...they're installed last...
...they're installed last from inside the car. The result is a shift mechanism that looks stock, but feels anything but. Both the upper and lower factory shift boots are retained with this conversion.
Tremec transmissions use a...
Tremec transmissions use a specific fluid: American Powertrain recommends either GM or Pennzoil synchromesh gear oil.
To depict the new shift pattern,...
To depict the new shift pattern, a cover plate is provided for the original console cover. This simply attaches over the factory piece with double-sided tape, and looks enough like the original that you'll likely have to point it out to passengers.
With our installation complete,...
With our installation complete, we lowered the lift and ran the car through the gears, checking for proper operation and leaks.
Everything checked out OK,...
Everything checked out OK, so we took C3 Triple-Ex out on the road to really test the performance of our new transmission and shifter.
Rowing through the gears,...
Rowing through the gears, the improvement was nearly indescribable. Gear selection is precise, and the shifter throws are short and defined, with a smooth click of the shift handle. The improvements had us smiling already as we eased our Stingray up to highway speeds.
Cruising on the interstate,...
Cruising on the interstate, the car used to rev to around 3,000 rpm at 70 mph, making for a noisy ride. Now we simply select Fifth gear, and rpm drops to a comfortable 1,900 at the same speed. In addition to dramatically decreasing cabin noise, our new overdrive transmission will improve our C3's acceleration and fuel mileage.
Best of all, our Stingray...
Best of all, our Stingray is now even more fun to drive, encouraging us to take it on the road more often. The American Powertrain ProFit3 five-speed conversion is a great upgrade, improving the C3 in a multitude of ways. Best of all, this conversion is compatible with all Corvettes, from stock to highly modified, since the Tremec TKO can handle significantly more power than any of the factory transmissions found in early Vettes.
What Do You Think?
We've spent a lot of time building C3 Triple-Ex so it can handle a powerful engine, but deciding which engine to build for the car has proved a difficult task. Of course, we could always rebuild the 350 small-block that's in the car, and we also considered a big-block (who wouldn't want a big-block Stingray?), as well as a conversion to some kind of LS engine.
Then one day at lunch, the subject of LS conversions came up, and someone suggested the LS7 as a viable candidate. Editor Heath then countered with a challenge: "Can you build a traditional small-block of the same displacement (427 ci) that will out-power the LS7 on pump gas?"
Which option do you think we should exercise? We must admit that an LS conversion would be cool, but the challenge of topping the LS7 with a first-generation SBC might be even cooler. Log on to vetteweb.com or write us a letter and let us know what you think!