Installing a TKO into a C1/C2/C3 Corvette
| This conversion will utilize the C/C2/C3 GM TKO Conversion Kit (See it here!) You will also need our Corvette conversion slip yoke for $225.00. I’ve had 2 customers who installed the std slip yoke in the car, but it was an incredible pain. The Corvette conversion slip yoke is a stock replacement slip yoke that is the bolt on unit. Our strong recommendation is for you to use our conversion slip yoke for $249 ($225 with purchase of a transmission). Otherwise, you have to figure out how to press this yoke together in the car. The trans will fit into your tunnel (C3s) without major modification. You can use your stock bellhousing, clutch, linkages, speedometer cable, etc. | |||
Now available!
- C2/C3 bolt in replacement crossmembers! (see pic lower on this page)
- ‘64 - ‘67 Console inserts!
- ‘69 -’76 Console inserts!
You will want our 2” offset shifter installed at the 19.5” location. This will allow you to use your stock console without modification.
It is possible to use the stock shifter location centered at 19.5” (if you do not have, or do not want to purchase the 2” offset shifter). You can make this trans and shifter work with your console, but you’ll have to do a little more work. Here’s what Mark at Excel Autocraft (801 563-0128) did for one of his customers with a ‘76:
We can also provide a driveshaft, they are $220 and up.
Mark also found that the 700R4 crossmember he bought from Bowtie Overdrives was a perfect fit for this 5sp in a ‘76! Very convenient. Otherwise, you’re going to have to modify your crossmember to work with the 5sp. For the welded in crossmember on the 4 speed cars, you’ll need to remove it to get this transmission in.
It is possible to install your trans without removing the factory welded in crossmember. However, the procedure is not for the faint-of-heart. You will need to install the trans, bellhousing, clutch, flywheel, driveshaft, etc in REVERSE order (driveshaft, trans w/bell & fork, disc, flywheel, pressure plate, etc. It’s been done, but isn’t much fun.
| Mark also provided us with these pics of the TKO install into a ‘76 (Thanks Mark!) | ||||
| Click on each pic below to show a larger version. | ||||
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  | |
| For the C2s, The TKO will not fit into the tunnel without tunnel modifications. Also, the TKO trans mount is about 2” rearward of a Muncie trans mount, so you’d need to modify the trans mount of your X frame. |
| Convert your welded in crossmember to a “bolt in” crossmember! |
| Special thanks to Craig Duncan for providing the following pics and info from his ‘71. As you can see, he chose to convert his welded in crossmember to a “bolt in”. Pretty simple! |
| Click here to email Craig Duncan directly. |
Notice the trans mount solution is shown below.. |
 Close up of the bolt together joint. |
| Here’s where the cut in the crossmember was made for the bolt together joint. The cut is 2” inboard from the most outboard slot in the crossmember |
 |
| Progress update from Craig Duncan: Feb 6, 2005: As you can see I used a portion of the old mount and welded it to the portion that I fabricated. Also the two holes on the side of the mount pick up existing holes on the crossmember. These holes in the crossmember are originally for some exhaust brackets but since I am running side pipes on this car, I decided to pick up these hole for some added strength. Because the body is off the car are there are no real published dimensions of where exactly the tail shaft of the transmission should be (up/down, left/right) I took measurements off of another car and set it up the same way. I will keep you updated as I finalize the mount fabrication. Keep in mind that all of the work I have done so far has been with the body off. I have been very meticulous in making sure that all of the mods I have done thus far will not interfere with the body but until I actually set it back on, I won’t really know. |
 |
 |
 |
| |
Here’s what the stock configuration looks like: |
| Thanks again Craig! |
