Adding a TREMEC 5 spd
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 946
Likes: 266
From: McMinnville Oregon
Lot's of parts to make this conversion, their price was $6000 all in. Then probably another $1000 for installation. TREMEC qualified it all with, "this is not a bolt in, there may be some modifications needed to fit". Could be interesting, but I'd sure like to have that 5 spd.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
Lot's of parts to make this conversion, their price was $6000 all in. Then probably another $1000 for installation. TREMEC qualified it all with, "this is not a bolt in, there may be some modifications needed to fit". Could be interesting, but I'd sure like to have that 5 spd.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 946
Likes: 266
From: McMinnville Oregon
GTO Guy
I checked and sent an email to the seller on EBAY. Then checked on that model Chrysler 833 and it's a 4 spd where 4th gear is the overdrive, so really a 3 spd with overdrive, not what I wanted.
I checked and sent an email to the seller on EBAY. Then checked on that model Chrysler 833 and it's a 4 spd where 4th gear is the overdrive, so really a 3 spd with overdrive, not what I wanted.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 15,316
Likes: 2,266
From: NorCal
IIRC the OP had originally stated that his objective was not only an OD gear but also equally spaced ratios.
Perhaps cost is not his primary objective. After all, none of these swaps ever really have a realistic pay back period. After that it’s just a matter of degree!
Perhaps cost is not his primary objective. After all, none of these swaps ever really have a realistic pay back period. After that it’s just a matter of degree!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
Thanks for the reply, I appreciate knowing you at least checked it out. It IS a 4 speed, but yes, with the compromise of using third as the 'new' overdrive gear. What you get is much larger gaps between the gears than a 'performance' box, ok on a passenger car or truck, but agreeably not as desirable on a car like a Corvette. I brought it into the equation because it was a direct-fit bolt in, cheap, and that your Hemi car can deal with the large gaps between the gears with it's torque output. If cost were no issue, without question the 5 speed Tremec is the better choice. For cheapskates like me, the 833 OD makes a lot of sense. Everything is a compromise, be it in funds or gear spacing. I love your car and am delighted that you have its history and are making the most out of enjoying it!
Last edited by GTOguy; Mar 13, 2020 at 04:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 946
Likes: 266
From: McMinnville Oregon
Stock market turned the corner today and hopefully next week will start working it's way back up. If so I'm going to bite the bullet. The way I look at these things is: at my age , 76, if I don't do it now something may happen where I can't drive a clutch and then what would I do with my toy cars. 5 spd Porsche 911, the Hemi/Vette, my 4 spd Classic Mini Cooper and even my 5 spd pickup.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,438
Likes: 1,255
From: Sarver Pa
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Got to look at that chassis this morn , unfortunately forgot my camera. However got to talk to the owner and he used a Hotheads adapter with a Chevy bellhousing and a Chevy Tremec TKO. Looked like a very simple thick aluminum adapter plate drilled to fit both patterns. If you are still interested then you should contact Hotheads.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
Stock market turned the corner today and hopefully next week will start working it's way back up. If so I'm going to bite the bullet. The way I look at these things is: at my age , 76, if I don't do it now something may happen where I can't drive a clutch and then what would I do with my toy cars. 5 spd Porsche 911, the Hemi/Vette, my 4 spd Classic Mini Cooper and even my 5 spd pickup.
I have a couple Corvettes with no one to leave them to.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 946
Likes: 266
From: McMinnville Oregon
Well that's what I got to thinking this weekend. Since I got divorced and retired at age 72 I've been playing with my cars, playing golf and playing around in my motor home. Now I have and old dog (16) and a cat, they tend to get under my feet sometimes and I never thought of falling down and breaking something to where I couldn't push in the clutch. I actually broke my left ankle 50 years ago and leant to drive the old corvette without a clutch until my ankle recovered.
So I'm going to get the TREMEC and drive the Hemi/Vette at 2000 rpm on the freeway, drive the Mini at some autoxes and the Porsche at a few track days this summer.
So I'm going to get the TREMEC and drive the Hemi/Vette at 2000 rpm on the freeway, drive the Mini at some autoxes and the Porsche at a few track days this summer.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
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From: Fresno California
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 14
Likes: 8
From: Tn
Well it gets more interesting everyday.
Talked to TREMEC distributor in Caldwell Id. Several guys in the shop where going to sit down and try to figure out how to do this. Then this afternoon I get a text message from them saying they can't do that with a Chrysler unless they custom build the bell housing for about $!200.
So I called the shop here who will do the install and they have a MOPAR guy. We talked and he pointed out another place that has an overdrive for my stock 833 Chysler Transmission.
One step forward and two back but then this is a unique car anyway.
Talked to TREMEC distributor in Caldwell Id. Several guys in the shop where going to sit down and try to figure out how to do this. Then this afternoon I get a text message from them saying they can't do that with a Chrysler unless they custom build the bell housing for about $!200.
So I called the shop here who will do the install and they have a MOPAR guy. We talked and he pointed out another place that has an overdrive for my stock 833 Chysler Transmission.
One step forward and two back but then this is a unique car anyway.
Give me Call we have the correct set up behind all the Mopar engines. I even make Big Block and small block bells.
Gene
SST
865-609-8187
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 534
Likes: 17
Well I did get a response back from TREMEC and talked to Doug this morning. He clarified that I want the TKO model. So after playing with numbers again and reviewing all your inputs, which I appreciate, I'm going for the TKO -500 with the 0.68 over drive and will have them change first gear to the 2.87. For now I'll stay with the stock rear end of 3.23 but will keep the 3.73 ring and pinion as an option.
I had an interesting talk to the shop owner Denny Finn over in Woodburn, Or. When I showed him the dyno chart I got on the car a couple years ago we talked about in the old days they advertised Gross Horsepower and SAE. Then the numbers I got on the dyno where wheel horsepower. The dyno showed 239 hp and 310 ft/lbs, compared to the advertised 325 hp and 430 ft/lbs. As you can see I was looking for some way to get more grunt out of this old Hemi. For now I'll see how it feels with the TREMEC and save the 3.73 for later.
I had an interesting talk to the shop owner Denny Finn over in Woodburn, Or. When I showed him the dyno chart I got on the car a couple years ago we talked about in the old days they advertised Gross Horsepower and SAE. Then the numbers I got on the dyno where wheel horsepower. The dyno showed 239 hp and 310 ft/lbs, compared to the advertised 325 hp and 430 ft/lbs. As you can see I was looking for some way to get more grunt out of this old Hemi. For now I'll see how it feels with the TREMEC and save the 3.73 for later.
Feedback from Silver Sport;
" The gearing between the 500/600 models is not interchangeable."
My questions;
Is Doug with Silver Sport or Tremec.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 946
Likes: 266
From: McMinnville Oregon
And I'm still waiting to get in the shop, phew! Glad I wasn't in a hurry. They have the transmission just waiting for space to get into so they can start. That's now looks like the first of May.
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 297
Likes: 91
From: Uniontown Ohio
I have the L76 with a 3:55 rear end, and I still feel the need for a fifth gear when just cruising along at 45-75. The only thing holding me back is the lock on my wallet that keeps telling me not at this time. My wife agrees with the wallet. I put a Miata five speed transmission in my MGB and it changed the whole personality of the car. It was fun to drive again, I guess the older you get, the more gears you need.
