You say you can't hear your friend over the roar of that mighty Mouse at highway speeds? You can't pick up girls because of the noise, and while your trusty steed is fast, it won't pass a gas station.
The solution to all of your problems is as close as your phone! Forte's (pronounced for-tays) Parts Connection in Burlington, Massachusetts, can supply you with a modern five-speed overdrive Tremec TKO transmission that will handle up to 425 lb-ft of torque from your Mouse motor.
Mike Forte also offers the transmission you order with the shifter set up in the stock location for your ride. This is a boon to all of the Camaro and Chevelle folks who have faced the daunting task of locating a transmission with the shifter in the proper location for their vehicle. For you Ford fans out there, the Tremec was made for the Blue Oval brand originally, so you can obtain the same transmission and installation goodies from Forte's.
Forte's also offers a complete kit for the conversion of an automatic transmission car to the Tremec transmission. The kit components are from McLeod and include a scattershield and adapter plate, clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel. Mike and his staff will also work with you to supply all the peripheral items needed to execute a successful swap into your formerly automatic-shifted ride.
In addition, Rick's First Generation Camaro in Athens, Georgia, has all of the linkages, console parts, trim parts, and, most importantly, the proper assembly and wiring manuals to help you do the job properly.
Our project revolves around a '68 Camaro equipped with a ZZ4 350ci small-block crate engine and a new 3.73-geared 12-bolt with positraction. The original TH350 was tired, and the 3,000-rpm buzz at highway speed had long since gotten old. It was time for a change. Follow along as we dive right in.
Install Tips* The block plate for the scattershield must go on before the flywheel. Torque each flywheel bolt to 65 lb-ft. Always use a new pilot bushing.
* It's easier to fill the Tremec TKO with 3 quarts of GM syncromesh transmission fluid before installing the trans, but you must install the slip yoke to prevent losing the fluid out the tailshaft!
* Always use a clutch alignment tool or a dummy shaft and torque the pressure plate and clutch assembly to the flywheel at 35 lb-ft. Since the distributor was removed, remember to mark the flywheel position because the flywheel will definitely move when you torque the bolts.
* The transmission is secured with four 11/42-inch bolts torqued to 35 lb-ft. Draw the bolts up evenly since this seats the alignment ring on the front of the Tremec and ensures proper alignment of the input shaft and the crankshaft.
* With the interior removed, this is the time to add insulation. B-Quiet "brown bread" was used and was very easy to install. B-Quiet can also furnish thicker insulation if you are planning to enhance sound attenuation.
What Does It Cost? Prices shown are current as of November 2003, not including shipping or tax.
Forte's Parts Connection Tremec 3550 $1,675 Shifter setup for {{{Camaro}}} {{{300}}} Yoke, 31-spline 125 Crossmember 125 {{{Pilot}}} and throwout bearing 40 Bolt kit 20 Floor boot 24 Shifter handle and knob 75 Clutch fork and pivot ball 55 10.5-inch clutch 259 Steel flywheel 225 Scattershield 259 Total (Forte's Parts Connection) $3,182 Livengood Fabrication Fabrication of console filler box 40 LP Gear Assemble and balance driveshaft; universal joints 165 Transmission fluid (GM dealer) 24 Rick's First Generation PT65 Pedal pad kit 33 PT1 Brake and clutch pedal assembly 65 PT77 V-8 thru F/W gas pedal assembly 55 CL2 Small-block clutch linkage kit 95 CL7 Small-block return spring extension wire 4 CL6 Clutch return spring 5 Console kits and individual parts: CAC1 Assembled automatic console (no gauges)* 369 CP47 Console two-piece housing 159 CP8 Console door lid and arm 32 CP55 Console door hinge 18 CP9 Console door spring 2 CP62 Console seatbelt clip 10 CP56 Ashtray lid 20 CP95 Ashtray lid retainer and pivot pins 6 CP96 Ashtray lid springs 6 CP46 Mount bracket 15 CP114 Spread nuts 6 CP115 Spread nut installation tool 4 CP7 Rear console lamp lens 9 CP72 Rear console lamp reflector plate 8 CP42 Console automatic trans shift plate 40 CG68 Console gauge unit 379 85115 Console wiring harness 45 CAM68 Assembly manual 20 WDM68 Wiring manual 6 GWM79 RS and console gauge wiring diagram 6 CSM68 Chassis shop manual 30 *(cost not included in total) Subtotal $1,307 Grand Total $4,489Final ThoughtsIt is important after an installation of this magnitude to conduct conservative testing. This car also received a full chassis restoration and upgrade consisting of a Hotchkis Performance TVS kit, Master Power front power disc brakes, Sean Murphy Q-Jet carb, and AGR power steering. Forte's recommends a gentle break-in until 200-300 miles have been accumulated on the transmission, then no full-throttle blasts until 1,000 miles have been logged.
The transmission was checked for proper operation as per Forte's directions. This involved running the trans through all gears for 5 minutes with the rearend supported on jackstands. This also facilitated checks for any unusual vibrations.
The Camaro has now been driven about 300 miles-the Tremec is smooth, and Fifth gear is fantastic for highway cruising with 1,800 rpm at 60 mph. First gear is capable of rotating local neighborhoods into the next county behind the great low-end torque of the ZZ4. It was well worth the effort.
Spec Chart Tremec TKO Five-Speed Transmission Weight: {{{100}}} pounds Torque capacity: 425 lb-ft Gear ratios: 1st: 3.27:1 2nd: 1.98:1 3rd: 1.34:1 4th: 1.00:1 5th: 0.68:1 Rev.: 3.00:1 Input shaft: 26-spline Output shaft: 31-spline
