Automatic to Tremec TKO-600 5-speed-'72 Buick Skylark/GS recreation

Discussion in 'U-shift em' started by CWilly, Dec 14, 2014.

  1. CWilly

    CWilly Owner of "The Money Pit"

    Ok I need some clarification...I purchased the Tremec-TKO-600 5-speed Elite Kit, which is meant for Automatic to Manual Conversions...the only thing I'm told I need is pedals & linkage...can any of you think of anything else I would need? I was told that I may need a "steering column collar"? Sound right? I mean I already found out that the Buick 350 Motor has a different crank for automatic & manual...which I'm having the machine shop deal with...

    Any feedback would be greatly appreciated...
     
  2. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    Likely there are many more items needed like:

    Speedo cable
    Manual Speedo
    Rear end gear ratio change
    Conforming pressure plate, clutch and throw out bearing
    Drive tunnel hump
    Issue with drive tunnel clearance
    new drive shaft couple and length correction
    shift lever location issue?
    pinion angle issue?
     
  3. BillA

    BillA Well-Known Member

    What's in the kit? Based on that I can tell you what you will and won't need.
     
  4. philbquick

    philbquick Founders Club Member

    I think I'll stick with my Saginaw 4 speed with over drive (8 speed).
     
  5. gstewart

    gstewart Well-Known Member

    A friend has a '66 impala ss with 4 spd muncie + the add on overdrive. He love it.
     
  6. philbquick

    philbquick Founders Club Member

    That must be a Gear Vendors unit. Mine is all Saginaw. In the late 60s early 70s Saginaw made a fully synchronized 3 speed with overdrive. That overdrive unit also fits onto a Saginaw 4 speed. It will go on to any ratio, I have two, one with a 2.54 first gear the other has a 3.11 first gear. It's really an eight speed, I can use overdrive in any gear.
     
  7. gstewart

    gstewart Well-Known Member

    The o/d is Gear Vendors.
    I seem to remember that the middle '70's to '81 camaros with the 4 spd tranny, had a 4th gear which was overdtive.
     
  8. philbquick

    philbquick Founders Club Member

    As far as I know they never came from the factory that way. I have an article from one of the car magazines on how to do the conversion. They had a pre T5 5 speed that they put in the Skyhawks that wouldn't take much HP.

    That gear vendors set-up is nice but it's $2,300.
     

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