Tired of shouting over your SBC on the highway? Weary of stopping every 10 minutes (or so it seems) for gas? Forte's Parts Connection has the solution to your partial deafness and addiction to gas station snack cakes with their Tremec TKO 5 speed swap kit. We'll walk you through the install and break down how much it all costs. After the swap, just remember to stock up on junk food for long trips, you won't be stopping nearly as much.
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.
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The Tremec TKO is a compact five-speed with a great gear spread and great durability. The best part is that with a little persuasion, this trans bolts right into an early Camaro or Chevelle. | 
Forte's has produced a new transmission crossmember for Camaro applications. No drilling is required since the new brace mounts in the stock frame holes and the transmission mount bolt holes are slotted to allow the use of a Muncie trans mount. | 
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Rick's First Generation also supplied the entire manual transmission pedal assembly with all the necessary hardware to make this a bolt-in operation. |
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.
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Transmission installation is simplified with the engine tilted. First, mark the position of the rotor so the distributor can be reinstalled in the proper location. Remove the distributor to allow more "tilt" and prevent distributor damage. Remember to cover the distributor hole with a rag. | 
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The McLeod scattershield, pressure plate, and clutch are top-quality units designed for street/strip use. The diaphragm pressure plate requires less effort when you're stuck in traffic. | 
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The driver-side header must be removed in order to install the "Z" bar and clutch linkage. Remember to tape those exhaust outlets! Removal of the master cylinder/power brake booster will greatly ease the installation of the "Z" bar. (This would be a good time to install new header gaskets, if needed.) |