Shark Racer

So, over the last few weekends I've been preparing my car for a Tremec TKO 600 Transmission. I'm a relatively early adopter of a 700R4 conversion, and have never been madly in love with the transmission. It was better than the TH-350 and I drove the car for 5 years daily with it, but I didn't like the gear splits much and I frankly owned way too many trucks that had a 4L60 variant/descendant in it. So I wanted something more unique for my 'vette, and the deal that went through with American Powertrain felt like it was worth it.

Along the way, I decided to fix a few things:

1. Bouncy speedometer - cleaned housing and re-greased cable
2. Left turn signal didn't blink in the car - turned out socket was bad.
3. Had an alarm system installed by some complete hacks. Made door locks sluggish/weak, and added some glitches. Removed the system and spliced the wiring back to normal.
4. Added LED illumination to speedo and center console. I used some very mild lights from SuperBrightLED dot com. I picked a "warm white" color as I did not want them to look much different than stock, and I did not want them to be much brighter than stock either. I was more into it for the lower heat, lower wattage, higher reliability aspect.
5. New speedo bezel, center console and instrument panel bezels.
6. New radio (Kenwood KDC-X796)
7. Fixed broken cigarette lighter
8. New shiiiinyyyyyy brake booster
9. I'm sure I'm leaving something out...
10. Replaced in-op low fuel module with a new design from eBay
11. Re-routed some wires that people had ran haphazardly (behind the brake pedal) and routed them up over the steering column instead.
12. Applied new wrap (cold shrink tubing) to some OEM wires that had started to unravel
13. Got new vents for the center console (they were in-op)

Column and speedo cluster out:


View of center console mess, new center bezel


Steering column


Speedo cluster with new PCB, replaced socket


Bolts, bolts, bolts (and my filing system, I put them in baggies at the end of the work day)


A myriad of mildly refreshed parts hanging to dry


"New" pedal box


WTF is this thing?


Now I have 3 pedals AND a torque converter... wtf am I gonna do with that useless pedal on the left?


New LED lights in speedo cluster


LED lights in center console


Now just waiting for the driveshaft to show up so I can do something fun with that third pedal.

Big thanks to forum member tsw71 for helping with the pedal reinstall... would have gone crazy trying to do this without him. My wife, too! She helped me get it all torn down.

78pace

I'm jealous.............nice work there. That is going to be a lot more fun to drive.

Raphiki

I'm going with clutch master cylinder.

Shark Racer

OH! It's probably good I hooked that up then.

carriljc

How do you like them?
Where'd you get them?
How much are they?
Do they just go in the regular socket?


They look really cool in the pics....s

Vette5.5

Buddy of mine did a Keisler TKO conversion kit that came with everything, including the driveshaft, but started with a 4 speed, so already had the pedal. They also make a kit, coming from an auto, but betting you already priced it. The aftermarket entry/alarm kits are pretty nice, and sorry to hear your install was crappy. I've installed a couple DEI/Crimestopper kits with built in isolation relays myself, and with a chassis wiring diagram, worked very well. Key never goes near the exterior paint now. Looks like your floor mats need some attention. I've had good luck with Blue Coral Dri-Clean Plus Upholstery Cleaner. I do this in the basement wash sink, with a scrub brush and plenty of rinse water. Then just hang them up overnight. Works well.

Shark Racer

Got them from SuperBright LEDs.

WLED-xHP6-AC: LED T10 Wedge Base Bulb | $ 4.95 |
WLED-WWHP6-AC: Warm White

They fit diirectly into a 194/168 socket.

I kept the wiring, it was nasty. I don't drive the car so much that turning a key really bothers me.

As for the carpet - I've tried. It's really faded and worn after 34 years and lots of wear.

New carpet and insulation is on my shortlist. I definitely appreciate the tip. I use a variation of steam cleaning when I do it.

tsw71

T minus 3 days. This will be a totally different car this weekend.....or whenever we actually get it done. Who knows, you may actually enjoy driving it again

Shark Racer

End of day 3

• Car and parts taken to tsw71's house
• Removed driveshaft
• Removed exhaust
• Removed ebrake cable
• Disconnected trans linkage/wiring/hoses
• Removed trans cooling hoses from rad
  Disconnected flexplate from torque converter
• Dropped transmission
• Did initial alignment of bellhousing and removed stock dowels. Bell needs at least 0.007 adjustment. Luckily I have 007 and 014 dowels.

Now, sitting on the couch sore, tired, and dirty. Need to take a shower and go to bed but don't want to move... fuuuu....

Shark Racer

Day 4

• Replaced positive/negative battery cable. Parts came from Willcox via Lectric Limited. Very nice cables, and the grommets went in super easy. Having a helper press from the opposite side while you work the conical part of the grommet through helps a lot!
• Dialed in bellhousing, has about 3th runout total.
• That previous step is an understatement. Took us a while to get there, and my stock dowels did NOT want to come out. Ended up having to use 0.014 dowels to get it corrected.
• Mounted the clutch kit. This is where things get easy.
• Did some general underbody cleanup
• Cut out the shifter hole
• ...still waiting for a driveshaft.

Photos from day 3:

WTF is this orange thing in my garage and where's my pace car?


Parts, parts, parts... ready to go to tsw71's house.


Exhaust is off. I'm holding the car in the air with telekinetic powers.


Anyone want a driveshaft for a 700R4?


Goodbye, 700R4. Somehow I feel like I won't miss you. P.S., that's tsw71's Snap-On electric impact wrench. He wanted to make sure it was in the photo. I actually do like it. It's whisper quiet and takes bolts off as good or better than my IR pneumatic gun.


Clutch kit... and I really want to recoat my headers now.

oldalaskaman

pm sent for drive shaft

jesse10886

Shark you have an avalanche and three vettes!!!?! Your a lucky man that is amazing work keep the pictures coming

jcloving

Take more pics of that snappy green clutch. You will miss it when everything is bolted back together.

Shark Racer

I'll think about it...

tsw71

If possession is 9/10 of the law, then I'm screwed. Take good care of her for me, Steve

Or should I say take care of it (edited for Les)

Shark Racer

Jesse, I only have as many vettes as I have garage parking, so that old carbon monoxide generator is only temporary.

tsw71

qwank

If it's from American Powertrain, he might see it again soon.

Shark Racer

I'll let you know whether or not they made good on the new batch. I'm just covering my ears and going LA LA LA right now.

iokepakai

Looking good on the install! Did a swap last year with a Richmond 6spd.Figured if 5 speeds are great a 6spd should be fabulous! Installed a green clutch also, had no problems with mine.AP had some issue's with clutches,hope they got it all worked out.Don't forget your auto starter won't fit the new bellhousing.Continue to post progress with lots of pics.Good luck.....Your gonna love shifting those gears......