novablue454

I've searched around a bit, but haven't really found an answer. I am in the process of swapping a 2004 CTS-V LS6 and T56 into an E46 BMW. The swap kit specifies that I need a "Tremec 6-spd from a 1998-2002 Camaro/Firebird". It all looks like it will work, except the CTS-V shifter is really far back. I believe I need to convert to the F Body shifter for the trans to fit properly. Is this possible? If so, could someone send me a link to a how to or let me know what parts I need?

Thank you!

showdog75

iTrader: (8)

You need to do what I just got through doing. You'll need a gto main shaft and tail shaft housing. You need the gto main shaft because your tranny is a m12 with triple cone synchronizers, the f-body main shaft won't work in your transmission. The gto/f-body tail shaft housing is the same. You'll have to have a shift rail machined to fit that trans after changing the main shaft and tail shaft housing. You'll need that regardless if you want to maintain your reverse lock out. If you'll note in the pic I can now have the shifter in the forward location like I need for my application or the reverse location. I now have a very versatile trans with the good(imo) m12 ratios and the triple cone synchronizers.

showdog75

iTrader: (8)

My reason for doing this conversion was because I needed a splined output for a one piece slip yoke drive shaft. The cts-v doesn't have enough spline length to do this. Do you need splines or slip yoke? You can run the tri flange on the back of the gto setup as that's the way they were factory.

novablue454

Does changing the main shaft change anything in the front of the transmission? I know the Monster Clutch (Iron 11" with lightweight flywheel and release bearing support) I just bought was very specific to the CTS-V, and I'm going to be real bummed if I just wasted $1200 on a clutch I can't use.

showdog75

iTrader: (8)

No, the input shaft will remain the same. Where you bought a specific clutch for the cts-v I bought a Katech spacer so I could get away from the dual mass flywheel. I'm running a ls7 clutch with the spacer and cts-v slave.

novablue454

The monster clutch came with a lightweight flywheel, so I am also not using the dual mass. I called monster and they said it all should work fine, I just might need a shim for something

Thanks for the help!

showdog75

iTrader: (8)

You may be fine but I've learned that the cts-v bell housing is longer than the f-body or gto bell housing by a bit. Don't be surprised if you have to shim.

stevieturbo

Can you not just adapt the CTS shifter yourself ? Or does anyone do a more forward placed shifter for them ?

showdog75

iTrader: (8)

You can get a shifter like I did that drops in the forward location but if he's looking for f-body fitment then it'll be to far forward. I'm still curious whether he needs a flanged output or splined, either can be accomplished with the gto setup.

Kraken

Why bother going through all the trouble of converting to f-body if you can just mock up a shifter to appropriate length so it goes through the hole. Would that not be easier?

showdog75

iTrader: (8)

If a flanged output is ok.

Kraken

Bimmers have flanges, but if you want a yoke than there are adapters which are WAY cheaper than messing with the internals. The only reason why one may want to do that is if the tranny was super cheap and a more direct shift feel is desired.

Anyways, I'm not **** about this thing but since I'm in the same predicament I figured I would argue to make myself feel better, lol

novablue454

I'm pretty sure you need a slip somewhere. BMW had it it in the middle of the driveshaft. To get a custom 1 piece made it needed to be in the trans. Also, I don't think the shifter can be shortened enough to sit where it needs to and still have room to function. The rubber boot on top of the shifter plate comes through the hole in my trans tunnel in to the car.