FIVE SPEEDS OF FREEDOM

INSTALLING AMERICAN POWERTRAIN’S PRO-FIT KIT

Installing American Powertrain’s Pro-fit Kit

SO, YOU WANT to maximize performance yet maintain the efficiency of your truck? An overdrive transmission will definitely get you there, and the folks at American Powertrain (AP) will make it easy to hook up a five-speed TREMEC manual transmission. They have kits to place one of these transmissions behind virtually any V-8 engine.

Though many prefer the convenience of an automatic, there are plenty of pluses to having a manual. First and foremost, you will have better control over shifting when you instruct the transmission yourself instead of letting a computer do all of the thinking. For anyone who wants to attack an autocross course or whip around a corner better, a manual transmission will give you improved overall control of your vehicle. The ability to downshift at your discretion will help transfer power when you demand it, giving you the edge over an automatic.

Manual transmissions used to be more efficient than automatics, but that’s not entirely the case these days because some modern automatics have more gears. However, we will make the case that there is less headache with an AP swap kit.

Modern automatics come with more difficulties, like figuring out how to control shifts by cable or computer. A five-speed transmission will also give you more control of your vehicle’s shifting without breaking the bank.

These Pro-fit kits come complete with everything you need to get a manual five-speed transmission behind your V-8. They include lightweight aluminum cross member, speedometer solution, DOM steel driveshaft, reverse-light wiring, engine-specific pilot bearing, hydraulic clutch, pressure plate clutch, bell housing, flywheel and a Revolution shifter that allows for adjustment to work with bucket or bench seating options. With kits like this on the market, it’s a no-brainer to have more fun with your truck by running it with a five-speed.