Thread: 6Spd Tremec into a '66 Chevelle

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This car was an original 4spd car, and the owner wanted to upgrade to 6 sp. He bought a complete kit - they didn't explain the kit is designed for a 5speed and nothing would fit like they said it would. Typical 'kit'
I had to cut out the entire trans tunnell, leaving a lip from the firewall. The bolts from the clutchcan to the trans cannot be accessed from below, the tunnell will have to be watertight, removable and seal to the driveshaft tunnel. I decided 18ga for the sheetmetal and since the floor was now weak from cutting it would have to have some reinforcement.
The 1st pic shows the one of the floor reinforcement strips and the new halo i made for the tunnel lip, they have 1/4-20 captive nuts welded into them.
The 2nd pic is the nut receiver strips welded in, trans is pulled back from the clutch can (sfi QuickTime can, McLoed 2disc clutch).
The 3rd pic is the transtunnell, basic forming, this is just what i rolled out to start with.
The 4th pic is the tunnell, now better developed, bolted into the floor etc in a trial fit.
The 5th pic is the Tremec bolted to the can, now you can see why the tunnell has to be removable. The tranny is huge, this version here is good to 700ft lbs of torque, i'm told (i just hope it wasn't from the same guy that sent the template to cut a little piece out of the tunnell).

5 pics is all they'll let me load. I have a couple more to complete the installation and they're on the next post.
thanks for looking, oj

the 6th pic is the tunnell, better developed, in for a trial fit. The tranny is bolted up. shifter in place. Pockets had to be cut into the tunnell for the console, tail section has yet to be made.
The 7th pic is the finished tunnell test fitted, the tail section joins to the driveshaft tunnell - it is abbreviated because for glove box clearance in the rear of the console. The tunnell is bolted in with 14 1/4-20 fasters and makes the entire area very strong. The welding is left 'as is', no finishing, stretching, planishing nothing.
This took me longer than a half a day.
Thanks for looking, oj

Trans tunnel looks good but molded carpet will no longer fit that car,its time for custom cut and sew now.

You're right about the carpet. Worse than that, i finished it yesterday and did the test drive and it was all ok. The owner drove it home, about 30 miles, highway speed and by the time he got home the tranny ate up 4th gear! There are a few phone calles being made! I am just sick.

I hate when things like that happen.

Hi ojh,
Are you using a mechanical clutch linkage?