Tranny adapter plate for II Much

[parsonsj]

I thought I'd share: I finished up this adapter plate between my TKO-600 and a standard LS1 bellhousing today. It also has provisions for using the Quarter Master Tri-lite hydraulic throwout bearing.

Brian Schein fired up his mill and drilled/counterbored all the holes. I cut it to shape on a bandsaw, and then sanded the edges smooth. Once I get the engine back, I'll index the plate to the bellhousing and drill/ream holes for alignment dowels.

jp

[JamesD]

Looks pretty cool. Why didn't you just go with a T56?

[awr68]

Very nice, as usual!! Brian sure is a good friend!! :)

Yeah, I thought you were going the Viper T56 route? When does II Much make it's way home?!? I cant wait to see her!!!!!!

[parsonsj]

Thanks guys.

I sold the Viper T56 last spring. The TKO is a real problem solver and is better for a bunch of reasons:

The TKO is smaller, lighter, and stronger: it weighs 20 lbs less, and is rated 150 lb-ft of torque higher.
The TKO has no messy 1-4 gizmo.
Its speedometer drives match up with my Auto Meter gauges without headache.
T56's 5th and 6th gears are unusable in any motorsports activities with their .7 and .5 overdrives. My engine is not gonna be happy cruising at 1700 rpm, so why pay a penalty for an unusable gear?
The TKO's od of .82 is much better and can be used on road tracks.
Big bonus: I can use the Quarter Master tri-lite TOB with this setup.

My TKO is brand new, whereas my Viper T56 had an unknown history. It should be one less headache and solves a bunch of problems.

jp

[JamesD]

What's the story on that tri-lite TOB? How does it differ from a standard TOB?

[parsonsj]

James,

From an LS1 point of view, it lets me get rid of the standard setup with its restrictive hydraulic port.

The tri-lite is a nice setup in its own right because it lets one work with different pedal ratios/pedal travel/master cylinders to get the pedal feel just right. The Quarter Master 8.5" dual disc clutch I'm using is designed to work with the tri-lite.

jp

[Roger Poirier]

John,

How is the paint job coming? Have you finally been able to slowdown and take a break, vacation etc? You were on a record pace for a while.

I belive this is going to be one of the ultimate cars of 2000-2010 era.
I hope the rest of the car comes out as nice as the fabrication has been performed. Plus, you can say you did it yourself. Major accomplishment.

R.P.

[parsonsj]

Roger,

You are very kind. Yeah, the past couple of months have been pretty slow and quiet. I really do have some things to get done (like this adapter plate) so I'm ready when the car gets back here in a few weeks. The engine build is heating up as my rotating assembly and block are on their way to the engine builder.

I'm trying hard to get the car ready for the PRI show in December in Orlando. It's gonna be tight.

thanks again,
jp

[awr68]

.

I'm trying hard to get the car ready for the PRI show in December in Orlando. It's gonna be tight.

Wait, what...no SEMA Show this year!?!?!?!?!?!? II Much is pretty much the reason I would show up this year...otherwise I may stay home and keep cranking out the hours on the camaro...I'm trying to get finished for a show in March myself!! :)

[homerneedspeed]

is there any problem with the input shaft length, or does the LS1 use a shorter input shaft, what is the thickness of the adapter?

[parsonsj]

Anthony,

SEMA is doubtful for me. I haven't cancelled my hotel reservations yet, but I probably will in the the next month or two.

Homer,
The original LS1 bell is designed to work with a T56, which has its own adapter plate containing the input shaft roller bearing. When the T56 is removed, the remaining bell is .800 "shorter" than a standard SBC bell. Since I'm using the TKO which uses a traditional GM input shaft, the adapter plate needs to be .800 thick.

A standard 168 tooth BBC bellhousing would have worked too. I didn't want to use it because it wouldn't have bolted to the C5 pan. Another option is the aftermarket: both McLeod and Lakewood make SFI-approved steel pans. I didn't want to use them because they wouldn't have bolted to my pan either and worse, might have had fitment issues with my headers.

jp