Tremec TKO 600

[TURNA]

Hey any updates on your Malibu??

I was wondering if you could list everything you used?
Headers? Any mods to headers?
bellhousing?
Clutch?
clutch linkage? stock??? aftermarket??
I am starting my BB conversion now and need all the help I can get.!!

 

[Meat Drapes]

Give me some time to compile my list. Probably easier if I am at work to do this too.

 

[Anonymous]

HOLY CRAP !, I'm not flaming at all here, But 5k on a big block and over 3k on a transmission and you are running 13's? I'm guessing by all the previous posts and clutches, and experiments you are into that trans for over 5k also. Is that really worth it just to row your own gears? It was a great read, but if I learned aything from it , it is to just run an auto. It just seems like more wasted money , time and grief than it is worth. Good luck with your car ,I hope you get into the 11's where that 454 belongs.

 

[Doober]

But where would the fun be in not blowing money??? I know I don't have hardly any fun without any new parts... Maybe I can scrape up some money to build a mild 383 over the winter...

 

[TURNA]

Thanks Meat Drapes I apprecate the help!! :thumbsup:

How is it running in general? daily driving?

 

[Meat Drapes]

I ran the 13s with horrible Firestone Firehawks.
I have since put M/T Drag radials on it and ran a 12.00 @ 115 rowing gears.
And those are the wrong tire too. The manual transmission shocks the tire too much for it to handle the 454 and I get wheel spin in 1st and 2nd.
Did I say 5K on the Big Block? I am not so sure I spent that much. But perhaps if you add all of the incidentals and stuff probably close.
I did spend the $3042 on the Tremec. It was supposed to be a direct fit deal. For the money and the experience gained and enjoyment of driving the car.. worth every penny.
The original Center Force clutch was also the wrong one for my application. Now that I have the correct one installed its great.
Ill try to put a little more effort into this again and post better.

 

[Anonymous]

12.o sounds alot better , I wasn't flaming ya, I was just shocked @ the times... tires explain alot.

 

[Meat Drapes]

No hurt feelings. I just hadnt posted any facts/updates lately.
I am certain the car has more then a 12.0, just cant get it to hook up at all.

 

[Meat Drapes]

Down and Dirty

As I did my conversion I tried to keep everything as simple and painless as possible. The car was an original factory 4 speed so I kept as much as I could.
I got rid of the stock motor mounts and went with the solids.
In order to keep my ALL STOCK mech clutch linkage I used Sanderson Headers: Part # BB3. I had to dimple #4 tube and I did a little bit of grinding to the a-frame for clearance. I ended up getting rid of the stock heads and used a Merlin head with exhaust raised .250 , this made a huge difference in clearance.
After I roasted the first clutch I ended up going back to Center Force and got another. It is 10.4" just like it came stock only made for a Pontiac LeMans. The flywheel is a light weight nodular iron from GM performance parts direct. Weighs 15 lbs and is made for Big Block 10.4" clutch.
I reused the stock '606' bellhousing. The driveshaft came from Keisler as part of my deal.
I think the rest of the info can be found in this thread. I am sure I have posted part numbers as well. If you need something specific or you need a pic of something, Ill do it.

 

[Meat Drapes]

The car is running pretty good. I can drive it daily but I prefer my 1990 Nissan Sentra ( 35 MPG all day everyday) and it has a better stereo.
The transmission is still the highlight of the car. It is so nice. I really like what the 5 speed does to the car. It just makes it what it is, its the personality of it. 454 and a 5 speed. JUST PLAIN NASTY!!!!
I can chug around in 5th gear at 1300 RPM with no problems.
I hooked up an Autometer electronic speedo to the connector and sender that comes with the transmission....flawless.
My only gripe is the 2nd to 3rd power shift. I miss this shift too many times.

I have truly beat on this transmission. I have shifted so hard that I have got blood blisters. I have tried to rip the handle out of the floor.
I am still driving and still loving it.