Tremec 3550 conversion

jstanley55 · Post by **jstanley55** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 4:41 pm

Since my t5 is on the way out I am thinking about swapping in a 3550. Has anyone one here done this before? Other than the bell housing, tranny and shifter what else do I need to swap out? Can I use the current clutch cable? What about the driveshaft and crossmember?

drtymike · Post by **drtymike** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:38 pm

jstanley55 wrote:Since my t5 is on the way out I am thinking about swapping in a 3550. Has anyone one here done this before? Other than the bell housing, tranny and shifter what else do I need to swap out? Can I use the current clutch cable? What about the driveshaft and crossmember?

I put a 3550 in a 90 gt, and used the same clutch cable, driveshaft and crossmember as I used with the t-5.

WillyB93 · Post by **WillyB93** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:07 am

Never done the conversion myself, just double check the input and output shaft for correct splines also.

buddha · Post by **buddha** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 12:16 pm

jstanley55 wrote:Since my t5 is on the way out I am thinking about swapping in a 3550. Has anyone one here done this before? Other than the bell housing, tranny and shifter what else do I need to swap out? Can I use the current clutch cable? What about the driveshaft and crossmember?

Bolts right up. The only difference is the shifter base between the two. Bell, clutch, and cable will all work.

jstanley55 · Post by **jstanley55** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 12:21 pm

Nice. I am shocked (but happy) the bell housing works. Kind of surprised that more people don't do this to foxes since its so simple and since T5's are junk (IMO).

Post by **BrettT** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 12:28 pm

J, also make sure you use GM's Syncromesh Trans Fluid. You probably would of see it in the intructions if you purchased the trans new. But, just in case your buying a used one and didn't know....

hnkstang50 · Post by **hnkstang50** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 1:09 pm

Stock cross member will work but you will need to cut the spot welds on the tubular part to allow adjustment or the trans mouth wont line up.

jstanley55 · Post by **jstanley55** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 4:59 pm

Thanks for the info guys. One more question, what about a 3650? I dont know anything about them. I am assuming its rated for higher torque?

buddha · Post by **buddha** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:16 pm

jstanley55 wrote:Thanks for the info guys. One more question, what about a 3650? I dont know anything about them. I am assuming its rated for higher torque?

Don't mess with one.

I've had my 3550 in two different cars for years. It's currently in the red car, until I get the TKO-600 in there.

jstanley55 · Post by **jstanley55** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:54 pm

buddha wrote:
jstanley55 wrote:Thanks for the info guys. One more question, what about a 3650? I dont know anything about them. I am assuming its rated for higher torque?
Don't mess with one.

I've had my 3550 in two different cars for years. It's currently in the red car, until I get the TKO-600 in there.

Dont mess with one because the 3550 is perfectly fine or is there another reason not to? Only asking about the 3650 because I found what looks to. E a good buy on a rebuilt one. But if they are harder to adapt for some reason or not as good I will stick with the 3550.
Yeah, I wish a TKO600 was in the budget!
Thanks

hnkstang50 · Post by **hnkstang50** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:31 am

I had the 3550 in my Turbo mustang. That put down 610 tq and 435 hp to the wheels and neverhad a problem with it

drkhrse · Post by **drkhrse** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:07 pm

http://www.moderndriveline.com Call them, ask for Bruce tell him Jason sent you. He knows more about Tremec Trans than anyone I have ever met. He rebuilds and sells them for a living. He also rebuilds T5's. I'd recommend you have him rebuild your original Cobra T5 and save the trouble of converting. He gets over 550 RWHP through the T5 in his open track car. He rebuilt the T5 in my 93R (370 rwhp, 400 rwtq), never shifted a better one! It all depends on what you intend to use it for.

jstanley55 · Post by **jstanley55** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:20 pm

drkhrse wrote:http://www.moderndriveline.com Call them, ask for Bruce tell him Jason sent you. He knows more about Tremec Trans than anyone I have ever met. He rebuilds and sells them for a living. He also rebuilds T5's. I'd recommend you have him rebuild your original Cobra T5 and save the trouble of converting. He gets over 550 RWHP through the T5 in his open track car. He rebuilt the T5 in my 93R (370 rwhp, 400 rwtq), never shifted a better one! It all depends on what you intend to use it for.

Funny, I've looked at his site a time or two. I think the shipping would kill me though. I've had two 3550's lined up but didn't get either for one reason or another. I'll call Bruce and get his pricing. Thanks for the info!

jstanley55 · Post by **jstanley55** » Tue May 01, 2012 5:09 pm

Just found a killer deal on a rebuilt TKO 500 that I might pick up. I would assume the swap would be the same as the 3550 but I found a few older discussions online saying you need to change the bell...Anyone know for sure?

hnkstang50 · Post by **hnkstang50** » Tue May 01, 2012 6:38 pm

jstanley55 wrote:Just found a killer deal on a rebuilt TKO 500 that I might pick up. I would assume the swap would be the same as the 3550 but I found a few older discussions online saying you need to change the bell...Anyone know for sure?

A tko 500 will require a different drive shaft yoke too.

Tremec 3550 conversion

Tremec 3550 conversion

Re: Tremec 3550 conversion

Re: Tremec 3550 conversion