Transmission Swap Input 1973 Charger
#2421501
12/20/17 05:26 PM
12/20/17 05:26 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,526 North Carolina
cjskotni
OP
pro stock
|
OP
pro stock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,526
North Carolina
|
Guys, I have been thinking for awhile on how I could up the fun factor on my 1973 Charger. One of the things that grinds on me with this car is the high rev's on the highway and just being not as fun as it could be for longer trips. I am also an appreciator of a good strong motor and a manual tranny. Therefore, I wanted to start doing some research on maybe doing a conversion from my current 727 to a TK600 or T56. Here is what I have now: - 1973 Charger mild BB 500 stroker (original motor) ~500hp/550tq - non original 727 auto tranny (was a 727 car just original tranny was destroyed) - 8.75 rear with Auburn limited slip unit 3.55 gear 28" tall street tires I have looked a little on SST an Hurst's websites and I have some questions and need some input from those who have done this. Of course, I would prefer the T56 over the TK600 but what concerns me is it appears you have to cut the entire frame to squeeze it in there. I am ok doing work on the tunnel but not so OK with cutting the frame on this mostly original car. So, for those who are familiar with these swaps, can the TK600 be installed without cutting the frame? I understand no matter what the tunnel has to be patched but I REALLY don't want to butcher the frame plus I would think that might compromise the structure of the car... Also, is the TK600 worth it or would I really be wishing I had gone for the T56? My goals here are: - no frame cutting (if that's possible) - fun factor (decent OD for cruising) - factory-looking shifter setup - will live behind this motor with street tires Also, has anybody here actually done this swap and can tell me the cost for the whole deal? This is an auto car so I would need EVERYTHING pedals, slave cylinder, clutch, bellhousing, etc. I am guessing in the 4-5K range? Or should I leave this alone and not cut into this mostly original car at all? Any input is appreciated!
|
|
|
Re: Transmission Swap Input 1973 Charger
[Re: cjskotni]
#2421502
12/20/17 05:29 PM
12/20/17 05:29 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,785 Utah and Alaska
astjp2
master
|
master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,785
Utah and Alaska
|
You will need to cut to keep the driveshaft angles right.
1941 Taylorcraft 1968 Charger 1994 Wrangler 1998 Wrangler 2008 Kia Rio 2017 Jetta
I didn't do 4 years and 9 months of Graduate School to be called Mister!
|
|
|
Re: Transmission Swap Input 1973 Charger
[Re: astjp2]
#2421503
12/20/17 05:31 PM
12/20/17 05:31 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,526 North Carolina
cjskotni
OP
pro stock
|
OP
pro stock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,526
North Carolina
|
You will need to cut to keep the driveshaft angles right. So for both transmissions, you have to cut the frame?
|
|
|
Re: Transmission Swap Input 1973 Charger
[Re: Jerry]
#2421580
12/20/17 08:28 PM
12/20/17 08:28 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,456 It's a dry heat
gtx6970
Too Many Posts
|
Too Many Posts
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,456
It's a dry heat
|
passon performance a855 but you gotta wait about 1 year Ive heard this exact comment 3 or 4 years ago. Ive got 2 clients gave up and moved on
|
|
|
Re: Transmission Swap Input 1973 Charger
[Re: cjskotni]
#2421766
12/21/17 08:49 AM
12/21/17 08:49 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356 Kentucky
dfsmopars
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356
Kentucky
|
I can let you know here soon. I just ordered the TKO 600 from SST to install in my '72 Charger. It is expected to ship the day after Christmas.
‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring ‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
|
|
|
Re: Transmission Swap Input 1973 Charger
[Re: cjskotni]
#2421793
12/21/17 11:26 AM
12/21/17 11:26 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,526 North Carolina
cjskotni
OP
pro stock
|
OP
pro stock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,526
North Carolina
|
- no frame cutting (if that's possible)- not possible with either trans - fun factor (decent OD for cruising)-- either one ok T56 double OD 5th & 6th - factory-looking shifter setup - someone else will have to answer - will live behind this motor with street tires - T56 is better IMHO
I was under the impression the TKO600 could make it in there without cutting but I guess I was mistaken. I am still curious as to if this cut would compromise the car's structure or not? It seems if this had no purpose, the factory would not have put it there. This car is a restomod. It is pretty much original except the following: - changed color (originally light blue) - aluminum radiator - electric fans - Sandon AC compressor - the normal bolt-on performance goodies (headers, FF steering gear, aluminum heads, rear gear, limited slip diff, Holley carb, etc.) - had to replace the transmission case and most of the innards years ago (transmission was WRECKED when I bought the car) I know this is not a 69 R/T but would I be killing the car's value to make this significant mod to it? I just feel this will kill some of the "number's match" aspect doing this. I can let you know here soon. I just ordered the TKO 600 from SST to install in my '72 Charger. It is expected to ship the day after Christmas. Id your car a 727 car or a 4sp already? What was the cost of the kit if you don't mind me asking?
|
|
|
Re: Transmission Swap Input 1973 Charger
[Re: cjskotni]
#2421903
12/21/17 04:55 PM
12/21/17 04:55 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356 Kentucky
dfsmopars
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356
Kentucky
|
Factory 318 column shift. Request a quote from SST. You’ll have it in a day or two.
‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring ‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
|
|
|
Re: Transmission Swap Input 1973 Charger
[Re: cjskotni]
#2422049
12/21/17 10:03 PM
12/21/17 10:03 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 350 Houston
it's Bob
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 350
Houston
|
Maybe SST has cured the issue with the TKO and the crossmember? IDK. The problem before was to make it a "no cut" install you had to let the back of the trans hang down further than stock. This of course tilted the engine back further than stock. This led to driveshaft angle/U-joint angle problems with the rear axle, exhaust pipe connection if stock and header collector problems if you went that way. Look around here, or google for, pictures of the TKO, T56, and Chrysler 833 transmissions and you will see that the TREMEC trans have much more structure on top of the trans than did the 833. What used to fit under the floor now doesn't. Once you see both a T56 and a 833 side by side the 833 looks down right small in comparison. The part of the "frame" that needs to modified is fairly small, the lower trans crossmember that unbolts from the car and the upper hoop that goes over the trans and under the floor. There was a thread on here w/in the last 3 months that had some good pictures but I couldn't find it. But the hoop section need to be cut out, made taller and wider, just by a bit, and reinstalled along with floor patches to cover the new/extra space you just made. In the 73-4 Chargers you also have the rear torsion bar anchor member to remove as well to get the trans out/in. Someone else will have to report on if that needs any modifications for additional space. These are some threads with pictures that I did find, non for 73 Chargers but it helps give you an idea of what your looking at. https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbt...-automatic.htmlThe second picture shows the hoop above the trans that need to be modified. The next to last picture shows his mock up of the bolt in trans crossmember that he has made. While the thread is about an auto 518 install it gives you some idea of the problems of putting a larger trans in place of the stock one. https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbt...y-question.htmlThis thread shows the problems and a potential solution to the TKO problem but instead of cutting the car he trimmed/cut the transmission.
|
|
|
Re: Transmission Swap Input 1973 Charger
[Re: it's Bob]
#2422065
12/21/17 10:35 PM
12/21/17 10:35 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,555 Rittman Ohio
fourgearsavoy
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,555
Rittman Ohio
|
There is a lot of "girth" at the rear of these Tremec transmissions and you will probably have to cut and box the torsion bar crossmember. I re-built a few of these transmissions and compared them to an 833 and my Richmond 5-speed while it was on the bench. The T-56 was was about 5 inches wider at the mount than the 833 and 3 inches wider than the Richmond. I really liked the Richmond 5-speed but you have to cut and box the torsion bar crossmember and fab your own transmission crossmember. There are probably over 100 posts about the Keisler/SST conversions and what needs to be cut and fabbed. Gus
64 Plymouth Savoy 493 Indy EZ's by Nick at Compu-Flow 5-Speed Richmond faceplate Liberty box Dana 60
|
|
|
|
|