This is actually easier for me. Making the plates is not difficult. You mount the 1st 1/2 inch plate using the stock mounting bolts. YOu then bolt the second plate to the first plate putting the counter sunk bolts in any place you want as long as they don;t interfer with the 4 studs for mounting the T5.
I like to mount the bellhousing, install bolts in the 3 and 9 oclock position and with them only snug use a dial indicator and get run out to zero, tighten the bolts, recheck that you still have zero runout, remove the bellhousing and drill the plate and bellhousing for 3 or 4 dowel pins.
This give a perfect hole for mounting the tranny and is easy to do.
I hate after market bellhousing for their inaccuaracies.
Don't believe it when they say it is simple to buy offset dowels and move the bellhousing. It is not and that aftermarket bellhousing will be off.
Doug/Carguy4sure went the double adpater plate route. I made the adapters and found the 2 made a nice installation.
I personally run a ford tremec with an adapter plate.

I actually run 6 mounting studs for the tranny. There was lots of room so I added 2 extra for a little more holding power. This is the 85 one ton bellhousing with a 1/2 inch plate ready for the tremec to be slide home.

Durango_Boy

Wow Norval, great pic. So in '95 they lengthened the input shaft. A '94 would still only need the .5" plate?

sly vette

Your pics help a great deal Norval.
Thank you!

sly vette

What rear gear did you have in your car?
I noticed that you went with I believe a 3.35 1st gear in the T5.
I currantly have a 3.08

BerniesVette

Sly,
I had 3:55 rear gears and with the 3:35 first gear in the T5, it had really good acceleration. I liked the combination a lot and I think Carguy4sure had the same combo and is pleased with it too!
Bernie

sly vette

I guess I will try the 3.08 and see how I like it. I'm not really interested in performance as much as economy. I would like to light them up every so often though!!

I'm Batman

94 was the first year for the longer input, IIRC.