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.