[Chuck78]

The Mustang Cobra/GT whatever Tremec 3650 5 speed has the integrated bellhousing, as does the New Venture NV3500 5 speed on newer GM 1/2 ton trucks. These WILL NOT WORK whatsoever with mine, as the GMC V6 takes a specific bellhousing for the engine side bolt pattern, and also due to the extreme weight of the monster truck engine blocks (they are true truck engines, built like tanks and last 300,000+ miles), you need the extra support of the "rear engine mounts" as they were called, but really they are mounts on both sides of the bellhousing at the back of the engine crossmember.

Another thing is that the GMC engine takes a GMC flywheel, which has the pilot bearing in the flywheel like some of the old Pontiacs, so it takes a specific clutch (probably the same as the old late 50's Pontiacs) which is basically the same as most 11" musclecar clutches except the center hub with the splines protrudes out the opposite side of the clutch disc! A remanufacturer like Hite Parts Exchange here in Columbus, OH can rebuild the original 11 spline clutch and factory pressure plate like I had done, and can also take a standard GM Musclecar type 26 spline 11" clutch and dismantle it and reassemble it with the hub reversed, so it will not interfere with the pilot bearing - as the stock GMC setup is.

I was just mainly curious as to what people are doing for crossmembers aside from dropping huge amounts of cash on pre-packaged kits with custom crossmembers already made. Wondering how many people just made their own entirely, or if most people are taking an auto trans crossmember and making it work, having to modify it, etc. I have a 62 GMC with the X-frame setup, so not sure if the 63-72 crossmember will work at all, and the 60-62 is probably a much harder score to come by.

I'd love to fab my own up and have more pride in it, but that means more time spent figuring pinion shaft angle on the differential, and adjusting the drop height on the crossmember to get the transmission output shaft angle parallel to have proper driveline angle. More work, but if a crossmember costs $200, then I will be making my own!!!!

I see the mid shift kits from Pro 5.0 cost about $329 for everything but the shifter lever/handle. Not seeing much on the front shifters, but I would imagine the cost is similar. The location and any dash interference is what I am concerned about, but I'd like to have it as far forward as possible with a big kick back in the shifter at seat height so it is still within reach!

For the Rat Fink look, maybe a mid shift location with a real tall shifter/knob would be the best!