Tremec 5 speed conversion in a 1970 Charger

[747mopar]

I went from driving mine 2,000 miles a year to 4,000 just because long hauls became relaxing and a **** ton cheaper... (456 getting 19 mpg).

Glad your liking it, great job on sorting everything out

 

[Kern Dog]

I want to do a mileage test. I don't have any data of what it could do with the 3.55 and automatic trans though.
Mileage isn't a priority but it is nice to get into the double digits.
In 2011, I made the first of 4 trips from Northern CA to Southern CA for the Big Mopar show in Van Nuys. It is almost 400 miles each way so I was used to filling the tank 3 times.
19 gallon tank, as are all the 1970 B body cars. Same 440 based 493 with Edelbrock heads, RPM intake, Demon 850 carburetor.
In 2011, I had the 292/509 cam but switched to 3.23 gears for the trip. I got mpg averages in the mid 10 range for the freeway portions.
2012, I had a Gear Vendors unit and 3.91 gears....that works out to 3.05 in final drive. I got a best of 12.83 on the way home.
Same wheels and tires sizes as I have now.

 

[Kern Dog]

I haven't done a mileage test yet. The last few days, I've been working on installing a headlight relay kit made by FBBO member Crackedback. I had a few snags along the way but with some help, it all works as intended.
I did put in a clutch pedal UP-stop bumper.

It is an upper control arm bump stop for A-B and E body cars.
Cheap and effective.

Just an unrelated note....I have almost 700 pictures of the various steps of this project. Every one of them was taken with this Iphone. The larger sized pictures were loaded directly to the computer. The smaller pictures were emailed to myself then downloaded that way. If anyone is contemplating this type of swap, feel free to contact me through PMs. I will help in any way that I can.

 

[Kern Dog]

Something else that I have noticed.
The car wants to run-on when I shut it down. I have the idle at around 1000 rpms. The cam isn't really wild so I could probably drop it down a little more. It rarely dieseled with the automatic.

 

[Kern Dog]

I was out in the car today. It is taking all sorts of self restraint to keep from hammering on this thing. I want to dump the clutch and peel out. I want to run it WOT and bang second gear.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

I was out in the car today. It is taking all sorts of self restraint to keep from hammering on this thing. I want to dump the clutch and peel out. I want to run it WOT and bang second gear.

Good! It proves your still alive! Normal car guy urges!!!

 

[hunt2elk]

I was out in the car today. It is taking all sorts of self restraint to keep from hammering on this thing. I want to dump the clutch and peel out. I want to run it WOT and bang second gear.

Lol. I can never make the recommended 500 mile break in either, so don't feel alone.

 

[440+6]

Don't understand the 500 mile break in, their transmissions have been used in production cars for years, do all those require a break in period also?

 

[ckessel]

Something else that I have noticed.
The car wants to run-on when I shut it down. I have the idle at around 1000 rpms. The cam isn't really wild so I could probably drop it down a little more. It rarely dieseled with the automatic.

See if you can retro fit one of the idle step up/anti-dieseling solenoids onto your carb. I did that on my Duster. Otherwise you have to drag the clutch a bit when shutting off. Holley 20-9 and 46-74. Scrounge around as their solenoid is pricey or find something similar. There was another type I remember that used a dashpot. The bracket was different as it had a smaller hole that was threaded that allowed you to move the dashpot in and out for adjustment. There was a solenoid that was threaded too but you'll have to chase down one in a picture book or boneyard. Almost forgot. I did something like that too when I had the six pack in the Challenger. Had to do some whittling to make if fit but it worked.

 

[watermelon]

Kern - what RPM you shifting at when getting frisky with it?

ive got about 700miles on it but havent romped too hard. i think i have rev limit set to 4500rpm


watermelon

 

[Kern Dog]

With the automatic, I've shifted as high as 6200 but try to keep it under 6000. With this Tremec, I've yet to rap it to 6000 yet. I've had it 5500 or so but that was 2nd to 3rd. I've been easy on it out of the hole in 1st.

 

[watermelon]

dang...that sounds like Dennis H territory

i got to see what plug i have in my msd box. the MSD Atomic EFI is set to 4500. maybe ill bump them up. not sure why i set it there to begin with


watermelon

 

[Kern Dog]

I have never destroyed a transmission. I have had them start to fail and have replaced them. I do plan to lean on this one pretty hard though.

 

[BDF6]

That was a great and informative read, thanks for documenting the journey KD!
How many more miles before the break in is done?

 

[Kern Dog]

I think I have about 200 miles on it now. 300 to go!

 

[6872n73]

o be perfectly centered, it needs to shift .0135 to the LEFT. The offset dowels that I bought are the ones with the smallest offset, .007. I need to call Summit and order the next size up.

I'm about to order this .007 offset dowel part unless you want to sell yours Kern?

 

[Kern Dog]

Hello there, 68....
You don't want these. Look at pins from RobbMCPerformance. Their dowel pins are far superior. These Summit pins are like a 3 speed compared to a 5 speed.

 

[Kern Dog]

I'm getting better at rev-matching when down-shifting and didn't bump reverse at all today when downshifting from 5th to 4th!
There is a show in May about 80 miles North of here. That alone is worth 160 miles.
Still loving this whole thing!

 

[CoronetDarter]

There is a show in May about 80 miles North of here. That alone is worth 160 miles.
Still loving this whole thing!

Are you referring to Maxwell?

 

[Jesse6869]

Where the show at ? Is there a web site for it ?