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Just put the body of my '65 442 convertible back on the chassis, I was under the understanding that there would be no clearance issues with the Tremic but that's not the case, see photo. Still doable and I can't wait to drive it.
I can tell you as someone who did the 6-speed Magnum, my surgery was much more extensive. That isn't bad at all. Mine has turned out to be by far the best modification I've ever made to the car. Hopefully you'll enjoy yours as much.
Just put the body of my '65 442 convertible back on the chassis, I was under the understanding that there would be no clearance issues with the Tremic but that's not the case, see photo. Still doable and I can't wait to drive it.
Which Tremec.....I put the TKX in for my restoration.....no surgery required.
I can tell you as someone who did the 6-speed Magnum, my surgery was much more extensive.
Mine has turned out to be by far the best modification I've ever made to the car.
I agree completely. Tremec makes wonderful transmissions.
I installed my T-56 twenty years ago. Before kits. Before their compact 5-speeds. And, after the first drive, the pain of installation melted away. I hope you will have that same enjoyable driving experience.
68-72 a-bodies and most other cars, the shifter is centered, so the offset handle is enough to fall in the factory hole.
64/67 its way offset, but these guys have the shifter you need.
You will love the TKX, its a great trans. Had one in my 68 for a couple years, sold the car in January, and I miss it!
BTW, I flipped my shifter around to the rear position, Just a little bit closer was a big improvement.
Also, I had a Red Robert's short throw shifter, a huge improvement over the factory shifter.
-Ben
Last edited by RAMBOW; Sep 16, 2025 at 08:25 AM.
Reason: updated more info and added link
I installed a TKX in my '70 Cutlass and had to cut a hole to provide clearance for the back of the top plate, although mine didn't protrude quite as high as yours seems to. But my top plate is a different style and my car had been an automatic.
I called tech support at my retailer (Silver Sport) and he said it's not uncommon to have to do that. Ultimately that surgery is nothing compared to what's needed to fit a TKO from what I understand!
This is what a TKX conversion from a factory Muncie looks like. No pan mods, although it is tight at the rear of the shifter plate like some others. You can see the offset shifter location is good, however, this is the wrong shift stub. We had to try a couple to get it right with the console and my shifter handle shape.
I installed a TKX in my '70 Cutlass and had to cut a hole to provide clearance for the back of the top plate, although mine didn't protrude quite as high as yours seems to. But my top plate is a different style and my car had been an automatic.
I called tech support at my retailer (Silver Sport) and he said it's not uncommon to have to do that. Ultimately that surgery is nothing compared to what's needed to fit a TKO from what I understand!
FWIW, you don't have a factory 4 speed hump in there, that's why you had to cut it.
The opening UNDER the 4spd hump is large enough for both sides of the shifter plate to fit w/o additional cutting.
I can tell you as someone who did the 6-speed Magnum, my surgery was much more extensive. That isn't bad at all. Mine has turned out to be by far the best modification I've ever made to the car. Hopefully you'll enjoy yours as much.
My Tremic is the TKX, looks like some TKX installations didn't need any surgery. This car goes to my daughter after I enjoy it and can't drive anymore.
This is what a TKX conversion from a factory Muncie looks like. No pan mods, although it is tight at the rear of the shifter plate like some others. You can see the offset shifter location is good, however, this is the wrong shift stub. We had to try a couple to get it right with the console and my shifter handle shape.
Which adapter by what manufacturer gave you this result? I’m almost to this point, and am looking for the cleanest, least modified solution. (No modifications was one of my biggest selling features for the TKX)
Which adapter by what manufacturer gave you this result? I’m almost to this point, and am looking for the cleanest, least modified solution. (No modifications was one of my biggest selling features for the TKX)
This picture is with the shifter stub that was supplied with the transmission for a 1970 WITH console. The stock console shift lever may have worked with this arrangement; however, my Muncie had a competition plus shifter on it. That shifter required a straight up and down stub.
Just put the body of my '65 442 convertible back on the chassis, I was under the understanding that there would be no clearance issues with the Tremic but that's not the case, see photo. Still doable and I can't wait to drive it.
Your vendor was inexperienced and sold you the wrong shifter.
The entire shifter body needs to be 2-1/2" to the left for your Oldsmobile. Your vendor gave you the proper stick location but, the shifter body pivot is still on center and will not work as you found out.
Attached is my pic with the correct offset shifter for your application. I was involved with the development of this shifter and it was a 2 year process to get it available.
Man, you are correct, sold me the wrong off set! That would have put the shift lever at the factory height but I do like the shift handle being higher than factory.
Your vendor was inexperienced and sold you the wrong shifter.
The entire shifter body needs to be 2-1/2" to the left for your Oldsmobile. Your vendor gave you the proper stick location but, the shifter body pivot is still on center and will not work as you found out.
Attached is my pic with the correct offset shifter for your application. I was involved with the development of this shifter and it was a 2 year process to get it available.
That shifter is way nicer than the offset one that comes from Silversport. Where can we get these?
That shifter is way nicer than the offset one that comes from Silversport. Where can we get these?
Since I helped developed these bolt on shifters, I have them available direct from me.
The whole purpose of these bolt on shifters; I’m actually a car guy 1st and these developed shifters allow you to take any off the shelf TKX with the correct off center setup.
Last edited by JodysTransmissions; Feb 6, 2026 at 09:41 AM.
FWIW, you don't have a factory 4 speed hump in there, that's why you had to cut it.
The opening UNDER the 4spd hump is large enough for both sides of the shifter plate to fit w/o additional cutting.
Hello Ben! Thanks for the kind words.
You are so correct, adding the simple missing shifter hump could have saved the day here.
I do not know off the top of my head. It has the factory console and top plate so taking a measurement soon in not in the cards. Someone on this Board, like Mike, may know and jump in.
Here is a 67 4 speed console hump which I recall is the same as a 66:
FWIW, you don't have a factory 4 speed hump in there, that's why you had to cut it.
The opening UNDER the 4spd hump is large enough for both sides of the shifter plate to fit w/o additional cutting.
Originally Posted by JodysTransmissions
Hello Ben! Thanks for the kind words.
You are so correct, adding the simple missing shifter hump could have saved the day here.
Not in this case, although the initial hole would have been bigger. Mine was a column shift to manual conversion and the transmission as received from Silver Sport had the shifter stub centered on the transmission. (This was before I was aware of offset options.) I tried fitting an aftermarket hump before cutting the full hole opening, but the stub location interfered with the hump and would obviously not work with my setup.
I converted an automatic shift console to the 4 speed version using the aftermarket saddle and boot, and the stub appeared to be positioned decently. The shifter handle SST supplied was my only beef - it was round and obviously wouldn't fit through the square chrome trim of the stock style boot. I initially used a Hurst 5387236 shift stick but found it too tall, not enough lean back or offset for comfort but it was usable. Switching to a Hurst 5387436 handle addressed my issues and I'm happy with the setup now.
I'd imagine an offset adapter like Jody's would facilitate a more stockish appearing installation, work well with a hump and work better with an original shifter handle.
Oh, and now I have an aftermarket hump for sale :-D
