I recently installed a 2004R trans in my 69 vert I used a turbo 400 crossmember but ran into problems when the trans pan hit the crossmember. I had to shim the back of the trans up to get clearance but that messed up my driveshaft angles giving me a vibration at high speeds. After reading posts on this board I called Bow Tie Overdrives and ask them if there crossmember would work for my car, a convertible with a stock exhaust system using all of the factory bracing. There is not much room for the exhaust and I was concerned about it hitting the exhaust pipes. They told me it " should work". I installed the BTO crossmember but as I feared the right side head pipe was not even close to bolting up. So I had to return that part cost me shipping both ways and $25.00 to repowder coat it as I did scratch it putting it in. A shame it is a very nice part and would have made droping the pan much easier. So what I did was cut out a section of the Turbo 400 crosmember and turned the cut out section upside down and had a friend of mine weld it back in. The pan no longer hits and the vibration is gone.


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a95/bamillerstingray/100_0067-1.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a95/bamillerstingray/100_0068.jpg

If your exhaust clears it the BTO crossmember is the way to go but if you want to keep the stock system and braces this worked out really well. This trans was the best improvement I have made to the car I highly recomend it.

Interesting Bill. That 400 cross member does not as curvy as the one I have seen. I cannot wait until I get my car on the road and do this trans mod! What rear gears do you have?

It has 3.73 gears with p215 70 r14 tires. I took it out on the interstate today 65 MPH is about 2500 RPM now it was about 3700 RPM with the Turbo 400. I would like to take the car to the Camaro nationals in Carlise this year but I just could not drive it at 4000 rpm for 4 hours that is why I did the trans swap. I had to take the interstate 1 time last year cobalts and hondas and other cars were passing me like I was standing still and my car sounded like it was screaming. this makes it much nicer to drive without hurting the performance of the car.
The pictures make the crossmember look flater than it is.

Is that a crossmember for a Chevy ? I ask because the transmission mounting pad looks like it is offset, which it should be for a Chevy with a Big Block engine. If you have a small block a crossmember for a Pontiac Firebird should be used. These are not offset. If you do get a vibration etc., move the pad so it is on center.

Yes its a chevy crossmember, I know its offset but its been like this for years and has never caused a problem.

I used a Bow-Tie Overdrives Crossmember. No clearance issues, mounted in the original Factory Holes and you do not need to drop your Crossmember to remove the Transmission Pan.

http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com