There have been so many topics on 5 speed conversions I thought I'd begin a thread on installing a GV unit in my 74 AMX. For those who aren't familiar with GV, it is an over drive gear that can be engaged in any gear...essentially turning my 4spd into an 8spd.
My driveline consists of a mild 401, 2.64 T-10, and 3.54 rear end...the GV unit has a .78 ratio when engaged.
For starters I swapped out my pilot bushing for a roller bearing and went to the beefier late 60's bearing retainer and TO bearing.
Here's a pic of the roller bearing (Sorry for the poor pics but my camera battery won't keep a charge and my wife would have a new set of door knockers if I used our good one):
Next I installed my reverse idler shaft and lever in the GV Tailshaft:
The GV supplied Thrust washer is a torrington style:
Tailshaft installed:
Top view of GV overdrive, I ground a wee bit off the ribs on both sides which gave me about 1/2" clearance from the seat crossmember:
The factory tranny crossmember needed to be cut down an inch for clearance, GV supplies a Turbo 400 tranny mount:
I felt the crossmember was a bit weak as it would bend slightly if I smacked it so welded in a couple of braces for strength:
Side view of overdrive, the speedometer cable comes right out at the lower corner of the seat crossmember and GV is sending a 90 degree which hopefully will fit...if not, then I'll have to cut about 1/2" off the corner of the crossmember:
The next pic is one GV had sent me of a Javelin installation (my camera battery died) and it shows how the adapter allows the shifter to stay in the factory position...love the fact I can keep my factory console!
Here is the unit installed, I will have to have my exhaust changed as it hits the overdrive portion:
Another view:
And straight on...you can see where the speedo housing is close to the crossmember, though it looks worse from this angle:
Once I get the 90 degree speedometer I can finish it up....need to have my driveshaft shortened roughly 13" (GV supplies a spicer yoke which will have to be mated up) then I will ensure my angles are good...the engine/tranny is raised up approximately 1/8" over the stock set up where the bell meets the tranny. When it's up on the hoist getting the exhaust done I'll try and get more pics.
So far the modifications are minimal...the last thing I wanted to do was tunnel mods, etc.