Tcheairs38655

Anyone done a C2 Tremec TKO 500 or 600 conversion without pulling the engine? If so, I'd appreciate hearing exactly how you got it done (over the fixed #2 crossmember) Also, did you experience transmission shaft to crankshaft alignment problems following the installation. Vibration, etc.

Thanks

TC

DucatiDon

Just curious how you intend to measure bellhousing alignment with the engine in the car?

Undercar exhaust pipes are also in the way. Really easy to just pull the motor.

Good Luck.

D

Tcheairs38655

[BI have no idea how that could be done. I am not a mechanic and would have to find someone who had done it before to do the job for me.]If I am going to have to pull the engine, I might as well drop in an LS3 while I'm at it.

Probably will abandon the project until I can afford to do the engine upgrade as well. Not worth the effort to save (less than) 1,000 cruise RPM. [/B]

Crunch527

I have...takes 2 folks to measure the run out...one on the crank bolt with a ratchet and me behind the engine taking the reading. It really sucked...

Best way to do a C2 TKO swap is to pull the motor...

As for pulling the engine as being enough work to justify an LS3 swap????

An LS3 swap takes another $10-12K with you doing all the work...engine, pullies, radiator, hoses, exhaust, water pump mod, ECM, gas pedal mount, fuel pump or new tank with electric pump installed...an on and an...

Tcheairs38655

[BWell, I guess that idea was a bit of over the top sarcasm. There is a lot of extra wiring and "trick" oil cooler and fuel plumbing with my 383 installation as well. [/B]Headers are neatly welded to the side pipes also. Think I'll just have to live with the extra revs for awhile..

warrenmj

I didn't do my Tremec TKO500 install myself, but had a shop do it for me. They didn't pull the engine and I haven't had any problems in 8-9 years and over 20k miles.

LouieM

I had a shop put in a Tremec in my 67 several years ago, including measuring the bell housing of course. The install went fine, but the tranny had internal problems and I eventually went back to a Muncie. I think a Tremec is not worth the expense and effort unless you are putting on huge highway miles.

OHSIXX

My experience has been identical. No problems.

midyear

everyone i have done required that the engine at least be pulled loose and forward, cant see how the struggle to leave the engine in place and install the 5 speed would be worth it.

Tcheairs38655

Thanks for all the words of wisdom. I tend to go along with LouieM. My driving is usually 100 miles round trip to the local cruise ins. If I can create a quieter exhaust for cruising, that would enhance comfort quite a bit. This 383 Stroker is very loud through the side pipes, xo maybe an under car system with cutouts would make more sense. I guess if the 9-10mpg is a problem, I shouldn't be driving a car like this anyway. thanks again for the comments

LouieM

An undercar with cutouts works great. After I bought my 67 327 with Chevy side pipes in Michigan and drove it home 2,800 miles to Calif. I was done with side pipes forever.

Tcheairs38655

LouieM..Great observation. Hopefully I can install correct C2 mufflers, no glasspacks or Flowmasters. I plan to isolate the side pipes totally with the butterfly. When open I guess Ill be using both systems and the side pipes will be slightly quieter. Does that make sense.How did you hang the mufflers at the rear of the car?

LouieM

Personally I would just have an undercar exhaust. I use Walker Super Turbo mufflers because they sound like I remember original Sting Rays sounding from the factory. I used standard Chevy exhaust hangers to hold the mufflers to the frame.

Tcheairs38655

You are saying you would disconnect the side pipes and just install the under car exhaust...no cutouts?I think the Walker is now called a Dynomax. It's offered thru Summit.

LouieM

Yes, just an under car exhaust, no cutouts, is the way I'd do it for my own preference in sound, and for simplicity. Yeah, Walker and Dynomax seem to interchange for whatever reason; maybe one company bought the other one.

Tcheairs38655

Great tips, I appreciate all your input Louie...

LouieM

Glad to pass on my own experience, which is what this glorious forum is all about.

GearheadJoe

I used a Keisler kit to put a TKO-600 in my '67 a few years ago. Keisler provided excellent step-by-step instructions for installing the transmission with the engine still in the car (and still on the engine mounts). The sequence of steps is non-intuitive and I would never have figured it out on my own, but by following the instructions, the transmission goes right in. If you are serious about doing this swap, send me a PM and I will send you a copy of the instructions.

I put the car up high on jack stands and used an inexpensive 3-axis transmission jack from Harbor Freight (see photo below). The 3-axis transmission jack is essential because the transmission has to be tilted in various ways as you raise it into the tunnel, and then held in certain positions while you fool with the bellhousing and clutch.

In my view, the entire installation is tedious but not difficult if you have a 3-axis transmission jack. I did the whole thing by myself, including the bellhousing alignment, in one weekend.

The benefit of a Tremec 5-speed is not just the higher 5th gear (which itself is wonderful). You also get a lower first gear than a Muncie provides. In my view, this gives provides the best of both worlds. You get better launch in first gear and lower cruising rpm in 5th gear.

Compared to a Muncie close-ratio with a 3.70 rear, the TKO-600 with a 3.70 rear is like having a 4.56 in first gear and a 2.73 in 5th.

BTW, I recently did an engine swap in this car and pulled the engine/trans as a unit. For my car, with power steering an A/C, that was WAY more work than swapping the trans with the engine in the car. I would never pull the engine just to swap the Tremec in.

Lastly, driveshaft angle is an issue with the TKO-600, but it's not hard to solve. It just takes patience and attention to detail.

Tcheairs38655

Gearhead Joe, that was an encouraging answer to my post. I had abandoned the project because I didn't want to pull the engine (many posts said that was necessary). I'll be sending you a PM requesting the details...Thanks again

babbah

Way too many install and vibration issues - Not worth the hassles and high costs!

Muncies Forever!