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Ford tremec 3550 to LS1 anyone?

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Old 04-18-2009, 07:09 PM
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Default Ford tremec 3550 to LS1 anyone?

I am converting my Ford 4.6L powered with a 3550 over to an LS1, and had a few questions for anyone who has done it.....

Input shaft length? pilot bearing? etc.

Also have questions on a resonably prices solution for an internal hydraulic TO bearing/slave

Anyone?
Old 04-18-2009, 07:25 PM
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why not just get the t56?
Old 04-18-2009, 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by z28hustle
why not just get the t56?
What fun would that be?

But in reality, for a bunch of reasons....

1. I already have a perfectly good beefed up 3550
2. T-56 is significantly heavier than a 3550
3. t-56 is longer/bigger than a 3550 and i would need to have a custom drive shaft fabricated.
4. I just don't wanna

:-D
Old 04-18-2009, 08:27 PM
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Read through this thread, it might have some info for you:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...-approach.html
Old 04-19-2009, 03:24 AM
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The Ford input shaft will be 1/2" longer than a GM, but a spacer or adapter bell housing can take care of that.
The real problem is the ford input shaft has a larger diameter shaft where it mates with the pilot bushing. The pilot bearing (LS7) used to mate a GM Tremec TKO, Muncie, ROD, etc...transmission input shaft to an LSx will be too small and I doubt you could machine it.
I dont see any simple off the shelf solution to get that to work. Although I guess a machine shop could mill an adapter bushing from scratch.
Other options, buy a new trans or have the input shaft changed to a GM.
Old 04-20-2009, 12:56 PM
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So here is what i was able to gather....

First the differences

Tremec PN: 5008 (Ford)
Input Shaft Length: 7.2"
Bearing Retainer Diameter: 4.85"

Tremec PN: 5009 (Chevy)
Input Shaft Length: 6.7"
Bearing Retainer Diameter: 4.68"


You can buy and swap out the input shafts and convert it to a GM version fairly easily. I have spoken to Richard at Keisler and they sell a full conversion kit for @ $250

for anyone who wants to know here is the "basic install directions" it's a pretty easy swap for the input shaft

The 26 spline inputs are very specific as to what transmission it is going in. The teeth count on the base of the input is specific in that it has to match the counter shaft correctly in order to work.

They also come in standard length of 7.250" or the short length which is 6.5". The length is determined by the depth of the bell housing. The small block Fords all used the deep 6.9" bell which requires the 7.250" input shaft. Big block Fords had 2 different depth bell housings, a 6.5" deep and a 6.2" deep. Both of those would require the short input shaft.

When changing the input it is best to stand the transmission up so that the input is facing skyward. Renove the 4 bolts that hold the front retainer to the main case and GENTLY pull up on the input shaft. You must be EXTREMELY careful as there are 17 loose needle bearings at the base of the input. Because they are not caged, they can drop into the case itself and then you have big problems.

The transmission are set by the factory for end play on the input. The 3550's and TKO's are set to between .000 -.004 end play. It is measured by using a dial indicator mounted to the front of the case and the probe of the indicator resting on the tip of the input, then turning the input shaft, measure the runout. When removing the front retainer, the bearing race as well as the input shaft shims will come out. You must install the race along with however many shims come out, back into the retainer when you swap the input shaft.

This appies to the TKO500 and TKO600 as well.
Old 04-21-2009, 10:07 AM
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Keep in mind that the Ford transmission will have a different bolt pattern than the GM, so you will either need to source a bellhousing that adapts the Ford transmission bolt pattern to the GM block bellhousing pattern, or an adaptor that bolts on to the bellhousing and adapts the transmission bolt patterns. Both will be likely to take care of the input shaft length issue.

There are pilot bearings/bushings on the market that will allow the use of the Ford input shaft with Chevy engines. Or you could have one turned locally; would not be a difficult part to make.

The easiest and most straight-forward solution would be to sell the Ford 3550 to a fellow Mustang guy and buy a new/used GM TKO.
Old 04-21-2009, 01:21 PM
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I've got a 3550 GM version if you are interested. Just taking up space in a garage, I didn't like the first gear with the 4:10's in the rear.
Old 04-21-2009, 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by ErikSOCAL
I've got a 3550 GM version if you are interested. Just taking up space in a garage, I didn't like the first gear with the 4:10's in the rear.

hmmmm, price and location?

shipped to NC 27560?
Old 04-21-2009, 02:38 PM
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Eric,
replied to your pm. sounds like its going to be a neat car!

Erik

I forgot to mention that the trans would be coming from zip 32569 if it makes a difference. If anyone has experience shipping something this size, please chime in with your recommendations on how to ship.
Old 04-22-2009, 12:21 AM
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Originally Posted by ErikSOCAL
I've got a 3550 GM version if you are interested. Just taking up space in a garage, I didn't like the first gear with the 4:10's in the rear.
If he isn't interested PM me a price I'm having the same problem as the OP.

Eric1h-If you find anyone that makes a adapter kit for this please post up any information or a PM will work to. Very interested

Last edited by BTP; 04-22-2009 at 12:34 AM.
Old 04-22-2009, 12:35 AM
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Originally Posted by ErikSOCAL
Eric,
replied to your pm. sounds like its going to be a neat car!

Erik

I forgot to mention that the trans would be coming from zip 32569 if it makes a difference. If anyone has experience shipping something this size, please chime in with your recommendations on how to ship.
UPS will take it. I've shipped a T56 via UPS before.

Andrew
Old 04-22-2009, 07:27 AM
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Awesome, thanks Andrew. I thought the 3550 was large compared to the previous M22 but its half the size of the T56!

BTP, I'll shoot you a pm with price. I asked Eric to give me a few days to get him a shipping quote.
Old 04-22-2009, 08:03 AM
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So here is what I found out....

You can conerrt a TR-3550/TKO500 to work with a GM.

I talked to the guys at http://www.moderndriveline.com/

If you use the Quicktime RM- 6037
I used this TO bearing http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...3A11&viewitem=

but the Mcloed works also but is a bit more $$ @ $350 vs $200

and then modern driveline sells a TKO500 input shaft that allows the use of a LS1 clutch(1-1/8" 26 spline)

And also sell ad adapter pilot bearing to allow the ford input shaft(.688") to to fit into the LS1 crank


bellhousing $450
input shaft $150
Pilot bearing adapter $25
new internal hydraulic TO bearing $200-350

Last edited by eric1h; 04-22-2009 at 08:27 AM.
Old 05-17-2009, 09:21 PM
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Default Quicktime 6037

I'm not sure what is going on at Quicktime but the online prices have jumped from $390, two months ago to over $520 in May.

Thanks for the homework. I'm using the same info for my project: 99 Mustang + LS2 + TKO600.
Old 05-17-2009, 10:04 PM
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Yeah, i heard the prices were going up after the first of the year, so luckily I bought mine before the jump.........

Here is a pic of my setup... The new input shaft uses a ford pilot bearing but fits an Ls1 clutch



The motor swap starts this week, so I'll have more info and pics soon!
Old 05-18-2009, 01:53 AM
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I'm curious, do you have a pic of the pilot bearing you used? Does it seat in the inside or outside, larger groove in the crank? Got a part number on it?
Old 05-22-2009, 08:37 PM
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I dont have the part# for the bushing, but i ordered it from Modern Driveline, it seats on the inside of the smaller portion of the crank.

SUCCESS!



All in all pretty easy, if you try it, just be careful when you pull the input shaft out, there are 16 needle bearings that will fall out and you want to try to keep them all in the gear cup.. I had 2 drop inside the case and it took me 20 minutes to fish them out with a magnet!



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