tremec 3550

hey guys,

I have decided to so a auto to manual swap in my 71 torino gt with 351c. I have a toploader that I was going to swap in but to rebuild it and change the input shaft and tail housing for a trade in and getting the new one back is like 1000.00 then the hydraulic kit fir the car is about 500.00. But I was looking and a tremec 3550 5spd is about 1250.00 but the hydraulic kit is 150.00 less. My question is will the tremec work behind the cleveland with about 350- 400hp? will it fit my car without cutting into the trans tunnel? Do I need a special clutch or bell housing to go with it? Thanks

Nick

i have one in my 64 falcon on a cleav. i didnt have any trouble and i like it .[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

i have one in my 400 hp 347 no problems
as for your floor i have no idea

Will it work?? Do bears whipe their asses with rabbits?
Okay, don't know that, but yes it'll work. No speacial clutch or anything. All the stuff that comes in the kit for the 351W will work for your Cleveland. That's actually what I had to do when I bought mine. The guy said "Cleev..what?" He didn't realize there was life outside the 5.0, kidding, kind of.
Anyhow, I used the JMC hydraulic clutch kit, 5.0 block plate, McLeod clutch, the new style bellhousing and an aluminum flywheel (revs like an MX bike now!! almost). The only issues with my set up were the block plate and the starter. Had to bang two indentations in it for the oil pan lips that extend a bit more to the rear and forget about using any OEM starter. Aftermarket mini starter is still tight with the headers but is doing fine. Also, for my headers the tab on the leading edge of the bellhousing for a cable clutch went bye bye by sawzall.
As far as your tunnel, I had to shave the upper x-member and bang in the tunnel in 1/4 inch in two spots on my 70 Mustang. Don't know how big in comparison your tunnel is.

Hope this helps
[addsig]

I used a conversion package from Dark Horse Performance to put one in my '68. I didnt have to shave the cross member or anything. Its close to the tunnel, but not enough to worry about. O ya, make sure you use a GOOD throwout bearing. The first one I used went out in 15 miles. Turns out it didnt get lubed at the factory-defective part.