C3 Corvette Transmission - Maximum Overdrive

Following the instructions included with the kit, we removed the distributor, the console cover, and the shift handle before putting the car on the lift and disconnecting the exhaust.

Using a screw jack, the engine can be supported so the transmission mount can be removed. It's also easiest to remove the shifter and all of the linkage at this time.

Since the rear crossmember in the C3 is fixed, the transmission won't drop straight out. You'll definitely need the help of a friend here, as a trans jack won't support the transmission at the extreme angles necessary.

Side by side, the Tremec 5-speed is noticeably bigger than the Borg-Warner T-10. Given the constraints of the Stingray's transmission tunnel, we knew this was going to be a tight fit.

The T-10 and the Tremec are dimensionally identical in the front, so we didn't need a bellhousing or clutch with our kit. This really was a simple installation, and the clear instructions helped make the job even easier.

The trick to getting the larger Tremec in place is to lower the back of the engine as far as possible, remove the bellhousing, and then, with the tailshaft supported on the fixed crossmember, rotate the bellhousing and transmission into place together.

With the pieces lined up, the trans and bellhousing can be slid into place together. New fasteners are included with the kit where necessary.

At the rear crossmember, the factory bracket is replaced by this new MIG-welded and powdercoated bracket. This bolts directly in place of the stock bracket using the same bolt holes, so no drilling or fabricating is required.

The transmission is mounted with the new polyurethane mount provided with the kit...

...and then held in place with the new crossmember bracket.

Another nice feature of this kit is the speedometer-cable extension. Rather than having to get behind the dash to replace the entire cable, a simple adapter cable is provided to connect the original unit to the new Tremec trans.

Since the shift tower and replica shift handle are easily removable...