Hey 545rfe trans guys....

I'm hoping that many of you have pictures of the center hump and the frame modifications you've done. I'm also hoping to see what people did for a trans mount.

Lets load this thread up with pictures so we can share our knowledge.

Riddler

Here's a few pics of my mods.

Where did you cut the frame? I'd like to see in process pics.

Riddler

You don't have to cut the frame, just the cross member.

Hey TC,
elevation wise,where is the bottom of the pan in relation to the frame rails?
You see how far up into the compartment I had to come to make them equal.
Also how far into the engine compartment is the tranny?
Andrew

wow tin you promissed me that picture a month ago

wow tin you promissed me that picture a month ago
Sorry rapid I forgot, what exactly do you want to see?

Sorry rapid I forgot, what exactly do you want to see?

i wanted to see the surgery in the trans tunnel

OK let me ask it this way, what is the distance between the centerline of the crossmember and the actual mounting point for the tranny mount?
Andrew

OK let me ask it this way, what is the distance between the centerline of the crossmember and the actual mounting point for the tranny mount?
Andrew

It's about 4-5" back from the CL of the crossmember. I'll see if I can get a actual measurement tonight.

Hey Tin,
is your car in a garage? if not I know i will have to wait for the spring thaw:-D
Andrew

i wanted to see the surgery in the trans tunnel

Here you Rapid, hope they help....

Here you Rapid, hope they help....

there you go tin... thats just what i was looking for. it was worth the wait http://deephousepage.com/smilies/kos.gif

Hey Tin,
is your car in a garage? if not I know i will have to wait for the spring thaw:-D
Andrew

Yes my car is in a garage, so you only have to wait for me to remember, sorry, I'll get it.

Subscribed. I too want all the info on this trans-implant I can gather.

I like what has been done to make these monster trans fit in the cars.
I have only begun but though I would add my two cents. I have made it fit now just need the mounts and supports. Still to cold outside in the garage to start.

looking good nice trim job. just have to make sure your cuts leave enough clearance for engine torque and vibration

Would it be any easier to cut the trans tunnel from something like a Dakota and graft it into the a-body floor pan ?

what do you guys think about a half inch clearance around the trans enough or should I try and get an inch?

what do you guys think about a half inch clearance around the trans enough or should I try and get an inch?

t-granger a half inch is probably adequate. i just threw that in there to get you to think. after all when your build is finished it would be upsetting to have the trans bouning off the bottom of the floor

Would it be any easier to cut the trans tunnel from something like a Dakota and graft it into the a-body floor pan ?

redfish i've done that several times i save trans tunnels just for that purpose.

I had a buddy who built a 57 Chevy (I know that was his first problem) And every time he shifted gears hard the trans would slap the bottom of the car. It was very disappointing to him. I do not want the same issues.

I think Half inch will be good enough, I think I have that now most every where.

Mounts might have a lot to do with the movement too. I would imagine polyurethane ones would keep everything pretty solid compared to rubber ones. Or just a straight hard mount, that would keep it in place, lol.

This is my new trans mount almost forgot to post it here as well.

Do these transmissions use the same cable drive for our speedometer ?

Do these transmissions use the same cable drive for our speedometer ?

The speedo is electronic, but I think you can buy an adapter to run a cable.

Nice Work! That aught to hold it in place...lol

very clean nice design

I'm kinda leary of this design. Two bolts holding the trans mount to the car and only one bolt holding the trans to the mount.

The metal work looks great, but I'd like to see more attachment points.

Are you leaving this a solid mount? I've been searching for a poly mount that will work for the 545. I know tincup went with McMaster Carr poly bushings and made them work but I'm hoping to find something more along the lines of a trans mount that will work.

Riddler

I'm hoping to find something more along the lines of a trans mount that will work.
Riddler

One of the websites related to this swap suggested a GM trans mount that was only an inch tall.

Yeah the prothane 7-1604.

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/ptp-7-1604_w.jpg

I'm thinking of buying this to use but it'll require a bracket to mount to the trans I think. What's the spacing between the studs/holes on the 545?

Riddler

Here's mine, two urethane mounts that screw into the trans. Keep it simple...

Well For some reason I cannot upload the picture of the trans mount Insulator but if you go to any part store and ask for part number 2659 you can get one. Google will show a picture of it. You only have to ream out a bolt hole slightly.

As for the mount I am still going to weld the back piece which will box it in on the bottom. Two Grade 8 bolts should hold it in place, but I am considering adding another hole as a security measure. With the weight of the trans even if the nuts came off those bolts would not move, But I am not going to take that chance, trust me.

With the weather the way it has been I finally finished it and wanted to show you guys what I had so far.

It is a solid piece and I am sure it will hold with no issue even the way it sits.

I like what Tincup did for his mount, but I did not have the room to weld something like that underneath. My exhaust would have hit for sure. As is it misses the pass side by...Well lets say the mount will not have to many coats of paint. Lol

Well For some reason I cannot upload the picture of the trans mount Insulator but if you go to any part store and ask for part number 2659 you can get one. Google will show a picture of it. You only have to ream out a bolt hole slightly.

As for the mount I am still going to weld the back piece which will box it in on the bottom. Two Grade 8 bolts should hold it in place, but I am considering adding another hole as a security measure. With the weight of the trans even if the nuts came off those bolts would not move, But I am not going to take that chance, trust me.

With the weather the way it has been I finally finished it and wanted to show you guys what I had so far.

It is a solid piece and I am sure it will hold with no issue even the way it sits.

Perhaps you could add a plate on the backside so it would also be on the otherside of the crossmember, ( sandwich the crossmember, like the original ) I think that would add a lot of strength. JMO.

P.S. Did you get that bushing out yet?

Granger is this what you used?

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/images/product_images/images/westar/wsem2659_updated.jpg

I still think the prothane mount would work if you bolted the slotted ends to the trans and made a cross member like tincups.

Anyone know the bolt spacing on the 545 trans where the trans mount is? I'd like to compair that to the prothane trans mount.

Riddler

I finally got that stinkin' bushing out, thanks T-grainger, I would have been there all week with pullers, they don't work. There is a bevel on the back side that prevents any type of puller from grabbing. Die grinder and carbide, went through it like butter.....:cheers:

Riddler, that is exactly what I used and the bolt pattern is only slightly off. You need to ream the holes slightly on the inside of both holes. I would have made one like Tincup, but as I said I just did not have the room in my duster to clear the exhaust with his set-up.

Tincup, I did make two pieces to do exactly like the factory mount is. I still have to weld the pieces together.

And as for the bushing it is still there I was focusing on the trans mount so I have to drop the trans out again and finish it.

Tincup Maybe I should finish mine like you did. Did you use a dremmel or just a drill for that?

Tincup Maybe I should finish mine like you did. Did you use a dremmel or just a drill for that?

I used a air die grinder..