Hi Guys!

I'm sorry to ask this question here, but I just can't get any productive help on the LT1 forums I've tried :-P. (I just get links to Mcleod or 5speedtransmissions... That I don't need, I can work google. What I need is know-how from guys like you, who've done things like this before)

I need som help with a Kit-car project I'm working on. The problem is that I have a '95 LT1 engine from an Impala SS. Now I've found a guy that has a brand new Tremec TKO gearbox he wants to sell, the question is... How do I fit it to my LT1?

What bellhousing do I need, what flywheel, what clutch and so on...

I'd rather buy the following used:

*Bellhousing w/ fork and stuff needed...
*flywheel
*hydralics

And buy this stuff new:
* Clutch w/ preassure plate
* bearings

Please help a newbie out :-)

Kind Regards, Hans B

 

Kit car doesn't tell me anything. Your location would help too. Does your kit car usually get done with mechanical, hydraulic, or cable linkage? Is the TKO a box built to go behind a Ford, or go behind a GM engine? They make them either way now.

 

Location is Sweden.

Kit-car type is a Cobra (kit-url: http://home.swipnet.se/cobra427/ under the menu "produkter" you see the frame and the body as I will recieve it)

It's up to me if I chose hydraulical or mechanical operated clutch, all I get is the frame and body from the manufacturer... The rest is by the builders choice. But I think I'd like to go with hydraulics...

The TKO is a GM box (26 spline)...

Regards, Hans B

 

It's not the new TKO 500/600. It's the older one named "TKO"

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but do you think the following would work:

Lakewood 15020 (from what I've learned it has two bolt-on positions one 17 degree counter clockwise rotation, and one with normal line-up... From what I've read the 84-92 V8 bellhousings for the F-body only have the 17 degree rotation?).

Clutch fork : GM 14075725 (F-body, 84-92)

Clutch : CenterForce DF161056
Camaro/Firebird 84-92, 10½", 1 1/8" x 26 spline
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...F161056&view=8

Clutch hydraulics:
Should be able to get this from an F-body wreck or replacement GM parts?

Flywheel:
I'm guessing here. But the choice of flywheel should be based on three things
* Bellhouse size
* Starter position on the block
* Clutch diameter (unsure of this)
If I'm right I should be able to go with a post '86, 168 tooth flywheel for my car? (gotta check the block if it has two positions for the starter though)

Throwout bearing: CTF-N1716
Summits recommendation...
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...N=120%20303800


You think it would work? Or what parts are wrong + missing?

Kind regards

 

More detail is much better

Yes, the 15020 is good and that's the right clutch fork. Hydrauilics ordered for a 1995 f-body 6 speed V8 work with this setup. They are better than 84-92 f-body hydraulics as the hyd. line is longer and braided steel. I don't know how easily mounted to the cobra firewall the master cylinder will be.

You might stick with a post 1985 153 tooth flywheel. This lets you run a common lighter weight (~16lb) f-body flywheel which would work well in a lighter car. DF161056 will work with it.

• 15020 will fit a 153 or a 168
• 153 needs straight bolts, 168 needs staggered
• the 153 fits a 10.5" clutch.
• the LT1 will be dual drilled for starter patterns

everything you chose is great. But I'd go 153 tooth flywheel, not 168

 

Ahha, yeah what you say probably makes sense. I should go with a 154 tooth flywheel. Though I think they are a little harder to find at the salvage yard . What would I loose if I was to use a 168 tooth instead... Slower response?... Btw, is the footprint large for the 95 f-body master cylinder? It is kind of tight in the Cobra , maybe you have other sugestions to a better choice of master cyl. ?

Heh, pure luck that I picked all the right parts since I actually have no knowledge of these things what so ever... hmm, almost feels to good to be true? (are you positive I haven't made any mistakes, besides the flywheel) ... Maybe I should play some lottery this weekend ?

 

The adjustable clutch fork ballstud from Lakewood is good too.

The 1984-2002 F-body master cylinders are all about the same size.

 

hmm, btw... what are staggered bolts?

 

equal length, staggered pattern bolts are used on starters for 168 flywheels.

unequal length, straight pattern bolts are used on starters for 153 flywheels.

 

Excuse me again, but would a flywheel from a camaro (post '85) fit my LT1 from '95 ?... I mean did Chevy change all their engines rear main seals the same year? And is the bolt pattern to the crank the same on all CSB ? And... is it balanced with the same external weight?

regards, Hans B

 

Yes. All 1986+ 305 and 350 and 350cid LT1/LT4 engines can use the same flywheels and flexplates. Same bolt pattern. Same oil pan gasket. Same rear main seal. This is why I mentioned the 86+ f-body flywheel.

 

Talk to the guy at www.fortesparts.com that is where I got mine at and he was very sharp for what parts you needed. also www.classicchevy5speed.com

 

Yeah I know, theres alot of good guys that sell stuff but they hardly ever relieve the know-how if they think they won't make a deal... And I'm trying to understand what parts fit together... then try to figure out what parts to go with (what clutch is good etc etc... what parts I could get used, such as the flywheel and/or bellhousing)...

5speedtransmissions.com is another place with good "rep"...
thanks for the input though!

This is a good page I've found, and a helpful guy aswell :
http://garage-scene.home.att.net/

regards, Hans B

 

It's just too good to be true :-). I mean it. I was expecting a jungle of problems... can it be that simple :-). I'm buying that TKO tomorrow, I'll worry about the other parts later on (when I can come up with a little more cash), it's quite obvious that it's not Mission Impossible 3 I'm heading into, and that all I need to know!

Thanks a bunch jmd!

btw, I counted the tooth on my flexplate, 153... so I won't run into any problems with the starter either if I go with the smaller flywheel