The manual trans DOES make the car more fun to drive. I did the TKO 600 swap in my '70 Charger and even there, I had to cut and build a "doghouse" to make room.
Why didn't you do this job yourself?
My Duster is under the knife....TKX going in
- Thread starter jcolman
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Why didn't you do this job yourself?
jcolman
Well-Known Member
First, I know my limits as a mechanic. Second, I don't have a lift in my garage. Third, I wanted it done right.
The car lift is a huge help.
My thread on this very topic...
Tremec 5 speed conversion in a 1970 Charger
My thread on this very topic...
Tremec 5 speed conversion in a 1970 Charger
jcolman
Well-Known Member
I know. I helped my next door neighbor install one in his garage years ago. He's since moved on and took the lift with him.
DionR
Well-Known Member
No pictures of the process? Glad to hear it is progressing nicely.
jcolman
Well-Known Member
No real updates yet. I stopped by the shop Saturday and the tunnel was finished but they had not yet installed the transmission.
You got some more pictures or are you just gonna blab about it for three pages?
jcolman
Well-Known Member
I'll post pics when the shop sends me more. I'm just answering questions as they come.
The physical act of installing the transmission is not that hard. There are a bunch of things associated with a swap like this that take time.
You HAVE to measure the bellhousing runout as it relates to crankshaft centerline. Most of the time you'll need to remove the dowels in the block and use offset dowels.
There can be exhaust system rerouting needed. The speedometer is now electronic, requiring some wiring changes. Seats and carpeting come out. Welding of the floor patch. Changing the automatic brake pedal to the clutch and brake pedals. The installation of the hydraulic clutch setup after measuring to see if the travel will be adequate....
You HAVE to measure the bellhousing runout as it relates to crankshaft centerline. Most of the time you'll need to remove the dowels in the block and use offset dowels.
There can be exhaust system rerouting needed. The speedometer is now electronic, requiring some wiring changes. Seats and carpeting come out. Welding of the floor patch. Changing the automatic brake pedal to the clutch and brake pedals. The installation of the hydraulic clutch setup after measuring to see if the travel will be adequate....
jcolman
Well-Known Member
I know....that's why I'm not doing all the work. I'd rather pay a professional to do the job right. Besides, I'm too old to be crawling around under a car on jack stands, trying to do the work by myself.
DionR
Well-Known Member
I could be wrong, but pretty sure the TKX has a mechanical speedometer option.
jcolman
Well-Known Member
It has both. My car is already set up for electronic speedo.
jcolman
Well-Known Member
I'll blab some more with these photos from last week. Still waiting on new photos to come in.
Old tranny out. I was able to sell it along with the center console.
Before all the cutting began
I think I already posted this one
Don't know why they sent me this but oh well
Hello my pretty!
jcolman
Well-Known Member
The cutting has commenced
Soon.....very soon.
Soon.....very soon.
Well hell I guess that's better than nuthin. lol
jcolman
Well-Known Member
I just spoke with the shop and asked them to please send me more pics. The shop owner said that "the guys probably have a 100 photos that they've posted on instagram". I asked him to send them to me as I'm not a IG user. He also said that the transmission should be in and ready to rumble in a day or two.
SLOPAR72
Well-Known Member
You have a great relationship with this shop. They are knocking the work out. Congrats on having that in your life......
JW
MopaR&D
Nerd Member
Funny I'm only 30 but I can't bring myself to start an IG account just seems like a waste of time, most of what's on there is thirst bait anyway (profiles of girls in tight workout clothes doing butt exercises lol). Blacefook is more than enough for me screw all the rest.
jcolman
Well-Known Member
I'm quite pleased with this particualar shop. Not the cheapest by far, but they do good work. Plus the mechanic who is lead on my car is a Mopar enthusist who owns an A body and. I believe, an E body car.
Badass man. I'm usin this as inspiration for my T5 swap into Vixen.
SLOPAR72
Well-Known Member
Speed, quality, and price. You only get 2 of the 3. Sounds like everyone is on board. You just want your car done within a reasonable amount of time and a fair price. It's rare these days....
JW
Keith Mopar
Mopar Nut
I'd like to see more tunnel pics if you get lots. I'd like to put that trans in an Early A body if possible. I think the TKX is my best bet. I was waiting for the 855 but gave up on that trans after a friend received one and had huge shifting problems with it.
For any of those interested, my full T56 installation can be found here My "new" '74 Duster- or why I need a project like a hole in the head
The T56 does require a little more tunnel and crossmember work, although there is a full crossmember replacement available for it. It’s also a bit more expensive. But there’s also a lot of overlap, you’re cutting the tunnel, crossmember, installing a hydraulic clutch etc with the TKX as well.
Not trying to steal anyone’s thunder, just throwing it out there. I also considered a TKO, 855, etc before deciding on the T56- if I was gonna cut anyway, I might as well cut for a T56 magnum. I have a complete list with links for everything I installed.
And I can’t wait to see the rest of the pics of the TKX install too, it looks like a great install and a T56 isn’t right for everyone!
The T56 does require a little more tunnel and crossmember work, although there is a full crossmember replacement available for it. It’s also a bit more expensive. But there’s also a lot of overlap, you’re cutting the tunnel, crossmember, installing a hydraulic clutch etc with the TKX as well.
Not trying to steal anyone’s thunder, just throwing it out there. I also considered a TKO, 855, etc before deciding on the T56- if I was gonna cut anyway, I might as well cut for a T56 magnum. I have a complete list with links for everything I installed.
And I can’t wait to see the rest of the pics of the TKX install too, it looks like a great install and a T56 isn’t right for everyone!
72Duster440
Well-Known Member
I'd love to do this swap behind my big block. Keep posting pics, I like the updates.
jcolman
Well-Known Member
Latest pics from shop
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