Tremec TKO 600

[Meat Drapes]

Its all still mech linkage. Ill get a photo in a week or so.

It is VERY tight with little room for anything. The header hugs the block and dumps out right next to the oil pan. The reducer bolts to the collector and also has a 30-45 deg cut that makes the dump straight down. From the reducer the exhaust is welded on and there is a 90 deg bend nearly under the oil filter and it runs right out the back.
Its all very ugly. The header collector is 3", the reducer drops down to 2 1/2 and from there I have shoved a 2 1/4 pipe into that and welded it up at the reducer. After the 90 deg bend and the pipe is parallel to the ground it dumps into 3" pipe the rest of the way back.
Untill I go with a HYD setup this is my best solution. Once I have HYD, I could then move on to a full length header.

 

[Meat Drapes]

Since the install of the Big Block I have noticed that the crossmember sagged a little more then with the 327. Obviously the engine is heavier.
So I shimmed the crossmember and the transmission to compensate.
I also went with a driveshaft loop since I was laying down a few more HP. At first the driveshaft would slightly knock the loop when I left the line under hard accelaration. So I shimmed everything as high as I thought was possible. The crossmember was resting on the floorboards. It does not go any higher. I had plenty of clearance for the driveshaft inside the loop now.

Well, its been months and many passes down the track. The crossmember is sagging. I am hitting the loop again.
The xmember that was boxed. I can see through to the other side. Gaps have opened up where there were no welds.

I have called Keisler. They have a mold of the original and can check it. If its repairable, then they fix it. If not, they say they still have a few left over for the G Body so I can get a replacement.

 

[TURNA]

What type of crossmember did they send you? Have a pic?

Did you ask them why they do not offer this setup anymore?

 

[Meat Drapes]

Page 6 of this thread has a pic of the xmember.
You can also see the welds. If you look closely you can see how tightly it was boxed, it was done rather well. But now, the spaces were there are no welds, there are gaps that have opened up. Not huge, but enough to see light on the other side

 

[Meat Drapes]

When you look at the pic, imagine now a stack of washers under the transmission inbetween the transmission mount and the transmission. I gained approx 1/2 maybe a little more to get the driveline angle correct. I also added 1" blocks of steel under the xmember to get it higher as well.
I shimmed and stacked and did everything i could to get it right.

I have never like the way the xmember bounced. I can see the engine rock back and forth and watch the shifter 'BOB' on the floor.

Of all the problems, the transmission or crossmember has NEVER hit the floorboard. It has always sagged/drooped, never bounced up.

 

[TURNA]

yes i see it
that really looks like a real crap job xmember
i would get some C-Clamps straighten/flaten it out and weld it completely not just those little 3-4 inch welds

How thick is the steel on that xmember??

 

[TURNA]

What bellhousing did you wiind up using?

 

[Meat Drapes]

Stock 606 bell. Stock mech linkage.

 

[TURNA]

nice

You know I really like your car alot. It is pretty much what I have been putting together forever. So please dont take any of my coments the wrong way. They are not ment as put downs in any way. I hate to keep seeing a new problem with your setup

 

[Meat Drapes]

I am not offended.
My car is most definately an extension of my personality. The only thing missing is a 6-71 blower sticking up out of the hood. And the paint has gone to he!! in the last 18 months.
But, for what its worth, I do not have any problem with the 'problems' on my car. This is something to pass the time. Keeps me busy and entertained.

I have known for about a year that the xmember is a possible problem. I have thought of creative ways to stop the flex and I am certain that a few of them would have worked. But I just dont have the time. And since the Big Block has been installed, I just want to drive it.