Tired of the 5 speed

[adam76!]

Hello friends I’m new here but not new to Mopar. Anyway I’ve owned a 69 charger since 2001 440 car. 6 years ago I did a tremic 5 speed swap from automatic. Been sick for past 4 years car been in storage, got it back got it running again. But am just over this shifting. Really just want to go back to automatic. I had a brain injury since the 5 speed swap so I’m trying to figure out what all I’m gonna need to swap back. I do have a tci automatic transmission that was in it before I did the swap. I know it needs rebuilt. Nothing wrong with this tremic 5 speed maybe someone may want it. Just want to go back to automatic transmission
I have aluminum radiator aftermarket with fans and don’t wanna disturb that, so how would I hook up a trans cooler and where to put it ? And what all will I need to make this work? Again sorry to sound so dumb but this brain injury has left me really messed up. But doing this kind of work I think would help me. Thanks for reading and sorry for the long post

Adam

 

[Dennis H]

Not sure if this helps, but I replaced the early Keisler/Tremec with an SST and new clutch from them. Shifts a breeze and 2-3 is what it always should have been. Light pedal and easy drive in heavy traffic.

 

[HawkRod]

Hello friends I’m new here but not new to Mopar. Anyway I’ve owned a 69 charger since 2001 440 car. 6 years ago I did a tremic 5 speed swap from automatic. Been sick for past 4 years car been in storage, got it back got it running again. But am just over this shifting. Really just want to go back to automatic. I had a brain injury since the 5 speed swap so I’m trying to figure out what all I’m gonna need to swap back. I do have a tci automatic transmission that was in it before I did the swap. I know it needs rebuilt. Nothing wrong with this tremic 5 speed maybe someone may want it. Just want to go back to automatic transmission
I have aluminum radiator aftermarket with fans and don’t wanna disturb that, so how would I hook up a trans cooler and where to put it ? And what all will I need to make this work? Again sorry to sound so dumb but this brain injury has left me really messed up. But doing this kind of work I think would help me. Thanks for reading and sorry for the long post

Adam

View attachment 1981878

Sorry to hear about your injury but glad you are getting back to it. Please go to the welcome wagon thread and introduce yourself as well - we'd love to see pictures of your car!

No shame in wanting an automatic for easier shifting, just be aware that you will lose overdrive when you go back to a 3 speed 727 automatic (that is likely what your TCI unit is).

Very high level: You will need to remove the drive shaft, transmission, cross member, bellhousing, clutch and flywheel. To put the auto back in it you will need a flex plate, torque converter, automatic transmission, cross member, transmission cooling lines and drive shaft. You will also need to install kickdown linkage for the transmission pressure. This is very important because without it you will destroy your transmission quickly.

Some notes to research:
* You need to know if your engine is internally or externally balanced. This will affect your torque converter (or flex plate). You need to know this otherwise you risk putting an imbalance in your engine when you put it together.

* You may need a modified or different drive shaft due to length differences in the manual vs. automatic transmissions.

* You may need a modified or different transmission cross member due to mounting differences in the manual vs. automatic transmissions

I'm sure I forgot a few points but hopefully this will get you started.

Good luck!

 

[adam76!]

Not sure if this helps, but I replaced the early Keisler/Tremec with an SST and new clutch from them. Shifts a breeze and 2-3 is what it always should have been. Light pedal and easy drive in heavy traffic.

What exactly is that ? So you stayed with the manual ? Sorry don’t follow.

 

[adam76!]

Sorry to hear about your injury but glad you are getting back to it. Please go to the welcome wagon thread and introduce yourself as well - we'd love to see pictures of your car!

No shame in wanting an automatic for easier shifting, just be aware that you will lose overdrive when you go back to a 3 speed 727 automatic (that is likely what your TCI unit is).

Very high level: You will need to remove the drive shaft, transmission, cross member, bellhousing, clutch and flywheel. To put the auto back in it you will need a flex plate, torque converter, automatic transmission, cross member, transmission cooling lines and drive shaft. You will also need to install kickdown linkage for the transmission pressure. This is very important because without it you will destroy your transmission quickly.

Some notes to research:
* You need to know if your engine is internally or externally balanced. This will affect your torque converter (or flex plate). You need to know this otherwise you risk putting an imbalance in your engine when you put it together.

* You may need a modified or different drive shaft due to length differences in the manual vs. automatic transmissions.

* You may need a modified or different transmission cross member due to mounting differences in the manual vs. automatic transmissions

I'm sure I forgot a few points but hopefully this will get you started.

Good luck!

Thanks for the detail. I appreciate it. I don’t know if my engine is internally balanced or not. I just don’t know. The engine builder went out of business. I want to say it is internal balanced. I don’t remember changing out the fly wheel when I put the tremic in.but I could have. And I think the same drive shaft (original drive shaft was used ) but agin I can’t remember. Cross member I think is the same. I have all my old parts in storage from original.
The tci automatic I had was really good. Never slipped or anything. One day it started leaking fluid fast fast out of front so I took trans out and pulled torque converter and behind the front seal were ball bearings the size of green peas. That’s when I decided to put manual in. The tci had no more then 2500 miles on it. Also had reverse manual valve body on it. But want to just press the gas and go don’t wanna even shift that way either. Wonder where those ball bearings came from?

 

[Dennis H]

What exactly is that ? So you stayed with the manual ? Sorry don’t follow.

Yes. Considered an Auto, but this drive improvement brought it closer to friendly “modern traffic.
SST makes a massaged Tremec more friendly than earlier versions. Light pedal. Easy launch.

 

[adam76!]

Yes. Considered an Auto, but this drive improvement brought it closer to friendly “modern traffic.
SST makes a massaged Tremec more friendly than earlier versions. Light pedal. Easy launch.

Yeah the pedal is so freaking hard.

 

[Bird 426]

Sounds like you have everything, look at the bottom of your radiator where the trans cooler lines go. You must think that you changed your radiator. Get the trans rebuilt. I get it, pulled the 4-speed out of my Road Runner.

 

[Kern Dog]

I understand that the convenience of an automatic transmission is great. If you are having trouble driving the car (physically) it is absolutely understandable.
You may find that the 5 speed manual parts will MORE than pay for the return to a 727. You may end up dollars ahead on this.
It sure would be great if you could find someone local that is looking to convert to the manual transmission.
A few tidbits though...
No, the transmission crossmember is not the same from automatic to the Tremec.
The flywheel/flex plate is different too.
The drive shaft in the Tremec is longer than the one used with the 727.
Transmission cooler lines are being reproduced. You could use an external cooler, I did for years.

 

[toolmanmike]

Welcome to the site. Are you tired of shifting or tired of the clutch? If it's the clutch, It sounds like a new style diaphragm clutch may be in order. They work well with minimal pedal pressure. If you are tired of shifting, a 5 speed transmission is not your friend, although 4th and 5th probably aren't used all that much cruising around town. You can repair what you have and hope it solves the issue or sell what you have and buy something with an automatic that you may enjoy more. Good luck.

Hello friends I’m new here but not new to Mopar. Anyway I’ve owned a 69 charger since 2001 440 car. 6 years ago I did a tremic 5 speed swap from automatic. Been sick for past 4 years car been in storage, got it back got it running again. But am just over this shifting. Really just want to go back to automatic. I had a brain injury since the 5 speed swap so I’m trying to figure out what all I’m gonna need to swap back. I do have a tci automatic transmission that was in it before I did the swap. I know it needs rebuilt. Nothing wrong with this tremic 5 speed maybe someone may want it. Just want to go back to automatic transmission
I have aluminum radiator aftermarket with fans and don’t wanna disturb that, so how would I hook up a trans cooler and where to put it ? And what all will I need to make this work? Again sorry to sound so dumb but this brain injury has left me really messed up. But doing this kind of work I think would help me. Thanks for reading and sorry for the long post

Adam

View attachment 1981878

 

[HawkRod]

I don’t know if my engine is internally balanced or not. I just don’t know.

When you pull off the flywheel it will tell you. You'll see extra weights if it is externally balanced.

The tci automatic I had was really good. Never slipped or anything. One day it started leaking fluid fast fast out of front so I took trans out and pulled torque converter and behind the front seal were ball bearings the size of green peas. That’s when I decided to put manual in. The tci had no more then 2500 miles on it. Also had reverse manual valve body on it. But want to just press the gas and go don’t wanna even shift that way either. Wonder where those ball bearings came from?

Behind the front seal is the pump. There are no bearings there so I'm not sure what that could be. Regardless, have a competent rebuilder go through the transmission so it is ready to go.

You say you have all the parts that were taken off when the car was converted to a manual, so you should then have crossmember and driveshaft if they were different. Also, your flex plate of torque converter will tell you if your engine is externally balanced as well.

 

[Armyvet25]

if you want the shifting but without a clutch, when you swap do a manual valve body, best of both worlds combined

 

[lewtot184]

i'm a product of the '60's muscle scene and back then i wouldn't touch a "slushbox". being older i still have a love for the old 833, but time marches on. i've messed with a couple of peoples cars that have the old tremec and in my opinion i woudn't have one. newer stuff is supposed to be better. but, having said that it's a pleasant drive to hop in my '69 r/t with a "slushbox" and power steering and power brakes. my other car is automatic too, but no power accessaries. they are not as nimble as a manual trans, but get me from point A to point B without issue. age does bring limitations and injuries compound this. i'm certain i coudn't bang gears like i used to.

 

[adam76!]

Sounds like you have everything, look at the bottom of your radiator where the trans cooler lines go. You must think that you changed your radiator. Get the trans rebuilt. I get it, pulled the 4-speed out of my Road Runner.

I know for sure the radiator don’t have trans cooler. It’s aftermarket aluminum. I did have one at one time that did but I bought this one when I got the 5 speed knowing I didn’t need cooler. Thanks for reply.

 

[adam76!]

I understand that the convenience of an automatic transmission is great. If you are having trouble driving the car (physically) it is absolutely understandable.
You may find that the 5 speed manual parts will MORE than pay for the return to a 727. You may end up dollars ahead on this.
It sure would be great if you could find someone local that is looking to convert to the manual transmission.
A few tidbits though...
No, the transmission crossmember is not the same from automatic to the Tremec.
The flywheel/flex plate is different too.
The drive shaft in the Tremec is longer than the one used with the 727.
Transmission cooler lines are being reproduced. You could use an external cooler, I did for years.

Yeah that would be nice. It’s just not smooth shifting at all. Like driving a
An old f350 4 speed. Clutch is so hard. Just want to press the gas and go. I know I still have all the old parts. Somewhere. Thanks for reply.

 

[adam76!]

Welcome to the site. Are you tired of shifting or tired of the clutch? If it's the clutch, It sounds like a new style diaphragm clutch may be in order. They work well with minimal pedal pressure. If you are tired of shifting, a 5 speed transmission is not your friend, although 4th and 5th probably aren't used all that much cruising around town. You can repair what you have and hope it solves the issue or sell what you have and buy something with an automatic that you may enjoy more. Good luck.

Yeah just tried of shifting man. Thanks

 

[adam76!]

When you pull off the flywheel it will tell you. You'll see extra weights if it is externally balanced.


Behind the front seal is the pump. There are no bearings there so I'm not sure what that could be. Regardless, have a competent rebuilder go through the transmission so it is ready to go.

You say you have all the parts that were taken off when the car was converted to a manual, so you should then have crossmember and driveshaft if they were different. Also, your flex plate of torque converter will tell you if your engine is externally balanced as well.

From what I have been reading about the ball bearings I found on the tci
Standard 727 transmissions use a front pump bushing (CT2079137B) to support the converter. However, professional builders sometimes
"rollerize" the pump by machining it to accept a large ball or roller bearing for extreme high-RPM use. Also read that some high preference torque converters use ball bearings as well.

 

[adam76!]

if you want the shifting but without a clutch, when you swap do a manual valve body, best of both worlds combined

That’s what I had before the swap. Really want to just press gas and go. The tci I have now is a manual valve body. Want just regular drive and go.

 

[r4sedan]

Sorry to hear about your injury. I'm sure you could recoup some money from the manual set up in your car and rebuild your old transmission or source out another one.

 

[toolmanmike]

Yeah just tried of shifting man. Thanks

I see an automatic car in your future. LOL