Tremec 5 Speed
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
I went the Tremec route also and didn't run into any problems either. I recommend using studs instead of bolts in the bellhousing. I installed the studs with locktite and then slid the transmission over the studs. The studs guide the transmission into place and take the wieght before the retainer bearing slides in.
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From: Ansonia CT
Originally Posted by MotorHead
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
That's a modified pre '80 crossmember, they don't just bolt in, I had to have someone modify the ends where it bolts to the frame. Talk to Vette-4-Life he has a modified '80 crossmember in his 
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From: eaton rapids mi
Originally Posted by MotorHead
That's a modified pre '80 crossmember, they don't just bolt in, I had to have someone modify the ends where it bolts to the frame. Talk to Vette-4-Life he has a modified '80 crossmember in his
Are you using the MAD dual exhaust like i am or plan on going tht route? If yes then their mount will be in the way of the drivers side exhaust forcing you to cut the bottom off. This will then cause the mount to weaken and bend down. I had to take it to a welder to have it strengthened.
I say i was the first Motorhead 'cause you didn't use parts from an 80.
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From: Ansonia CT
Originally Posted by Vette-4-Life
Looking at Motorheads picture of the xmember you can see the tranny mount that Keisler supplies, they give you the same one for an 80. You will need to cut off your existing mount and weld the one they supplied on. Good luck doing this 'cause i sent them my xmember and they didn't get it right. It sits too low and the tranny will rest on the xmember before it touches the mount. This caused me to use a 3/8" shim to keep the tranny tail off the xmember.
Are you using the MAD dual exhaust like i am or plan on going tht route? If yes then their mount will be in the way of the drivers side exhaust forcing you to cut the bottom off. This will then cause the mount to weaken and bend down. I had to take it to a welder to have it strengthened.
I say i was the first Motorhead 'cause you didn't use parts from an 80.
Are you using the MAD dual exhaust like i am or plan on going tht route? If yes then their mount will be in the way of the drivers side exhaust forcing you to cut the bottom off. This will then cause the mount to weaken and bend down. I had to take it to a welder to have it strengthened.
I say i was the first Motorhead 'cause you didn't use parts from an 80.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Smile, it's just the internet.
That particular bolt location is well documented...
From: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...=swivel+socket (page 2, post #35)
From: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...=swivel+socket (page 2, post #35)
Originally Posted by CGGorman - 11-01-2004, 11:02 AM
A few notes of interest:
Aligning the Lakewood bellhousing was a major PITA. Their offset dowels are a joke. Too soft and didn't fit the block properly. Ended up doing it the "hard" way by mounting the dial indicator to the pressure plate and tapping the bellhousing (clutch fork and all) into position. Otherwise, it fit good and was very flat (+-.001"). The only other issue was with a single bolt directly above the starter hump. I couldn't get anything but a modified open end wrench on it. Had to torque it 1/6 turn at a time and couldn't get a torque wrench on it. Could've if I wanted to modify a crowfoot, but I was already pissed at that point.
The Keisler kit and instructions are excellent. It fit perfectly, with NO cutting or fabrication, and took 4-6 hours. There were only two or three things that were frustrating...The single most frustrating thing was having my good jack stolen from the shop. I couldn't get the car up high enough to work comfortably. Damn theives. The upper-right bolt that threads into the bellhousing is hard to get a socket on because of the close proximity to the casting webs. Make sure you've got a short, THIN wall socket. An open end wrench WON'T fit, neither will a deep socket. A swivel socket (not a swivel extension...I don't that would fit either) might, but I didn't have one that would take 65 ft-lbs, so I guessed the torque on that one, too. The spring pin that gets driven into the shifter ball socket is kinda hard to reach clear up in the tunnel...not enough room to swing a hammer. I also cringed every time I hit it. A small c-clamp would've been better, but I didn't have one. Along the same line, the dust cover for the gear selector is kinda hard to both attach (one screw is in a odd place) and seal because of location. All things considered, it was a joy to install. Probably the best aftermarket part I've used. Tied with DeWitts.
Aligning the Lakewood bellhousing was a major PITA. Their offset dowels are a joke. Too soft and didn't fit the block properly. Ended up doing it the "hard" way by mounting the dial indicator to the pressure plate and tapping the bellhousing (clutch fork and all) into position. Otherwise, it fit good and was very flat (+-.001"). The only other issue was with a single bolt directly above the starter hump. I couldn't get anything but a modified open end wrench on it. Had to torque it 1/6 turn at a time and couldn't get a torque wrench on it. Could've if I wanted to modify a crowfoot, but I was already pissed at that point.
The Keisler kit and instructions are excellent. It fit perfectly, with NO cutting or fabrication, and took 4-6 hours. There were only two or three things that were frustrating...The single most frustrating thing was having my good jack stolen from the shop. I couldn't get the car up high enough to work comfortably. Damn theives. The upper-right bolt that threads into the bellhousing is hard to get a socket on because of the close proximity to the casting webs. Make sure you've got a short, THIN wall socket. An open end wrench WON'T fit, neither will a deep socket. A swivel socket (not a swivel extension...I don't that would fit either) might, but I didn't have one that would take 65 ft-lbs, so I guessed the torque on that one, too. The spring pin that gets driven into the shifter ball socket is kinda hard to reach clear up in the tunnel...not enough room to swing a hammer. I also cringed every time I hit it. A small c-clamp would've been better, but I didn't have one. Along the same line, the dust cover for the gear selector is kinda hard to both attach (one screw is in a odd place) and seal because of location. All things considered, it was a joy to install. Probably the best aftermarket part I've used. Tied with DeWitts.
