El Camino project car

[280Z Turbo]

The main reason to get a 5th gear is for NVH.

[Eye of the Tiger]

But racecar.

[280Z Turbo]

But racecar.

So why not Super T-10 if you want NVH?

[CaminoRacer]

Keeping the 4 speed means I have to choose between acceleration or highway cruising. I'm not worried about mpg, just engine health. I'd like to be able to cruise at 85 mph at 3000 rpm, while also improving 0-60 time.

[CaminoRacer]

^This is relevant to my interests^

How much power does the 327 make? McLeod also sells a T-5 good for 300 lb/ft torque.

[CaminoRacer]

The McLeod 5 speed mount is about 2" further back than a Muncie/Saginaw mount. Might be able to use a 700R4 mount for easy swappage.

[CaminoRacer]

I emailed McLeod on Saturday. This was their response:

Thank You for your interest in McLeod Racing.

The McLeod Racing Muscle Car 5 Speed is a Muncie Style replacement, based on a smaller more compact case design so there will be little to no tunnel modification.

The 5 speed comes with 8620 forged gear sets with the following gear ratio.

1st 2.95 2nd 1.99 3rd 1.34 4th 1.00 5th .63 along with a 32 spline output shaft and a 1-1/8 x 26 spline inputshaft.

The same as a turbo 400 or a super t-10.

The transmission crossmember is the same as a Tremec TKO 500/600, so any of the aftermarket companies that offer for those applications to your vehicle will work.

You may need to modify the length on the driveshaft.

The shifter has zero offset to fit in any specific car, to get it in a specific console you may need to purchase separately an offset shifter sub assembly that is specific to the application. The sub assemblies sell for an additional $150.00.

Also if you have a mechanical speedometer you may run into a situation where the speedo does not register correctly when going forward.

This situation requires a speedo reverser adapter that changes the signal that the speedometer will receive. The part number is 512958 and sells for $162.75.

Standard clutches, flywheels and bellhousing are no issue with this transmission.

The part number for the GM is 512957 and costs $2795.00 plus shipping.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

So it's pretty much a drop in. Other than changing a few mounts, cutting the driveshaft, getting a shifter sub assembly and a speedo adapter.

[GoCougs]

Meh, I'm not so sure I'd bother with a 5 sp. $3,000+ is a lot for just one more gear. I think I'd throw that coin into a mild all-roller EFI stroker and 3.55 gears. She'd pull plenty good and not be annoying on the freeway.

[CaminoRacer]

I'm probably going to stick with the Saginaw and buy a motorcycle instead. Even if I break the Saginaw, I have a spare sitting in the garage.

But a hydraulic clutch is still an option. That, or swap clutch forks to one that uses a heim joint connection. Right now my z-bar just rests in a little pocket in the fork, which can rattle around on the highway unless I put a tiny bit of pressure on the pedal.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-GM-Heavy-Duty-Clutch-Throwout-Fork,37080.html

[CaminoRacer]

This is what it looks like installed.

[280Z Turbo]

The Corvette has anti rattle springs for that

[Eye of the Tiger]

The clutch linkage, or the whole car thingy?

[CaminoRacer]

Mine did, but I took it off when I tried to swap headers and never put it back on. Didn't work perfectly anyway, and it wasn't a straight shot to the hole in the frame so I could hear the spring rub against the frame /OCD

[Eye of the Tiger]

Shit dude. Just cut that section of frame out. Problem solved.

[CaminoRacer]

Steering works much better when the bolts are tight. If anyone was wondering.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

 

[CaminoRacer]

Another magazine shot. Taken back in Sep/Oct when I went to a show in Colorado.

[Rupert]

Which mag?

[CaminoRacer]

Big Black Caminos (BBC)

jk. Just the Goodguys Gazette.

[Rupert]

I wish it was Big Black Caminos.

[Rupert]

Or Grande Negro Camino.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Or Grande Negro Camino.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

"Nimble", must be used in a relative context.

[CaminoRacer]

Faster than some POS 300ZX.

[CaminoRacer]

Fuck. She's dead. Thinking it blew the drivers side head gasket and got coolant in the #5/7 cylinder. Starter won't turn over. Coolant is half gone, but not in the catch can. Oil level is hella high. I think it's hydro-locked.

[Rupert]

 

[Rupert]

Time to add turbo?

[CaminoRacer]

Turbo LS?

[Rich]

Damn, that sucks