Tremec TKX 5 Speed Transmission Installation

[MySons68C20]

I love the whine of the Tremec, makes me smile every time I drive it.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by MySons68C20

I love the whine of the Tremec, makes me smile every time I drive it.

I did notice mine whines when coasting downhill in first gear.

[chipmaker 1985]

Heck yeah! Glad to see it come together. Super clean install! Thanks again for the write up. It motivated me to go ahead and jump in. I'm ordering my TKX from SST Monday.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by chipmaker 1985

Heck yeah! Glad to see it come together. Super clean install! Thanks again for the write up. It motivated me to go ahead and jump in. I'm ordering my TKX from SST Monday.

Awesome! You won't regret it

[MySons68C20]

Originally Posted by chipmaker 1985

Heck yeah! Glad to see it come together. Super clean install! Thanks again for the write up. It motivated me to go ahead and jump in. I'm ordering my TKX from SST Monday.

I have to say the TKX is a game changer for me sooo much more fun the "row the gears"!

[chipmaker 1985]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

Awesome! You won't regret it

Originally Posted by MySons68C20

I have to say the TKX is a game changer for me sooo much more fun the "row the gears"!

I'm so stoked about it. I had a 3rd gen camaro with a T5 in high school, I have missed that feeling of running through the gears with a V8 since the day I sold it.

SST has been super accommodating with setting me up, even let me split the order into 2 to help soften the shell-shock
to the Mrs and my wallet.

PJ, you gotta post a video after the break-in and see if you can bark 4th.

[pjmoreland]

You had good timing with the SST 10% off sale in September.

[pjmoreland]

I didn't like that the parking brake cable was rubbing on the bottom of the SST transmission crossmember, so I made two 3/8" thick spacers and put them between the frame and the crossmember. I removed one of the other 3/8" spacers I had above the transmission mount to keep the transmission at the same angle. I had to cut some little notches in the front Outer corners of the crossmember because it was hitting on some rivet heads for the cab mounts.

[pjmoreland]

Now I've got a little bit of clearance between the crossmember and the parking brake cable.

[chipmaker 1985]

Just wanted to check in and see if you've clocked any miles yet. I'm curious about the rpm at 60.

I ordered the same trans as you, got my pre-shipment pics today!

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by chipmaker 1985

Just wanted to check in and see if you've clocked any miles yet. I'm curious about the rpm at 60.

I ordered the same trans as you, got my pre-shipment pics today!

That's exciting! I've got 3.73 gears and 26.25" tires. I get just under 2000 RPM at 60 MPH.

[chipmaker 1985]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

That's exciting! I've got 3.73 gears and 26.25" tires. I get just under 2000 RPM at 60 MPH.

Hells yeah! That's what i was hoping to hear. I have the exact set up. 275-60-15 with a 3.73 rear. Hell, my truck is yours younger brother. 70 short step with 4x4 rally. Need to get a build thread started.

Thank you for taking the time to answer questions

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by chipmaker 1985

Hells yeah! That's what i was hoping to hear. I have the exact set up. 275-60-15 with a 3.73 rear. Hell, my truck yours younger brother. 70 short step with 4x4 rally. Need to get a build thread started.

Thank you for taking the time to answer questions

My rear tires are 255/60R15, so they are slightly smaller than yours. I'm planning on going with 275 next time.

[chipmaker 1985]

Cool deal, they look good with your stance. Would love to get my rig as clean as yours, but I still got a long ways to go.
Wish you many happy miles with your new stir stick.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by chipmaker 1985

Cool deal, they look good with your stance. Would love to get my rig as clean as yours, but I still got a long ways to go.
Wish you many happy miles with your new stir stick.

Thank you. I am really enjoying the new driving experience

[Chevy nutcase]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I didn't like that the parking brake cable was rubbing on the bottom of the SST transmission crossmember, so I made two 3/8" thick spacers and put them between the frame and the crossmember. I removed one of the other 3/8" spacers I had above the transmission mount to keep the transmission at the same angle. I had to cut some little notches in the front Outer corners of the crossmember because it was hitting on some rivet heads for the cab mounts.

Where is that crossmember from? My 66 is going to need one when my TKX goes in

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by Chevy nutcase

Where is that crossmember from? My 66 is going to need one when my TKX goes in

It's a Silver Sport Transmissions crossmember.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ist-xmg-23000

[typerr]

Do you have a photo showing your choice of shifter when shifted into second or fourth gear and how close the shift knob is to your seat or console? Is your seat at stock height? I'm trying to figure out the shifter for my TKX which also has a mid mount conversion but not yet on the road. Thanks.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by typerr

Do you have a photo showing your choice of shifter when shifted into second or fourth gear and how close the shift knob is to your seat or console? Is your seat at stock height? I'm trying to figure out the shifter for my TKX which also has a mid mount conversion but not yet on the road. Thanks.

I'm not near my truck right now, but I will take some photos when I can. All I have is this one photo that shows it in reverse. My seat is stock height. The flip-up center seat bottom cushion just barely brushes the shifter knob in reverse. This is a 16" shifter. I'm thinking 14" would be ideal.

[typerr]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I'm not near my truck right now, but I will take some photos when I can. All I have is this one photo that shows it in reverse. My seat is stock height. The flip-up center seat bottom cushion just barely brushes the shifter knob in reverse. This is a 16" shifter. I'm thinking 14" would be ideal.

Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for. I like the look of your shifter and boot. With my old T-5 and bench seat the shift knob would almost touch the seat. My new setup will have aftermarket buckets and a stock console but I'll play with the console mounting to gain clearance.

[chipmaker 1985]

I'm not trying to muck up your thread Pj, but I received my TKX from Silver Sport and was pretty disappointed. When they do the mid shift conversion they mill the rear shifter mount off of the tail housing and use a 2 bolt cover with sealant rather than the proper 6 bolt cover. Essentially giving you a "bastard" transmission case. They never tell you this. Contacted silver sport and they seem to care less.

Permanent case mods may not matter to some people, but I'm sick at my stomach about it.

Again, sorry to clutter up your thread but I thought that people reading this thread and considering the swap should be aware.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by chipmaker 1985

I'm not trying to muck up your thread Pj, but I received my TKX from Silver Sport and was pretty disappointed. When they do the mid shift conversion they mill the rear shifter mount off of the tail housing and use a 2 bolt cover with sealant rather than the proper 6 bolt cover. Essentially giving you a "bastard" transmission case. They never tell you this. Contacted silver sport and they seem to care less.

Permanent case mods may not matter to some people, but I'm sick at my stomach about it.

Again, sorry to clutter up your thread but I thought that people reading this thread and considering the swap should be aware.

All information on the subject is good information. I'm sure the SST mid shifter will work well. I wasn't too impressed by the need to cut those shafts, so that's why I went with a different mid shifter like I mentioned in the first post of this thread. If the SST mid shifter preserves the 5-4 reverse inhibit mechanism, then that is a good thing and something my mid shifter lacks.

[chipmaker 1985]

Thank you. I knew they cut the shafts but it didn't worry me too much. I'm a machinist, making a new shift rod is not big deal. If I decide to go back rear mount,no biggie. The multiple shift positions was a major buying point for me. Of the little correspondence I received they said they mill them down for extra clearance, which could be a good thing if you need the room.

The 2-bolt cover plate is pretty cheesy and looks like it came from a ebay DIY kit.
I have no doubt it should work fine, but it will always be in the back of my mind.

I just wish they would have told me it was going to be modified before I purchased it.

At thus point a sorry for the miscommunication would be awesome. But I have yet to receive even that.

But...I do have a TKX so it's not all bad. LoL

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by chipmaker 1985

But...I do have a TKX so it's not all bad. LoL

Yup!

Do you have access to a mill for personal projects? Have you considered making yourself a nice blanking plate out of something like 1/4" aluminum? I could measure the overall size of the original shifter and the locations of the holes for you, if you'd like.

[typerr]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

All information on the subject is good information. I'm sure the SST mid shifter will work well. I wasn't too impressed by the need to cut those shafts, so that's why I went with a different mid shifter like I mentioned in the first post of this thread. If the SST mid shifter preserves the 5-4 reverse inhibit mechanism, then that is a good thing and something my mid shifter lacks.

I used the Silver Sport kit for my TKX https://www.jegs.com/i/Engine+Chek/8...hoC5BgQAvD_BwE

Cutting the two shafts was very easy with the guide bushing provided in the kit. I had no idea ordering a converted transmission from Silver Sport was any different from using the above kit. I ordered all of my parts from a variety of sources. I'm using a Novak external slave coupled with a Captain Fab hydraulic clutch kit I already had from my previous T-5. When I installed the TKX attached to my new Blueprint 396 I quickly realized I needed to do a high hump as well. Cha-ching... I wish there was a kit to flip over my driveshaft carrier bearing to get my angles correct. On to the next project...