tko 500 trans install info please!

[73astregt]

hey guys has anyone actually put a tko 500 tremec into a 73 vega or astre? ive got a local guy that i can buy a new one from for better than it would cost to buy it off epay buy it now not even including the cost of shipping. question: did it fit in the tunnell without mods to the tunnell? did the 73 s come witrh the 350 turbo? do you have a twelve bolt rear in the car? what was the length of the drive shaft? help guys i dont want to fork out the dough on a trans thats going to force me to cut up the tunnell! thanks for your responce in advance! fred.

[monzaaddict]

Here are dimensions and photos next to a muncie. It looks to me like the tunnel will need to be massaged on an early car. A new crossmember will be needed as the mount is further back.

http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/dimensions.html

vega's & 4cyl monza's came with t250's - air cooled version of t350. v8 monza's 75/76 had turbo 350's - t350 might have been used on v6's too.

[73astregt]

thanks theres some really good info on that link! just hoping someone has already done this swap so ill know what im getting into. fred.

[73astregt]

geesh! somebody must have done this by now lol!

[73astregt]

Here are dimensions and photos next to a muncie. It looks to me like the tunnel will need to be massaged on an early car. A new crossmember will be needed as the mount is further back.

http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/dimensions.html

vega's & 4cyl monza's came with t250's - air cooled version of t350. v8 monza's 75/76 had turbo 350's - t350 might have been used on v6's too.

i knew the mount would have to be changed due to the longer length of the transmission as i had been following nic's motor and t5 swap in his vega but hes been slacking off lately! (just kidding nic) i also knew of the shifter location problem and the possable swap of the ford tailshaft to correct that. the tko 500 should clear up the shifter problem but clearance to the top and sides of the tunnell is my concern . i dont want to have to do major surgery to the tunnell like colin had to do with his t56 swap! my engine guy says the tko500 will handle a383 stroker motor no problem and i want that extra margin of reliability!

[Kenova]

I haven't done the swap, but I have looked into it for my Nova. From what I can tell, the TKO 500/600 are bigger than the T5. Considering that the H-body transmission hump was increased in size to better accomidate the turbo 350, I would guess that there is about the same amount of room in both the Vega and Nova.
To install a TKO 500/600 into a Nova requires the tunnel to be cut across the top (look at the second picture down in the following link). If you don't wish to cut the tunnel then a T5 may be a better choice. There are companies that build a T5 that would be as strong as a TKO 500.

http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/Nova- ... ll-WU.aspx

Ken

[Mark in INdiana]

Resurrecting this old post.
I’m getting ready to install a Tremec TKO 5 speed transmission and SBC in my 76 Vega. Has anyone done this Installation? If so, do you have any tips, hints, pointers?
I’ll be using the ACE motor mounts, SBC bell housing, hydraulic clutch throw out bearing, mechanical speedometer cable.
I’ll try using the factory transmission cross member, modifying as needed, for the trans mount and torque arm mounting for a 4th generation F-body torque arm attached to a Strange 12 bolt. Shifter is currently in the mid-mount location.
Thank you very much for any advice.
Regards,
Mark

[cosvega76]

Mark,

Be prepared for some tunnel surgery. I put one in my '65 El Camino and the kit included templates and sheet metal for the tunnel, and that's from Silver Sport Transmissions, who machine parts of the top of the trans for extra clearance. I got it done and it's fine, but if I would have known that Tremec was coming out with the new TKX it may have saved some work. If you haven't already purchased a transmission, I would suggest to check out the TKX.


Chuck

[Smiley]

I would go with the TKX also.

[Mark in INdiana]

I bought the TKO just before the TKX was released. Moving forward with the TKO. Thank you for the information.
Mark

[monzaaddict]

robert price on facebook has a tko in a ls vega

[monzaaddict]

this is in a 75 cosworth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFnogpmTHoE

[monzaaddict]

12 bolt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y1-rJb-7Vs