Tremec Five Speed Conversion

Once the transmission is bolted to the bellhousing, the gearbox can be supported with the custom Keisler crossmember. Even with the exhaust in place, the fully boxed crossmember slips in more easily than the stock TH350 piece did. It uses a standard GM-style trans mount when used with the PerfectFit custom tailhousing. We upgraded to a Lakewood polyurethane mount and bolted it all up with the provided hardware.

The Keisler kit even includes a complete driveshaft fitted with the proper Ford C6-style slip yoke and U-joints. We kept our fingers crossed as we slipped it into place, and it fit almost exactly as the stocker had with the TH350.

Before moving topside, the clutch rod must be installed between the Z-bar and the clutch fork. It's adjustable and should be set to fit snugly between the two. Don't leave the stock-type retention spring off (not shown), or the rod can pop off the fork during quick shifting.

The Keisler shifter is designed to accept a Hurst style handle, and while Keisler an provide a stock-appearing one. We opted to order an after-market-style right from Hurst. The proper Hurst stick for a '69 Camaro, with or without console, is still available under PN 538-7436.

Even the little details are addressed with the kit, like the custom speedo cable that has the right Ford-style end to fit the trans combined with a proper '69 Chevy speedometer connection on the other end. Keisler can provide the proper driven gear to calibrate the speedo with the rearend gear ratio.

To finish this off, we ordered the proper four-speed console plate from Classic Industries along with the shift "tunnel" that's supposed to fit beneath it (not shown here). The crowning touch is a classic white Hurst shift knob, subtly engraved with the five-speed pattern. Yeah, we know it isn't absolutely correct for a '69, but we dig it. The console plate is drilled to accept the stock four-speed pattern plaque, or Keisler makes a five-speed piece.