I am considering going with a TKO but I was wondering how different is the crossmember compared to the stock one. My current exhaust is a custom H pipe that happens to go right across the crossmember and would like to avoid having to modify it to go around.

I would really like to go to a manual transmission but don't want to go t5 and t56 would require modifications to the exhaust. My main goal is to be able to get my gas millage up so I can go to places farther away. I have a TH350 with a 3.73 rear end so it sucks fairly bad right now. I am also considering a built 700R4 if clearance is still going to be an issue but I am doing my best to do my homework first. Thanks.

 

the crossmember need to be lowered 1/2" or so, so thats probably going to be in the way of your exhaust. Or use a spohn crossmember torque arm, or a UMI 700r4 one with adapters. Either way the crossmember still sits lower. T5 would be the only way to leave the crossmember alone

 

Well if it is only a 1/2" I might be able to get away with it still. I would just have to take it to the shop to have the exhaust bent down some.

 

the crossmember needs to move back a little too, not sure if a stock crossmember will work.
The aftermarket crossmembers will lower the trans about a half inch, but they are make out of material about 1.5-2" thick, so the crossmember sits sits at least 1.25" lower than the stock one.
what did you have in mind?

 

Well as of now I am not too sure. I know someone made one that went around there exhaust for the t56 so maybe that would be an option. I would also have to worry about ground clearance as it is since my car is lowered. It is kind of all up in the air as of right now but I would really like to get something going by next year. A built 700R4 is also the other route and would end up being cheaper too. You wouldn't happen to know where I could get a picture of one installed at all? That would also help by judging. If I have time I will get the Camaro on jacks and take a picture so you can see what I am dealing with.

Also another thought...Maybe I could just get a different rear end combined with the TH350 so I won't be running at 3 grand at 60 mph.

 

that would work too, though it defeats the purpose of the th350. I assume going back to a 700r4 is out of the question?

If i get ambitious and find some money, this winter im planning to mod my crossmember for LT's and a 3" y pipe, i will post some pics if i do.

 

the 700R4 is definitely a possible option. It is about my only option if TKO won't work with my currrent setup. I have heard great things about the pro built so I been also looking at that in my quest to find a tranny. I kind of was hoping for a stick but I guess I could maybe do that some day down the road. I would just like to at least be able to drive farther then I can now but have a reliable tranny when I start to put more power and torque on it. I am sure anyone will appreciate the pics if you get them for the crossmember. Sounds like you got an interesting enough project of your own.