[Podus Rex]

I'm planning on putting in a tremec 3550 transmission in my FFR. I'm assuming (always a dangerous thing) that the best location would be mid-mounted because a front-mount would be too close to the firewall. Is that correct? Are there photos around of FFR Roadsters with the mid-mount? I'd love to see how it all fits.

Thanks for any info.

 

[ddimick]

According to Mike Forte (who would know), using the mid shifter location will require relocating a frame brace. Not sure how big a deal this would be, but I decided to go with a rear shifter.

 

[oldguy668]

The Mk II frame has a diagonal brace exactly where the mid shifter hole is. Some cutting and welding would be required to use it. The front shifter location is out of the question. I'll post some pics if you'd like, but Mike is 100% right.

Happy motoring

 

[wnstwolf]

I have the shifter in the Rear (Normal location) and it puts the shift knob right in the middle of the tunnel.. While there is about 12" more room forward to go I would think if your going to use the Classic reverse look shifter arm the mid mount on the tranny would put the shift knob to far forward and you would need to lean forward to reach it easily????

 

[Mike Braddock]

Brian Dinsmore (Quik1) has installed a 3550 using the mid shifter position. Here's a thread showing a picture of the install:

http://www.ffcars.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005134

I believe I read that Mike Forte will also have a custom Pro 5.0 style shifter platform for this middle location pretty soon, too. Brian says it works fantastic. And judging by his 10.74 pass in a 289 powered FFR, I'd have to agree

Mike

 

[wnstwolf]

By the looks of Brians he aint usint the classic reverse shifter arm.. looks like a home grown unit?

 

[oldguy668]

That's a picture of a MkI trans tunnel. There's no bracing to interfere with the shifter. I had Mike Forte install a mid shifter ($300) on my 3550, only to find out I'd have to cut and weld lots of stuff to make it fit. I switched back to the rear shift.

Happy motoring

 

[Mike Braddock]

Oldguy,

Is there more to it than just cutting out that one forward cross brace in the tunnel? I suppose another could be added that clears the shifter. I'm just curious -- why did you decide against it?

Mike

 

[wnstwolf]

Oldguy..

We are on the same crash course of spend now learn later!

 

[David Borden]

From talking with a few folks. The tremec is MUCH easier to shift from the mid point. Jim at FFR told me it was if the tranny was meant to be shifted from that location. Totally transformed the way the tranny/car shifted.

The braces in the new MrkII are to triangulate that area. You can simply cut them out and reweld in a location that does not impact the new shifter. As long as you triangulate the area, you should be fine.

David

 

[Rob]

OK I have to admit I am short! So the midpoint would be much better, getting me closer to the pedles... well i can add blocks of wood... all kidding aside... I hear that you can not add an aftermarket shifter to the mid-shift location...Is this true? So my question is what is available for a shifter in the middle location?

Rgds

Rob

 

[oldguy668]

I agree with David as to the extent of the work. However, being 56 years old and never having had to learn welding, I chose to pass on frame mods. I'm not racing the car, so the shifter location is not as important to me as it is to others. I would have liked the mid shifter, but the time and money were better spent elsewhere. Life is just a series of choices.

Happy motoring (and shifting)

 

[David Borden]

Agreed... just choice. It would be helpfull if you plan on tracking the car, or if you are going with low gears and need to shift a bunch.

David

 

[brettredd]

Here are some pics of a Tremec with midshift kit and an aftermarket shifter in an MK1 frame. The shift lever is about 11" behind the horeshoe panel.

 

[LuisO]

Redd Snake,

Which aftermarket shifter is that? Brand?

 

[Rob]

I thought you couldn't use an aftermarket shifter... what shifter is that... TTT

 

[blinn]

That shifter looks alot like a Pro 5.0 but I thought that only Tremec had shifters for the mid and front position
Brian

 

[brettredd]

The shifter is a Pro 5.0. Bob Hanlon of Hanlon Motorsports installs them as an option for the Tremecs he sells.

 

[Mark Reynolds]

How about cutting out the one triangulation brace and just leaving it out. After all, 2000 or so FFR's have no backbone at all.

 

[Frank n Sons]

That Pro shifter is neat. There was no aftermarket shifter available when we put our midshift TKO in. Too bad it is all buttoned up now, but I'm happy with the one that is in there now. Mid position is best. I think the forward one might work but if you ever added a radio or switch plate ouver the tunnel and under the middle of the dash, it would not work.

Rob - I am also vertically challenged (5'6"). My problem was that when I had the seat in the full forward position, I was too close to the steering wheel (a lot of beer has gone into the waistline). With the seat back one notch, I had no problem with the wheel, gas or brake pedals but the clutch was a pain in the butt. I took the clutch pedal off and my machine shop guy cut and added a piece bringing it forward about an inch but with the same angle. It is great now. Might want to give that a thought.

Frank.