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View Full Version : shifter for Tremec 3550



michaelmosty
01-03-2010, 04:24 PM
My Steeda Tri-Ax shifter is getting a little loose so I'm looking for a new one. I prefer Steeda but am open to all options. Please let me know of anything available.

AllZWay
01-03-2010, 05:18 PM
You already looking for excuses.... :P

michaelmosty
01-03-2010, 08:41 PM
No sir, CMC2 #11 will be in tip top shape when the season starts!! I even gave a little shine to the engine bay this weekend. 8)

Hood
01-04-2010, 03:34 PM
Michael,

I've got a spare Pro 5.0 shifter... but it comes with a spare 3550... (you know you need a spare trans).

michaelmosty
01-04-2010, 05:33 PM
I hope I don't need a spare!!
How does the Pro 5.0 feel? The Steeda shifter always felt pretty notchy but I have also heard that is how the 3550 feels.

Hood
01-05-2010, 05:47 PM
Shifter isn't what is notchy... it is the 3550. Pro 5.0 is pretty solid feeling. So... you want this trans?

michaelmosty
01-05-2010, 06:05 PM
I'll give you $200 for the shifter if you throw the transmission in for free. :)

BlueFirePony
01-05-2010, 07:28 PM
I hope I don't need a spare!!
How does the Pro 5.0 feel? The Steeda shifter always felt pretty notchy but I have also heard that is how the 3550 feels.
3550 and 3560 are both notchy. I've tried the Pro 5 and Tri-ax on my 3560. The Tri-ax got better once I put shims in.

Rob Liebbe
01-05-2010, 09:07 PM
What does it take to convert from the T5 to the 3550 in a Fox Mustang?

Al Fernandez
01-06-2010, 08:02 AM
money

michaelmosty
01-06-2010, 10:28 AM
What does it take to convert from the T5 to the 3550 in a Fox Mustang?
Bellhousing, trans, shifter, and d-shaft. The only reason I have one is I got a smokin deal on mine when first building the car.

Rob Liebbe
01-06-2010, 12:33 PM
money

Har har hardee har har!!!!!!!! Smart ass.

Hood
01-06-2010, 01:07 PM
I have the scattershield, hydraulic throw-out bearing and shifter. I'll let it all go for $1400.

Chuck
01-06-2010, 01:08 PM
Bellhousing, trans, shifter, and d-shaft. The only reason I have one is I got a smokin deal on mine when first building the car.

Also, may require a clutch change depending on which 3550 Gary has for sale. Some are 10 spline (Ford) some are 26 spline (GM). I am not sure if the 26 spline would be CMC legal in a Mustang now. Also, requires a modification to the trans crossmember to slide it back a bit on the mounts. Only the driveshaft yoke has to be replaced, not the whole driveshaft.

So Gary, which input shaft do you have, and which 5th gear ratio does the unit have, part number?

Chuck
CMC#14

Hood
01-06-2010, 01:13 PM
So Gary, which input shaft do you have, and which 5th gear ratio does the unit have, part number?


It is the Ford 10-spline. I'll get back to you on the 5th gear/P/N question.

Chuck
01-06-2010, 01:44 PM
It is the Ford 10-spline. I'll get back to you on the 5th gear/P/N question.

Then it is one of the CMC legal Tremecs, Tremec part 260 0682R or TCET1376 depending on 5th gear ratio.

CMC Rules quote: 7.27 Transmission
7.27.1. Any OEM stock four, five or six speed transmission that was originally offered in an eligible model
car of the same manufacturer is allowed. Tremec 3550 (Tremec part 260 0682R or TCET1376 only), and
Tremec TKO transmissions are also allowed. /Quote


Chuck
CMC#14

evarner
01-06-2010, 01:51 PM
A stock 3550 won't require any changes in clutch and driveshaft (just the bellhousing). The TKO has the 26 spline input shaft (requiring a new clutch) and also a 31 spline output shaft (this requires a C-6 yoke).

You can modify the existing crossmember by grinding the welds and moving the support bar back as far as it will go (should be around 1")

http://webspace.webring.com/people/l2/2bav8/5speed.html

Nice compare between T-5 and Tremec: http://webspace.webring.com/people/l2/2bav8/compare.html

Last paragraph:

"Then step right up to the Tremec TKO. This bad boy transmission is the same size as the Tremec 3550 but features larger input and output shafts for additional strength. You'll need a 26 spline cluch disc because of this, but that's just a straight forward clutch disc swap. Talk to Dark Horse Performance for parts. You'll also need a custom driveshaft as the large 31 spline yoke (C-6 yoke) requires much larger U-joints than the stock drive shaft can handle. Other than that, it bolts up the same as the Tremec 3550. This is the probably the ultimate transmission for your classic mustang, providing both incredible strength for the track and overdrive for streetability. "

TKO's legal?

Al Fernandez
01-07-2010, 12:52 AM
TKOs are legal. Ginsberg just bought himself the whole kit and kaboodle for his Fox so he might be a good resource.

Chuck
01-07-2010, 11:50 AM
[quote="Al Fernandez"]TKOs are legal. quote]

Al, the rules list the TKO, which I assume refers to the new line of Tremecs TKO 500 and TKO 600 that are all 26 spline input. But the older Tremec 3550 series had two spline versions, and the rules list only two part numbers that are the 10 spline versions. These were found in the '95 cobra R, Bondurant and Ford racing sold units were 10 spline. So the question is about the older, obsolete, 3550 series 26 spline units that were called 3550 TKO at the time. I have been told before these units are NOT CMC legal. I have one in my street car I was going to move over, but told no go.

Are all the 3550 series Tremecs legal now?

Reference site: http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/5_speed.html

Chuck
CMC#14

Adam Ginsberg
01-08-2010, 03:07 PM
Guys, I did this upgrade over a year ago.

The clutch rule covers it well:

2010 CMC rules, v1.2:


7.26 Clutch/Flywheel
Any single disc clutch and steel pressure plate of OEM stock diameter may be used provided that it is bolted directly to the unmodified OEM stock flywheel.

Chuck, ALL of the older Tremecs (3550's, 3550II, TKO, TKOII) and newer units (500 and 600) are completely legal in a CMC car.

The 3550-II, TKO-II and the TKO600 (TCET4617 for Fords) all have the road race 5th gear. Gear ratios for ALL are attached.


7.27 Transmission
7.27.1. Any OEM stock four, five or six speed transmission that was originally offered in an eligible model car of the same manufacturer is allowed. Tremec 3550 (Tremec part 260 0682R or TCET1376 only), and Tremec TKO transmissions are also allowed.

I researched this quite thoroughly before doing my conversion.....actually before I purchased the TKO-II in the car now.

Here's what you'll need:

1. New bellhousing w/throw out fork. You can buy a stock Ford unit (not the original T5), or a SFI rated blow-proof unit.
2. Transmission. I was extremely fortunate, and found a NIB TKOII @ Liberty's Gears for $1200. Shipped, it was $1295 to my door.
3. Clutch plate - 26 spline, as already mentioned. Go to 50resto.com - they have a killer deal on a complete clutch, PP and TO bearing. Part number RAM-88794T, $144.99 (that's what's in my car). It's even less expensive now than when I bought mine (grrr). For our power levels, even @ CMC2 numbers, it will last a long time.
4. Modify the trans cross member as Eric mentioned.
5. New yoke for driveshaft - again, different splines than a T5. In my case, I had a completely new driveshaft built to replace the FMS unit - $315, out the door, but I supplied the yoke. 50resto yoke part number M236041X. If anyone is interested in a DS from my supplier, let me know, and I'll get pricing (it may have changed).
6. New shifter. I picked up a Steeda unit for $155.66, shipped to my door.
7. GM Syncromesh gear oil. Stock up, sometimes it's hard to find, but IIRC, AutoZone and O'Reilley's carry it.
8. Hardware - some bolts from the T5 BH may not fit correctly with the new unit. 50resto part numbers HDW-6392A (BH bolts), lrs-n808135s2 (clutch cable clip), lrs-7553dr (replacement clutch cable).
9. Exhaust - you may have to replace your existing exhaust system. My Dr. Gas would no longer fit with the TKO, so I replaced it with an old skool SVO piece I found in CA. An older H-pipe may work. Dr Gas makes a TKO specific X.

While you're in there, I'd recommend replacing the rear main seal (mine was leaking) as well as the pilot bearing (mine was toast). Nothing worse than doing all that work, only to have a problem with an item that was easy to get to at the time.

It took me 2 days to do mine, but part of that was having the DS built. Easy-peasy.

kbrewmr2
01-08-2010, 03:27 PM
I did this conversion in my drag-race oriented Mustang a while back - Adam's list is very complete. I believe Fortes Transmission parts does make a CNC machined adapter piece if you wanted to save a little bit of $ and use the stock fork with the SFI type bellhousing. Thats where I recall getting mine from anyway.

Evarner is also right - with the TKO you do need to grind those welds off and slide the crossmember piece towards the back of the car.

Didn't have to change my exhaust though after clerancing the bellhousing slightly at its extreme edge to clear the passenger side header fwiw.

RichardP
01-08-2010, 03:47 PM
Small comment: You can't change out fifth gear easily on these like you can with the T5 so make sure the box you purchase has the ratios you want.


Richard P.

michaelmosty
01-08-2010, 04:45 PM
I did the 5th gear in my 3550 and IIRC it was about $500 in parts. You need to get a new shaft in addition to the 5th gear.

I just put new synchromesh trans fluid in mine this last weekend and GM wanted $17.50 / quart. O'Reilly had some Pennzoil that is the same as GM part #12345349 for $7 / quart.

I am also running a plain Summitt h-pipe with no clearance issues.