subroc

iTrader: (2)

Found a tremec 3550 for sale locally. Guy says it has a ford bellhousing on it now and i would need to switch to a GM one. Is that all though? Did they make different spline counts depending on if it was for a ford or a chevy? I know i need a 26 spline input shaft and it should have a 31 spline output shaft if im not mistaken. The price is pretty reasonable at 1100 obo so im seriously considering it before i go through the trouble of putting a t5 behind my built 355. Im just trying to see what all is going to be involved in putting that in my car and if i would be biting off more than i can chew.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (15)

the output should be 31, the ford input should be 10 spline, you have to change the input shaft. You can get the conversion parts from Fortes Parts Connection.

you then need to deal with converting the speedo signal, you have a mechanical speedo, you you need to make sure it has a mechanical output, and you will have to adapt yours to it. I believe fortes has the part to do this, i think i have it in the garage fot that matter.

you need an adapter plate to bolt it to you bellhousing, since the t5 sits at a angle and the t3550 needs to sit straight up. that will also come from fortes. You might want to give them a call.

the trans crossmember needs to be lowered about 3/8 and moved back a little. might be enough slop if the holes already.

the biggest issue is this trans is really too tall to fit int he tunnel, and you end up having to lower the tailshaft to make it fit, which changes the angle of the engine and trans, making the output shaft point down quite a bit.

this makes less exhaust clearance for the crossover pipe under the engine. something to keep in mind. I ended up cutting the top of the trans tunnel off last fall and raising things up to where they should have been and rebuilding the top of the tunnel.


you also need to offset the shifter back about 2" to get it into the stock shifter plate opening. Im using a steeda tri-ax and it works well but the stick was a little short.

im using a tko600, which is a variant of the t3550

its a bit of work.

subroc

iTrader: (2)

As far as the tunnel mods...would i still need to do this considering my car is a auto right now? I thought i read somewhere that the autos had a larger tunnel but i could be mistaken.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (15)

no, tunnel is the same, FWIW my car was an auto as well.

subroc

iTrader: (2)

Ok well that is good to know. I still think im interested in this trans though if i can get it cheaper than 1100. I found a 26 spline input shaft on ebay for a good price. Im not sure if there are more than one type though. In my line of reasoning..wouldnt i need a slightly longer 26 spline input to keep the input where it needs to be once that spacer is in place between the bellhousing and the trans?

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (15)

i believe you do since they make tko's to fit straight up bells and then the 3rd gen specific ones that need the spacer, so i believe there is a input shaft that is 1" longer. Like i said before, check out Fortes, he has everything.

subroc

iTrader: (2)

One more question. Is it possible to just ditch the factory third gen bell and use a standard sbc bellhousing for a straight up transmission? Im assuming its a clearance issue with the clutch fork?

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (15)

the 3rd gens use a hydraulic clutch setup, and they have the only bellhousing with the mounting bracket for the hydraulic slave cylinder. You can get a 3rd gen lakewood scattersheild, that has the straight up pattern, but i dont know if it will match the ford pattern on that trans you are looking at, it may, i dont know. Unless you convert to the earlier z-bar mechanical linkage setup for hte clutch, which blows, you are stuck with the hydraulic setup, unless you convert to a hydraulic TO bearing at the same time, similar to that the 98-02 4th gens use.

Keep in mind, with the 1" spacer the shifter is still 2" to far forward, without the spacer it will be 3" to far forward, which is well under the ashtray. Making a shifter stick that will work will be very difficult.

subroc

iTrader: (2)

Thank you very much for all your help. It gives me an idea of what im getting myself into at least if i pursue one of these transmissions. I just found a TKO 500 for a mustang now too with 1000 miles on it for 1100 as well lol. So...TR 3550 for less than 1000 (if i can get him lower) or tko 500 that is closer to me and a bit stronger for probably 1000 even (assuming i can get him down to that price). Both will need the inputs swapped out. the 3550 is rebuilt while the TKO just has insanely low mileage. Decisions decisions.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (15)

to be frank, if i did it again, i would use a t56, less headache IMHO. But the tko's are good strong transmissions though.

subroc

iTrader: (2)

Well that has been an option as well but there are two big reasons why i dont want to go that route. One is that my engine is a two piece rms 355 4 bolt from the 70s. Im sure you know that that means i would need to get a adaptor flywheel to make the T56 work with it..and that flywheel is about 400 bucks right there added to whatever the swap is. Then there is the rear gearing situation. I have 3.27 gears in a 9 bolt. While they would work great with a 4 speed auto and a 5 speed manual..i would never get the full use out of those double over drives and i would be left swapping rears to something like a 3.70 or 4.10. With this line of reasoning i think the TKO is actually less headache for my particular situation. If i had higher numerical rear gearing and a one piece rms block however i would totally agree with you. From a cost perspective i think i would be ahead of the game with the TKO if i can nab it for a G.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (15)

very true, but keep in mind you still need to buy the conversion parts, all of them, then change the input shaft, or pay sombody to if you cant do it (not sure whats involved). So make sure you kprice/figure everything thats needed and whats involved before spending money.

FWIW, i have 3:70 rear gears with my tko600 and honestly i wish i had something like a 3:23 or 3:42 at most, 1st isa bit useless at times.

ohh, and that brings up a good point i forgot! can you find out what the 1st geat ratio is on that trans? i know the tko500 have a really steep first gear, 3 something IIRC, and that may be a bit much. I dont know what the t3550 has in it for gears.

subroc

iTrader: (2)

TKO has a 3.27 first gear...and the 700r4 i have now has a 3.07 first i believe so i wouldnt think it would be too much of a difference. It is a low first gear but i dont mind. As for pricing im trying to get a good grasp of that right now. I did some calling around and this is what i found:

26 spline input shaft $250
Adaptor for bellhousing $250
Slip yolk and U joints as well as modified rear mount all for $100 from a fellow board member
Adapter pilot bearing $60
Trans itself 1000 if im lucky

Grand total of $1660. This is not however including the cost of shortening the driveshaft.


T56 drop in ive seen go for around 1500-2k so they are getting closer to equivalent.

subroc

iTrader: (2)

Just letting you know that i was able to scoop the TKO up for 1000 even. Its a real nice piece and will def make the car more bulletproof once its back on the road in the spring. You said you had the part to adapt the speedo to it? Can i get a picture and maybe a price if your interested in selling?

Bangin Bob

Subroc you have a pm. thanks Bob