Keisler 5-speed conversion on Early A-body: Install has begun
Hi, I recently finished a Keisler 5 speed install in my '75 Duster. I ran into all the same problems you did especially with the part of the torsion bar crossmember that's over the transmission. I also cut a substantial notch in the crossmember and then welded in a piece of angle iron to gain enough clearance. Later I saw Lou Santiago on Muscle Car on Spike TV make his own crossmember for a Chebby. Another idea would be to cut the torsion bar crossmember completely out where it starts to hit the trans, weld a plate flush on each side where you cut out the crossmember, then bend a piece of tubing to go over the trans and weld it to the plates. This would give you clearance and strength, IMHO.
Now that it's all done, I love it! I have 3.23's in the rear but it still launches hard and I can cruise down the freeway 75 mph at 2000 rpm.
Hi, I recently finished a Keisler 5 speed install in my '75 Duster. I ran into all the same problems you did especially with the part of the torsion bar crossmember that's over the transmission. I also cut a substantial notch in the crossmember and then welded in a piece of angle iron to gain enough clearance. Later I saw Lou Santiago on Muscle Car on Spike TV make his own crossmember for a Chebby. Another idea would be to cut the torsion bar crossmember completely out where it starts to hit the trans, weld a plate flush on each side where you cut out the crossmember, then bend a piece of tubing to go over the trans and weld it to the plates. This would give you clearance and strength, IMHO.
Now that it's all done, I love it! I have 3.23's in the rear but it still launches hard and I can cruise down the freeway 75 mph at 2000 rpm.