Spot the Difference

[66 Sat]

Before

After

After years of internal debate I finally went ahead and got a TKX 5 speed.
Still breaking it in, still have to sort out the carpet and a few things, done about 200 miles so far, big difference.

 

[Mopar Hunter]

Did you do the install yourself?

That’s a nice upgrade, going from an automatic to manual.

 

[Splangj]

Looks like you added a tach too?

 

[ckessel]

Retraining your left leg?

 

[RJ Squirrel]

Great theft deterrent- nobody under 30 can drive it

 

[ckessel]

I grew up driving manual. Regardless if I'm operating an auto, I still use both feet on the pedals as thats what I'm used to. Drives my wife crazy. One on the gas, one on the brake or clutch.

 

[kiwigtx]

Very nice job....I assume you have a boot arranged to finish off the console hole.

 

[71RRHI]

I've been thinking of installing a 5 speed on one of my project cars. What was the hardest part of the conversion?

 

[66 Sat]

I didn't do the install myself. I've done nearly everything to this car on my own except the engine rebuilds, but even then I'll always do as much as I can myself, pull the engine, drop it off at the machine shop, re-install etc - I've never been one to just drop the car off and then pick it up all finished.

This was a bit different though, I was dreading doing the work on my back with the car on jackstands, so I gave it to an experienced transmission shop who is the main Tremec agent in Australia. They're only about 110 miles from my home which was also convenient. I still "prepped" the car myself, removing passenger seat, console, carpet etc so I felt I'd had some small input. I still had reservations about leaving my car and all the possible disasters, but they did an great job and it drives really well. I went with the 2.87-.081 which suits the 3.23 rear perfectly and drops the rpm by about 500 compared to the 727 at a 70 mph cruise.

So yesterday was spent soundproofing and re-installing the console, cutting the console lid (I need a different lid as the opening is a bit big but this is fine for now). There is a boot on the shifter but it's hidden inside the console - I may get a second larger to one to go over the top.

It's a real beast to drive now compared to the auto, adds a new dimension to the experience for sure.

 

[WileE]

Very nice !! Nice job, nice car !! Hope you enjoy it immensely !

 

[66 Sat]

Retraining your left leg?

Funny thing is the clutch is hydraulic and not that heavy, but after driving it for 2 days I jumped in my daily driver which has a meaty clutch by modern standards and I nearly put my foot through the floor! It was so light it felt like a toy car.

I'm going to have a huge left leg in a few weeks, will have to do extra weights on my right leg to balance it out.