The Tremec shifter is 1.5 inches forward of the T-5 shifter. It still comes out in the stock hole with the JTR mounting, and the HEI distributor cap 1/2" forward of the firewall. With a SouthSide Machine 6 position shift handle (more 5.0 mustang goodies here), the shift handle is right in the middle of the tunnel hole.
Pilot Bearing:
I ordered a GM to Ford Lakewood Pilot Bearing from Dark Horse Performance.
It was a very close fit (from it hitting the splined portion of the input
shaft) before the tranny spacer plate, but now it rides in the middle of
the pilot length of the input shaft.
Clutch Hydaulics:
I used a Mcleod hydraulic throw-out bearing for a GM T-5. It's
a pretty nice piece, and costs (ouch!) $259. I calculated that for
the clutch pedal height to be the same as the brake, and the resulting
short clutch master cylinder movement, I'd need a 7/8" diam. master cylinder.
Another $200 for an AP Racing short version from TrueChoice Motorsports.
Ouch! I tried this part (and sold it) part number CP2623-194.
The clutch pedal was quite stiff and the total throw of the pedal is 4
inches. Since then, I've installed a Girling remote 3/4" diameter
master cylinder and remote reservoir mounted to it with AN fittings.
This give more throw than I'd like (from brake pedal height to the floor
to get the full 0.030" clearance Mcleod recommends for a diaphram clutch)
but the pedal is just a bit stiffer than any manual trans car from the
factory.
I made (4) 18 gage steel bracket/covers to handle the exit of the hydraulic hoses of the TO bearing from the bellhousing that have grommets where the two hydraulic hoses exit the bellhousing. These are screwed into the bellhousing with a bunch of small stainless screws. I've fashioned a bracket to hold the ends of those hoses to the bellhousing using a bulkhead AN fitting and a cushioned cable clamp. A braided hose with various steel brake hose fittings connects the master cylinder to the slave.
Transmission Spacing for using the Hydraulic TO Bearing:
To have the correct spacing between the throw out bearing and the clutch
diaphram (using the hydraulic TO bearing and the stock 1LE 5 liter Camaro
TPI clutch pressure plate), I had to space the tranny back off the bellhousing.
I made a 1/8" spacer out of aluminum plate. The clutch disc is a
dual friction piece for a 10-1/2" Ford from McLeod.
Bellhousing:
This is all bolted to a Lakewood blowproof bellhousing. I had
this sitting around from years ago, and decided I'd seen one too many cars
mangled from blown flywheels (a beautiful 57 Chevy - the owner got to keep
his feet, luckily), so I decided to use it. To gain ground clearance,
I trimmed about 6 inches off the perimeter flange at the lowest point,
parallel to the ground, as installed in the car. Yeah, it's not acceptable
by the NHRA now, but it's way safer than an aluminum one.
The blowproof bellhousing is for the larger diameter Chevy flywheels,
so it interferes just slightly with the tunnel about 4 to 5 inches back
from the firewall, and about 6 to 8 inches below the tunnel opening.
I used a rubber hammer to move the tunnel a bit, to gain about 1/4" of
clearance.