5 speed in and lovin' it

[gmc67swb]

JUST THOUGHT I'D LET YALL KNOW I GOT MY 5 SPEED IN OVER THE WEEKEND. DROVE TO WORK THIS MORNING, NEVER GOT ABOVE 2000 RPMS. CRUISE AT 60MPH IS ABOUT 1800. I CAN HEAR THE RADIO NOW. MAYBE I CAN PASS A GAS STATION WHILE I'M AT IT. I'LL GET SOME PICTURES OF UNDER SIDE TRANS TUNNEL AND INSIDE SHIFT LOCATION IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED. CAN ALSO LIST PARTS INVOLVED IN THE SWAP IF ANYONE WANTS.


LOOK AT ME BANGIN' GEARS LIKE THE SMILEY GUY!!!!!!WOOO HOOOO

[68_Step]

I would love to see the pictures and the parts list! What type of five speed? I would like to hear my radio too!

[Hutch]

Could you even supply some pics that would be awesome.
5-speed sounds like fun to me.

Have fun

[chevy2racr]

what type of 5 spd? t-5?

[gmc67swb]

THE TRANNY IS A TREMEC 3550(TKO). I'LL TRY TO GET SOME PICS UP SOON. I DON'T HAVE A DIGITAL CAMERA. HAVE TO BORROW ONE.
THINGS I NEEDED....
1. 26 SPLINE CLUTCH DISC
2. C-4 SLIP YOKE
3. CONVERSION U-JOINT F$RD/GM
4. SHORTENED DRIVE SHAFT(MINE IS ONE PIECE)
5. USED OLD HURST SHIFT HANDLE
6. MID SHIFT CONVERSION KIT AVAILABLE FROM DEALER

I CHOSE THIS SET UP BECAUSE IT'S DURABLE AND THE EASE OF INSTALL I.E. NO HYDRAULIC CLUTCH TO FULL WITH. YOU RETAIN OLD CLUTCH SET UP. FOR MORE SPECS ON THE TRANS GO TO FORTESPARTS.COM OR 5SPEEDTRANSMISSIONS.COM

[Jesse 67 c-10]

geez sounds nice! what gears ya runnin in there? also if I could what did that tranny set you back? wondering for comparison to my swap. ya, not havin to go hyd clutch would have been nice!
Thanks!
Jesse

[crazy longhorn]

Cool! I have been looking at the tremec's for a while, & the TKO really looks like a nice box(i hate auto trannies!). which OD ratio did you get? bet you are havin fun doin this

[Jesse 67 c-10]

hmm, they need one of those little guys that does that 5 times..

[CoryM]

Cool man, I know a few people here are interested to see what they are like. Id like to see pics of the fit as well as total cost. What bellhousing? 12" clutch? When you start putting it through the gears hard I would like to see an update to see if you are still happy. What about a rear crossmember? What did you use?
CoryM

[chevyhouse]

please post all the pics you can, i am going with a tremec once i get the cash saved up. does the mid shift point match up with factory holes? i suppose that if i got the GM version that fortes is advertising the swap would be even eaisier. check this link out http://www.fortesparts.com/tremec/tr3550.html

[gmc67swb]

Originally posted by CoryM
Cool man, I know a few people here are interested to see what they are like. Id like to see pics of the fit as well as total cost. What bellhousing? 12" clutch? When you start putting it through the gears hard I would like to see an update to see if you are still happy. What about a rear crossmember? What did you use?
CoryM

TRIED TO KEEP IT AS CHEAP AS POSSIBLE. WENT BACK WITH ORIGINAL 10" CLUTCH. AS FOR THE CROSS MEMBER, MINE IS UNDER THE BELL HOUSING...NOTHING UNDER THE TAIL SHAFT. MY TRUCK WAS ORIGINALLY A STRAIGHT 6. THE 327 SITS IN THE 6 SPOT, SO MY PLACEMENT IN THE FLOOR MAYBE DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS. I PROMISE GUYS, SOON AS I GET TO BORROW A DIGITAL CAMERA I'LL POST SOME PICS(SPENT ALL MY MONEY ON THE TRANNY SWAP). I GASSED UP TODAY AND BUSTED OUT THE CALCULATOR. GOT A HAIR OVER 18MPG WITH SOME TRAFFIC. THAT'S WITH 3.54 GEARS. TRANNY WAS $1675, MID SHIFT $206 PLUS DRIVE SHAFT SHORTENING AND NEW SLIP YOKE AND CLUTCH DISC(26 SPLINE)

[CoryM]

Not bad man. Looks like you got a good price on that tranny... where did ya get it? What does tremec say about no rear Xmember though? Personally I would run one but I tend to be hard on drivetrains and IMO a rear xmember is a better setup. You sure that was a 10" clutch? I thought most trucks had 11" or 12". Mine is a 12". So whats the top speed with the 5th? .
Glad youre happy.
CoryM

[gmc67swb]

GOT THE TRANNY AT STANDARD TRANS IN FT.WORTH. I TALKED TO ONE OF THE GUYS AT FORTES(TREMEC DEALER), HE SAID THE REAR CROSS MEMBER(OR LACK OF) WAS NOT A PROBLEM. NOT SURE ABOUT TOP SPEED. I'M POSITIVE IT'S A 10". IF I SWAP TO LITTLE MORE POWERFUL EFI MOTOR I'LL PROBABLY DO THE 11". I WAS JUST TRYING TO AVOID CHANGING MY SET UP. MY STARTER BOLTS TO THE BELL HOUSING, AND I'M NOT SURE IF I WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE IT TO STEP UP TO THE LARGER CLUTCH OR IF I CAN FIND A STARTER THAT WILL STILL BOLT TO THE BELL HOUSING AND WORK WITH THE LARGER FLY WHEEL.

[Willy Prost]

Congratulations on getting the tranny in. I am getting ready to do the same swap. I got a couple of questions/comments.

> Did you need to use the high hump tranny cover or are you still low hump tunnel of the original 3-speed?

> I noticed in your photos from last week that the mid-mount shifter pictured had the s-shaped handle with what looks like threads for a late model mustang shift handle. But today you mentioned that you used a hurst shift handle with the mid-mount shift. Did your mid mount shift conversion have the short stub with the two bolt holes to mount a Hurst handle?

> You just spent a couple of grand for a real nice transmission. May I suggest that you get a auto tranny crossmember to help support that investment? A new one from Early Classic is only $95 + shipping. That's what I got for mine. I guess you could get a used one for less.

[CoryM]

Ok, if you upgrade go to a 12" clutch. They came in 3/4T trucks. You will need a 12" clutch, flywheel, bellhousing and starter. Is the clutch a stock replacement? If you start hammering on that 10" clutch with all that weight you may break them. I broke three 12" clutches on my 70 in 1.5yrs so a 10" wouldnt have survived long. THe clamping power of a 12" is waaaaay more than a 10". Just a FYI. WHat does the shifter feel like? very light and smooth (like a honda) or a little heavy and kind of stiff (like an old 4 spd)? Just curious.
CoryM

[gmc67swb]

Originally posted by Willy Prost
Congratulations on getting the tranny in. I am getting ready to do the same swap. I got a couple of questions/comments.

> Did you need to use the high hump tranny cover or are you still low hump tunnel of the original 3-speed?

> I noticed in your photos from last week that the mid-mount shifter pictured had the s-shaped handle with what looks like threads for a late model mustang shift handle. But today you mentioned that you used a hurst shift handle with the mid-mount shift. Did your mid mount shift conversion have the short stub with the two bolt holes to mount a Hurst handle?

> You just spent a couple of grand for a real nice transmission. May I suggest that you get a auto tranny crossmember to help support that investment? A new one from Early Classic is only $95 + shipping. That's what I got for mine. I guess you could get a used one for less.

I USED THE STOCK HUMP. IT IS VERY CLOSE AT THE TOP BUT DOES NOT TOUCH.

AS FOR THE SHIFTER, IF YOU LOOK CLOSE THERE ARE LARGE THREADS AND THEN NO THREADS AT ALL, ABOUT 3 INCHES. I GOT A 3/8-16 DIE AND RAN SOME THREADS FOR MY HURST T-HANDLE. I'M USING THE PICTURED SHIFT HANDLE. THE TRANNY COMES WITH THE REAR LOCATION SHIFTER MOUNTED(STUB WITH 2 HOLES). I'M STILL IN THE AIR ABOUT THE LOCATION OF THE HANDLE. YOU COULD CUT AND WELD THE STUB AND THEN MOUNT A HURST STICK. MY ORIGINAL HURST STICK(FUNKY SHAPE FOR THE BENCH SEAT) DID LINE UP WITH THE HOLES ON THE STUB. BUT THERES NO WAY I'M MOUNTING A 2 FOOT LONG STICK ON THAT TRANNY.

BETWEEN MY FATHER AND I WE'VE RAN WITH NO CROSS MEMBER UNDER THE TAIL OF ALL OUR TRANNYS SINCE PURCHASING THE TRUCK IN 1980. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. OF COURSE THIS TRUCK IS TRUELY A DAILY DRIVER. AT LEAST A 100 MILES A DAY. SO I TRY NOT TO BANG ON IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. BUT IF YOU KNOW SOME KIND OF DRAW BACK PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I DON'T WANT TO TRASH A GOOD TRANNY..ALSO WOULD THE CROSS MEMBER INTERFERE WITH MY DUAL EXHAUST 2 1/2"

[gmc67swb]

CORY M,

AS FOR THE SHIFTER FEEL...NEVER FELT A HONDA BEFORE.
I CAN TELL YOU IT'S JUST LIKE A LATE MODEL CAMARO WITH A SHORT THROW SHIFTER. VERY POSITIVE AND FIRM. YOU'LL ALWAYS KNOW WHEN YOU'RE IN GEAR/NEUTRAL. DETENTS ARE VERY STIFF.. I PERSONALLY LIKE IT. FEELS LIKE MY BUDDYS CAMARO WITH THE PRO 5.0 SHIFTER.

[Jesse 67 c-10]

What are the specs on your 327 to get 18mpg?
thats awsome! I'm getting 14 maybe. All stock? If your thinkin efi, what way would you go? Your gettin lots of questions but its sounds like you did an awsome job! Thanks!
Jesse

[Bhull2]

No pics yet? Come on, were dyin' here

[Huck]

Welcome to the 5 speed club!!

[gmc67swb]

Originally posted by Jesse 67 c-10
What are the specs on your 327 to get 18mpg?
thats awsome! I'm getting 14 maybe. All stock? If your thinkin efi, what way would you go? Your gettin lots of questions but its sounds like you did an awsome job! Thanks!
Jesse

ALL STOCK EXCEPT FOR CAM AND INTAKE..CAM IS 442 INT 465 EXH..INTAKE IS PERFORMER RPM...KEEP IN MIND I'M CRUISING AT 60 TO 63 MPH..AS FOR THE EFI, I WAS CONSIDERING THE EDELBROCK PRO FLO, IF THE BUDGET ALLOWS..

[gmc67swb]

Originally posted by Bhull2
No pics yet? Come on, were dyin' here

I PUT ONE UP...SORRY NOT ON THIS POST. IF YOU LOOK AT 5 SPD SHIFTER LOCATION THERE IS A PIC OF THE SHIFTER IN THE CAB...I BOUGHT A CAMERA LAST NIGHT..SO I WILL PROBABLY JACK THE TRUCK UP AND GET SOME PICS OF THE UNDER SIDE. IT WILL MORE THAN LIKELY BE ON SUNDAY, I HAVE TO WORK SATURDAY

[Jesse 67 c-10]

geez thats good, probably still has decent power too. I guess I have 373 gears so that brings my rpm up. other than that I have vortechs and a 1406 carb. hmm I spose the carb is hurtin me as I need to dial it in right yet. I guess it all depends how you drive it!
Thanks
Jesse

[gmc67swb]

A LITTLE FYI JESSE. I HAVE 3.54 GEARS, .68 5th GEAR AND 28" TALL TIRES. DON'T FEEL BAD AT ALL. THAT 18MPG IS DRIVING LIKE A GRANDPA. I WAS MAKING A CONCIOUS EFFORT TO TAKE IT EASY. I USUALLY HAVE A LEAD FOOT.

[Lumpy]

gmc67swb,
Please post some pics as soon as possible! I am dying to check them out. I am going to put the same tranny in mine. Thanks....Lumpy