2004 Pontiac GTO Clutch Install - Shifting Stability

Remove the stock remote shifter base. Most of these bolts were likely removed already to get the transmission free from the car, so if there are any bolts left, obviously they need to come out.

Since we decided to change to synthetic fluid while we had the transmission out and had drained it while it was still installed, now was an excellent time to fill it. The T56 in the GTO takes 4.6 quarts. Mobil 1 or Royal Purple seem to be the fluids of choice for most late-model Goat owners.

Here you can see what will replace our stock remote mount shifter. GM Motorsports' (GMM) RipShift is one of the best-selling shifters in Australia, and is available here in the United States exclusively through Speed Inc. This shifter should give us the connected feel we've been looking for in our GTO. The curved handle allows the shifter to be mounted directly to the transmission but still enter the cabin in the stock position. Another bonus is the handle is ever so slightly moved to the driver side.

The RipShift is a breeze to install when the transmission is out, which is why we chose to do it now. Simply install the shifter using three of the stock bolts and one low-profile Allen-head, which is included in the kit (shown at the back). Attach the shifter handle loosely so you can use it to set the stops.

Using two 13mm wrenches, loosen the shift stop lock nut and adjust the shifter so that you have one full business-card width between the end of the stop and the shifter handle AFTER you've put the transmission into Second gear. It's important to take your time and feel out the engagement point. You may also choose to do this with the transmission in the car, as it may be easier to feel with the engine running. Now simply reverse the disassembly process and put your GTO back together. There aren't any special reassembly procedures other than lining up the input shaft into the clutch. The rest is quite simple. Be sure to torque the bellhousing-to-engine bolts to 37 ft-lb and the transmission-to-bellhousing bolts to 25 ft-lb. You will obviously need to bleed the clutch, which is accomplished by pushing it to the floor and having someone open and close the bleeder until all air is exhausted from the clutch hydraulic system (or you can reference "Driveline Brutification" in the November '05 issue of HPP to learn how to powerbleed the clutch). Be careful to keep a close eye on the clutch fluid level, as during bleeding you can run the reservoir dry in about two full pumps.