how hard is it to change out a 350 tranny to a say, tremec 6 speed, hydraulic.

currently have the auto, wantin a few more gears, hehe

thanks for the help

 

find a 4 speed car in a salvage yard and get the peddel assembly for the clutch, as well as the brake peddel(its a little bigger in a auto then manual). I believe you have a removable crossmember, so getting the 350 will be nice and easy(well....you know what i mean)...but you have have to fab a bracket to fit the 6 speed, as well as rework the center console(it may fit in the auto slot, but theres only one way to find out for sure). Other then that you just need lots of patience, and know how....oh and don't forget $$$$. I looked at this swap too...and if I do it, it won't be any time soon... :eek:

Good luck;
Daniel

 

krazy,
If your interested i know of a T-56 six speed out of a 95 trans-am (18K miles) with clutch and bell housing for around $1500
...redvetracr

 

I don't know how much hassle converting pedals, etc. to make a manual car, but, having the removable cross member will make going to a ROD 6 speed much easier. I sure love mine. A gear for every need!

Slightly shortened drive shaft
Shortened Turbo 400 rear trans yoke
fabricated rear trans mount
Enlarge hole in trans tunnel somewhat
Hole in center console for shifter lined up perfectly on my 69
Long Shifter that comes with trans if fantastic!

Absolutely no regrets!

Chuck

 

Tremec doesn't make a 6 speed, the pedals are the hardest part of the swap and if you want to go hydraulic get the parts from a mid 80's 1 ton pickup truck. They just about bolt right in.
Norval

 

yea, they make the t56, used to be borg warner, i dunno if 6 or 5 speed tho, dunno which would be the easiest.

i can find the stuff, could ya supply some pics of your installs guys?

 

Yeah, the tremec T56 is a 6-speed. Slick shifting tranny (have one in my '96 Z28). Very difficult to install in a C3:

The production version needs a hydraulic clutch. It also uses a special flywheel to accept the reverse-action type clutch. The Lt-1 production flywheel only works with one piece rear main seal.

There are some aftermarket companies that have some solutions, but they are $$$.

Also the T56 has electric speedo output only. JTR (Jags that run) can modify the tailhousing to mech speedo for $350.

So it is possible, but pretty complicated.

There's also a retrofit version of the T56 that uses the stock C3 bellhousing but the overall length (including bellhousing) is so long it doesn't look like it will fit in the tranny tunnel.

If you are set on a 6-speed you could look into the richmond 6-speed. Much easier to install.

Personally, I would go with the tremec 3550 or TKO. It is available in a GM version that bolts right up to a stock bellhousing, uses all C3 factory clutch and flywheel. Only mods are tranny mount, shifter hole in the floor and driveshaft length. 5th is 0.68:1 so you get a massive overdrive for comfy highway driving. 1st is 3.27:1 for good take off. The 3550/TKO is internal rail shifter so it shifts as nice as the T56. Much smoother than external rail such as T-10, Muncie or richmond ROD.

 

thanks guys, just looking for more mpg, and the 5 speed, dont like the 3-auto

how hard to install clutch linkage in an automatic? i have seen it on some peoples cars but they had the body off.

thanks again