5 speed install advice?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Originally Posted by flynhi
I'm expecting to receive my 5sp any day now and I have a coupla questions:
1. What is best way to remove fixed crossmember - cutting torch? Sawzall? or ?
2. What is best way to bolt in the crossmember from an auto car that I have? Drill and tap the frame? Somehow weld nuts into frame cavity or ?
Any other tips on changing crossmembers?
1. What is best way to remove fixed crossmember - cutting torch? Sawzall? or ?
2. What is best way to bolt in the crossmember from an auto car that I have? Drill and tap the frame? Somehow weld nuts into frame cavity or ?
Any other tips on changing crossmembers?
Keep us posted.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Brown78,
I'm confused. You installed the 5sp, drove it for two weeks and then decided to remove the center of the crossmember? Were you initially able to install the 5sp without cutting the crossmember? Did you cut the crossmember because you had to remove the 5sp for some reason?
About how wide is the center piece you cut out? I think I understand that you used 4x6x1/8 angle and bolted into the flat stock that you tacked into the inside of the remaining crossmember.
Am I getting this right?
I'm confused. You installed the 5sp, drove it for two weeks and then decided to remove the center of the crossmember? Were you initially able to install the 5sp without cutting the crossmember? Did you cut the crossmember because you had to remove the 5sp for some reason?
About how wide is the center piece you cut out? I think I understand that you used 4x6x1/8 angle and bolted into the flat stock that you tacked into the inside of the remaining crossmember.
Am I getting this right?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 42,487
Likes: 47
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 428
Likes: 2
From: Everfrost Second Life
If I may offer a suggestion...
If you feel you must stick the Ford T5 in the Chevy, do yourself a big favor.
You can easily stick a new $35 CAST IRON T5 GM bearing retainer on the Ford T5 and avoid the adapter plate thing and having to keep the crappy Ford aluminum retainer. You can also drill the bellhousing or modify the bell for the Ford pattern, and if you have a 2.95 ratio T5 even stick a GM input shaft in the front.
Modding the bell requires adding material to the bottom and redrilling it. You can simply get a very well made universal adapter plate from Mcleod industures for about $125.00, that should space the Ford input correctly if you want to go the plate route.
Want to be slick, just get a GM case. A new case is $70, a GM retainer $35. Now the only thing you have to do is get a GM input for $80.00. I rather spend the labor swapping out the front of the transmission so it bolts clean up to the factory bell, then go thru this whole fabrication exercise. If you have a 3.35 ratio T5 Ford, then your stuck with the Ford Style input.
Paul
www.5speeds.com
If you feel you must stick the Ford T5 in the Chevy, do yourself a big favor.
You can easily stick a new $35 CAST IRON T5 GM bearing retainer on the Ford T5 and avoid the adapter plate thing and having to keep the crappy Ford aluminum retainer. You can also drill the bellhousing or modify the bell for the Ford pattern, and if you have a 2.95 ratio T5 even stick a GM input shaft in the front.
Modding the bell requires adding material to the bottom and redrilling it. You can simply get a very well made universal adapter plate from Mcleod industures for about $125.00, that should space the Ford input correctly if you want to go the plate route.
Want to be slick, just get a GM case. A new case is $70, a GM retainer $35. Now the only thing you have to do is get a GM input for $80.00. I rather spend the labor swapping out the front of the transmission so it bolts clean up to the factory bell, then go thru this whole fabrication exercise. If you have a 3.35 ratio T5 Ford, then your stuck with the Ford Style input.
Paul
www.5speeds.com
Last edited by 5speeds; Jan 18, 2005 at 11:51 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
Originally Posted by Mod 77
Thanks for the info WESCH. I will cut the tunnel and fab a plate to cover the old hole. The Keisler TKO must have a different case to have the offset shifter.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Oyen Alberta
Originally Posted by redc3
not a different case, they use an offset block to move the whole shifter to the left. with an adapter plate to seal the old hole
