Planning on getting a Tremec TKX to bolt to my 350 and was wondering... Is the American Powertrains TKX kit necessary if I already have a T-5 in the car? Has anyone done it without the kit? I've also heard I can use the stock trans mount? I would like to dodge the $1200+ pricetag if possible.

 

All you should "need" is the bracket that puts the trans at the correct angle for the hole that is already cut in your trans tunnel. The shifter for a T-5 is on an angle vs the TKO/TKX which are straight up. People have installed them without it though, you just have to make some mods to your console (I think).

 

I would imagine you could also swap the bell housing to one that's not drilled at an angle like the stock one. A bellhousing designed for a t10/Muncie type trans w the mounts for the hydraulic mech mount would do. They also make adaptor plated but that will space the trans back 1/2 inch and require an extended pilot bushing/bearing. I'm sure Lakewood makes a bellhousing that would work. They're like 7-800. The adapter plates are 250ish.

 

I don't know if you could mount the TKX up to the stock bellhousing and make it work. Everything would be canted 20 degree off or whatever it is since the stock T-5 on these cars is mounted at an angle. You're going to need a bellhousing with a standard muncie bolt pattern. The lakewood for these cars is the only one I know of that will work with the stock clutch hydraulics. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/LAK-15020
Firechicken82 mentioned an adapter plate, might be something to look into.

You will need some provision for the torque arm, like a tunnel mount arm or torque arm relocating crossmember. You also may need a shorter driveshaft but that seems to be a rare issue with only some cars. You WILL need conversion U-joint for the TKX slip yoke as it is a different spline count than the T-5.

You will also need to get a adjustable shifter or make your own adapter for the shifter that comes on the TKX as the shifter mounted even in the most rearward position is apparently 2" too far forward.

I don't have a TKX in hand just yet, but that's the info that I've gathered over the past year or so I've been planning my swap.

 

I was planning on getting a lakewood bell housing, so no problems there.

 

LK4000? If so, I had to cut a small piece off of mine to get it to fit.

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Planning on using the lakewood 15000LKW