Today, I got to play the role of novice sheetmetal fabricator. I had originally installed the SpeedTech transmission tunnel, back when I was planning to use the SpeedTech/ATS engine mounts and cross-member. But, I made the switch to the Holley/Hooker engine mounts and headers, because I wanted the engine to sit as low and far back as possible. Glad I did so, because of how close the intake manifold came to the hood, even in the lowest position.
But, as many of you know, parts from different brands do not play well together. The transmission tunnel did not line up with the new location of the shifter. I installed the transmission, and marked the holes from underneath, and drilled the four corners where the shifter plate is located. You can see I nailed it, with the SpeedTech tunnel plate having the corner right in the middle of the shifter. Typical. Haha
This would require me to fabricate a new shifter cover. I wanted to make sure it was removable, so that I could easily access the shifter and remove it, if needed.
Spot welds drilled from the SpeedTech tunnel cover. Cut the rear section of the tunnel cover off.
Here is where the T56 transmission sits, relative to everything. Yes, I got very good at installing this transmission, did it about 4 times yesterday.
Opened up the hole to match the rear of the shifter plate location.
I made a template out of posterboard, then traced it onto some sheetmetal. I cut it out with my plasma cutter, and used a sheet metal brake and some hammering to make the bends.
Installed some 1/4-inch nut-serts into the floorboard.
Final fitment done. Time to install the transmission again, to mark the shifter hole placement.
Tony