FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

I know this has been covered, there is definately some useful threads in the archives that I have read through.

I just had a few more questions.

First off this swap is for my FJ ute, but I thought I would ask here since of all the early holden forums on the net this is definately the best.

Floor mods, how much bigger is the trimatic than the original 3spd manual box, what needs to be done to fit it(I know the FJ may be a little different to FE/FC)?

What years/models had the trimatic with the vacuum operated kick-down (since this seems to be the choice for ease of install)?

What years/models had the trimatic with the '360deg' bellhousing which seems to be the one to go for?

Gearbox crossmember, does anyone have pics of their modified crossmember for this swap?

Cheers

Gday there EKSPECIAL.  I have just successfully completed this procedure behind an FC Special sedan.  First of all I purchased a adaptor plate kit from Rodger HANCOCK for $140-.  You will then have to acquire a pair of rear EK Hydro engine mount plates or modify the ones that you have.  I got a trimatic from a torana and then went to wreckers and got a 360 degree bellhousing from there rubbish bin!  Yoyu will also need a red motor flex plate and have to redrill it to suit the grey(easiest way is to cut off the end of a grey motor crank if you can find one for a template.)  If I could scan Id put the instructions up here, I might send them to another forum member who should be able to do this.  I have a crossmember from FCCOOL which i will use but Rodger stressed to me that the rear engine mounts are quite adaquate to hold it there with nothing else.  You will need a bigger hump, I used a HQ Holden one cut down but best way is get a prefab one from CRS in castlemaine as they are based on EK Hydro floor tunnels.  Good luck withthe conversion I will have to hunt down Rodgers number if you want it or send earlyholden fan(matt) a pm as he has it

                                                                tayz
ok I have scanned instructions and sent them to FEHOTROD, see how it goes

Hi Tayz,

Thanks for that info, extremely useful. I would definately like to look at those instructions you mentioned.

Did you go for a vacuum actuated kick down?

Is your speedo working, did you have to buy a special cable to get it working?

Cheers,

Daz

Hi Daz,
Cable you will need is readily available from Rares Spares, ask for the 80 inch early Holden cable with screw in end, and Trimatic / Aussie 4 Speed fitting, it is an over the counter job.

It will depend on what diff ratio and tyre set up you will be running as to what speedo drive change (if any) you will have to make with the trimatic

If you need a set of EK Hydramatic mounts I think I still have a set here that Tayz didnt need off me, so shoot me a PM if you need them

Vacuum Actuator, if your car is running a boosted brake system, get a T piece and run them both from the same location, if no brake booster then use that pick up point in the manifold to do the trick

It is easy to do what Tayz did and get the gearbox bellhousings changed over, however if you look for a very late HZ or the WB commercial range you will be able to find a 6cyl 360 degree bellhousing with the gearshift on the right hand side, this is essential for column shifter, or if you go T-bar they ran the Trimatic through to the VK commodores you could even use the T-Barshifters out of one of them if needed, as they have the gearshift on the left hand side of the gearbox.
I use a torque converter from a Commodore as they have the nuts welded to the converter, makes it much easier to get the converter bolted up with limited space.

Little stuff as well, HR neutral cut out switch for column shift, red motor starter (highly suggest the mini starter from later cars better fit) and bob's your uncle!

Hope that helps a little
Matt

Hi Daz, I was colecting parts to do this conversion untill I found a 350 chev, now plans have changed, I have the adaptor from Roger and an auto trans with a 360 degree bell housing, if you are interested call me on 0414 557 622 Thanks Trev 8).

Cool, great info guys. I have sent you both PM's regarding the parts.

I had a look at a hydramatic ek today and saw the mounts you mean, I never realised they were there. So these mounts will bolt straight up to a trimatic in my FJ, or will they need further mods?

Also this adaptor you guys mentioned that Roger makes, is that a flex plate re-drilled with the bolt pattern from the grey motor crankshaft?

I will be hitting the parts yards over the weekend to see what I can get for the swap (I doubt there are any ek's there, but I am hoping there will be plenty of trimatic holdens around).

Thanks,

Daz

 ;)Daz ive been helping tayz out with his trimatic conversion,and ive found that the biggest problem we had was trying to redrill the red motor flex plate to suit the grey crank,as these holes will end up being overlaped!!and i wasnt to happy about fitting it to the craank with elongated holes,we tryed welding the old holes up and then the flexplate warped too the max!!what was needed is a flex plate made with no holes then the grey pattern can be drilled into it!!it was a big hassle!!cheers jamie

EKDave, get a red motor flexplate.  Try and get hold of a grey motor crank shaft.  Cut off the end and use it as a template, its the easiest and best way to do it and you will miss all the predrilled holes

Hi ekspecial,
I have for sale a full bellhousing trimatic transmission still fitted to HZ Holden  so you can test drive. Floor hump also available as i'm wrecking the whole car. If interested Phone 0427430044. Ulladulla N.S.W.
Regards ACE  8)