This really helps. I read the conflicting info on the tunnel surgery and wanted some other opinions. I've done a lift on a Jeep and had to deal with drive train vibration/angle. It's not something I want to fool with again.
Would the Joe Wilson tunnel top be a weld-in? Can a "stock" rug replacement for a '66 fit over the new tunnel? Tom -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Clint Hooper Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 1:24 PM To: The Chevelle Mailing List Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] 66 Elcamino I agree with Michael. Just can't see how you could get away from not cutting the tunnel some. If you guys are seriously interested in installing one of the transmissions,Joe Wilson Race Cars can build you a new tunnel top for a very reasonable price. Let me know if I can help. Clint Hooper H&H Custom,owner LT5 Registry Director http://www.LT5Registry.net/ ACES #1650 http://dalesplace.com/misc/friends/clint_hooper.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Pell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Well, they sell the same trans as everyone else, and it will bolt up to > the bellhousing no problem. However, it will NOT fit into the tunnel > of the 64-67 A-Body cars without serious tunnel mods. The tunnel is > just not big enough to accomodate this large trans. I've yet to have a > customer who told me otherwise. > > Now it might be possible to drop the tail shaft far enough to allow the > trans to fit, but that causes all kinds of problems (fan-shroud to fan > clearance, distributor to firewall clearance, low hanging exhaust, > clutch linkage mis-alignment, etc). Not to mention that really screws > with the driveline angles, and you can expect vibration problems. I > absolutely do not recommend doing this. I tried it on my car, and the > results were very unsatisfactory. I moved the trans up into the tunnel > where it belongs. It's more work, but well worth it. > > I recommend you ask plenty of questions. :-) > > Mike, > > > Quoting Mike Holleman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > > > MessageKeisler Auto has a modified TKO 5 speed that is a direct bolt > > up for Chevelles. According to their literature there is no tunnel > > modification and the shifter will be in the same position as the > > muncie. I am looking into one for my 65 Elky. > > Mike Holleman > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Clint Hooper > > To: The Chevelle Mailing List > > Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 8:40 PM > > Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] 66 Elcamino > > > > > > I'm sure you will have to cut quite a bit of the trans tunnel away > > to clear a TKO 5spd or T56 6spd but it's really no big deal to build > > a new tunnel top. If you plan on staying with the 3.42 rear cog,my > > choice might be the TKO. My opinion is the T56's work better with at > > least a 3.73 or higher numerically rear cog,because of the very tall > > 6th gear. > > Yes,you can keep your bench seat. I have a bench in my 69 and the > > T56 shifter clears it fine. > > Clint Hooper > > H&H Custom,owner > > LT5 Registry Director > > http://www.LT5Registry.net/ > > ACES #1650 > > http://dalesplace.com/misc/friends/clint_hooper.htm > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Tom Tomlinson > > > > Thanks everyone for the feedback. > > > > I ended up talking him down to $3k for everything, and he threw > > in some items I needed, like engine stand, lift, etc. The engine has > > never been run, but is set up with 2.02 heads, Edelbrock RPM cam and > > intake, 4 bolt main, and should make 410 HP, which is plenty for me. > > It was close enough to the project I was looking for that I was > > willing to pay a little more. The guy really did some nice > > restoration on the interior. > > > > Anyway, I need a transmission, fenders and liners. I was ignoring > > most of the 5 and 6 speed transmission discussion a month or so ago > > because I wasn't in the market, so I'm re-reading the Richmond/Tremec > > posts, looking at the websites, etc. Seems like the D&D T56 with the > > 3.42 rear end would be a nice setup, but I'm not clear how much > > "tunnel surgery" is needed on a 66. > > > > Can anyone tell me how much modification on the tunnel is needed > > for the 66 Elky? Is there anyway to keep the bench seat (not that I > > mind going to buckets). > > > > Tom Tomlinson > > '71 Malibu > > '66 Elky in pieces, hoping I can get it back together > > > >
