SBC 85-older Tremec TKX 5 Speed Transmission Install Kit, 500 HP

TKX transmission kit provides essentials to fit your 1985 and older SBC
Includes 5-speed Tremec TKX manual transmission rated for 600 lb-ft of torque
Fits all small block Chevy engines, including 383 strokers, with a two-piece rear main seal
Matched performance 11-inch clutch and pressure plate supports 550 HP
168-tooth billet steel flywheel is compatible with stock or aftermarket starter
Steel bellhousing and hydraulic clutch release bearing simplify installation
Kit includes clutch, flywheel, and bellhousing bolts, pilot bearing, and more
Everything You Need to Bolt Up a Modern 5-Speed to Your 1985 and Older Engine
Nothing says “muscle” like a manual shifter lever poking up through a car’s center console. “Rowing your own” is a rite of passage and a manual transmission is certainly the preferred transmission in the tunnel of a typical muscle car, hot rod, or even a souped up classic truck. That said, it isn’t always easy to figure out how to get a modern 5-speed (or 6-speed) manual bolted up to your engine of choice. Varying flywheel specs, engine balances, and more all create confusion as to what fits and works best. That is why we have put together a whole series of small block Chevy manual transmission option conversion kits for the most popular engine applications in use today.

We take the guesswork out of which clutch to buy, what length fasteners are needed, and so much more with each of our transmission installation kits. Each kit features a modern Tremec 5-speed or 6-speed manual transmission, a steel bellhousing, performance clutch kit (disc, pressure plate, and flywheel), along with a hydraulic release bearing, pilot bearing, fasteners, and more to easily mate it to your favorite engine with no issues or forgotten parts. Simply add the appropriate transmission crossmember to your order and you’ll have everything you need to mount your transmission to your engine and into your chassis.

Tremec’s TKX 5-Speed Manual Transmission Is Proven Tough with Versatile Shifter Options
Our 1985-older SBC manual transmission swap kit features the Tremec TKX 5-speed manual transmission as the main component. The TKX is extremely popular due to its end loading case design, which makes the overall dimensions of the transmission smaller. This allows for a better fit in a larger number of applications without having to modify the transmission tunnel of the vehicle. Furthermore, the three available shifter positions (two of which can use the included short throw billet shifter assembly simply by reversing the shifter body) allow for the shifter to use the stock shifter lever opening in your floor. Just add your choice of bolt-on shift lever. Dual speedometer pickups, one manual and one electric, means no matter what speedometer you are using you can easily connect it to the TKX. The TKX’s 600 lb-ft of torque capacity, coupled with high rpm shift ability means no missed shifts. Built in backup light switch (with wiring pigtail included) means not having to mess with external plunger-style backup light switches commonly found with older manual transmissions.

The Tremec TKX in our 5 speed conversion kit features wide gear facings with sintered bronze and carbon synchronizers not only increase the torque capacity over the older (and larger) Tremec TKO-500 but provide for buttery smooth shifts up to 7,500 rpm! To further strengthen the transmission and support its 600 lb-ft torque capacity, the TKX ships with a 26-spline input shaft and 31-spline output shaft. The Tremec TKX uses 2.7 quarts of Dexron III/Mercon spec ATF and is easily serviced via the fill and drain plugs located on the passenger side of the transmission case. Tremec builds the TKX with a 2.87 First gear ratio and a street friendly .68 Fifth gear/OD ratio. The overdrive ratio provides exceptional fuel mileage even with steep rear gears. For example, fitting 4.10 gears using the .68 overdrive is equivalent to having just a 2.73 gear ratio! Have some fun in First through Fourth and then hit Fifth for some fuel economy you never thought your ride would be capable of.

A Performance Clutch Package Constructed to Handle Up To 550 Horsepower
When you’re bolting up one of these high performance modern overdrive SBC manual transmission options you want to do the job once and not have to pull the transmission back out because someone recommended the wrong clutch. This is why we put together our manual transmission swap kit with a ton of research on the best parts that compliment each other. For example, the included McLeod Super Street Pro clutch kit. This diaphragm style clutch kit features a 11-inch dual faced (organic and metallic) clutch disc and matching high clamp load pressure plate that supports up to 550 hp with smooth engagement. The billet steel flywheel works with any 1985 and older small block Chevy with two-piece rear main seal, including 283, 305, 307, 327, 360, 400, and 383 stroker variant. Its 168-tooth ring gear is compatible with both stock and aftermarket performance starters. The whole assembly works perfectly with the included Lakewood steel bellhousing and hydraulic clutch release bearing kit provided.

Low Profile Steel Bellhousing and Hydraulic Release Bearing Provide Ample Clearance
More traditional style mechanical or even cable activated clutch linkages rely on a series of connecting linkages, mounting brackets, and a clutch fork with throwout bearing. All of this becomes a packaging issue when it comes to small block Chevy engine swaps in a chassis that never had a manual transmission. Mounting a floor mount or firewall mount hydraulic clutch pedal and 3/4-inch bore master cylinder is a lot easier than trying to fab a mechanical clutch linkage or route a clutch cable through your exhaust system. Our hydraulic clutch throwout bearing is easy to setup and provides a light pedal effort that is easy to modulate.

The final piece of our 5 speed conversion kit puzzle is Lakewood’s excellent small block Chevy steel bellhousing. This heavy gauge steel bellhousing provides additional safety and strength. Suitable for use with hydraulic clutch release bearings or traditional clutch fork with pivot stud, the included hydraulic release bearing provides more under car clearance for exhaust routing. The hydraulic clutch line (and optional external bleed line) enters the bellhousing through the clutch fork opening, requiring no modifications to the bellhousing. Add Lakewood’s clutch fork boot to keep road grime and rain out of the clutch housing and support the clutch release bearing’s hydraulic line. Add in the little things that can be frustrating to find or are often forgotten about until you are “mid installation” like clutch and bellhousing bolts, pilot bearing, backup and neutral switch wiring pigtails, and so forth and you can see why our transmission installation kit will save you time and frustration.