What 5 Speed Conversion Is Best

24329 Views 18 Replies 19 Participants Last post by tchism405, Feb 27, 2008

Awesome 72

Discussion Starter · Jun 7, 2007

Advice Please Fellow Vetters.....what 5 Speed Conversion Is The Simplest And Best For My C3. Make And Suppliers Please.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

zwede

· #2 · Jun 7, 2007

Awesome 72 said:
Advice Please Fellow Vetters.....what 5 Speed Conversion Is The Simplest And Best For My C3. Make And Suppliers Please.

Both keisler and classic make conversion kits that pretty much bolt-on. I still recommend you make your cross member removable (if you have a 4-speed car). Even though it is possible to install the 5-speed with a fixed cross member it's such a pain.

Or if you're prepared to spend a few more hours you can get a universal tremec and do the mods yourself. Going that route will save you close to $1000. I did my own conversion a few years ago and the total came to $2k.

Some pics of my install:

Tremec Install

TwinTurbo

· #3 · Jun 7, 2007

I don't think it's such a pita to install it with a fixed crossmember, only took me about half an hour or so. I don't like how the cut crossmember looks, unless you use a nice pair of plates that bolt together welded at each end.

mrvette

· #4 · Jun 7, 2007

Yeh, a few years ago I got good and pissed of at pulling the engine yet again for a 700 tranny repair....it used to be a Muncie....so I cut the damn thing, used 2' angle on the ends, and through bolt it with a 1/2 inch bolt going fore/aft grip nut on it....not going anywhere....it's kinda fugly under there, but it don't show much and so it stays....it works....

rather get the exhaust welded than pull the engine....

craftomatic

· #5 · Jun 7, 2007

Classicchevy5speed.com or Keisler.com both are very close to one another, yet it's still the same tranny too!!

Duke94

· #6 · Jun 7, 2007

I have the Keisler and am happy with the kit and their Tech support. Works great too.

lsejlowe

· #7 · Jun 8, 2007

Duke94 said:
I have the Keisler and am happy with the kit and their Tech support. Works great too.

how strong are they? What max HP or TQ do they recommend? Is the 6-spd weaker?

Strider

· #8 · Jun 8, 2007

I would highly recommend making the crossmember removable. Seems that you pull the tranny for one reason or another over time and the removable crossmember really makes life alot easier. I have helped others do the removable crossember, I myself started with the automatice but for others make it removeable and save yourself grief.
I perssonally like the mustang T5 conversion. Both cheap and it is a good tranny

bertmeister

· #9 · Jun 8, 2007

I have the Keisler package and am happy with it. Great tech support and customer service.

:thumbsup:

Eddie 70

· #10 · Jun 8, 2007

I have had the Kiesler TKO tranny in my vette for about 4 or 5 years now. Works like a champ. One of my favorite mods that I have done to the car as far as drive ability.

Turbo84

· #11 · Jun 8, 2007

Strider said:
I would highly recommend making the crossmember removable. Seems that you pull the tranny for one reason or another over time and the removable crossmember really makes life alot easier. ........

:agree:

I've got a Doug Nash 5spd in my '69. It's a nightmare when I have to pull the tranny. I haven't been able to talk myself into cutting any of the original frame, so I end up pulling the engine out, as I can't get the trans out without doing that, or lifting the body (which I did for the initial installation). After a few times doing that I reached the end of my sense of humor on that whole process. I bought a used '69 auto frame a couple years back, and while contemplating all the work ahead to move the engine and body over to the new frame, I got to thinking that this would be a good opportunity to use up some of the C4 suspension parts I had laying around. Once finished, it's going to be nice to be able to beat the car again without having to worry about transmission R&R issues.

CorvDave01

· #12 · Jun 8, 2007

You definitely need a bolt in crossmember, it makes life SOOO much easier. I modified my own on my TKO install, just bought the tranny and fabbed up the rest, saved probably $1,000 over the cost of a kit.

Longtimer

· #13 · Feb 23, 2008

Strider said:
I would highly recommend making the crossmember removable. Seems that you pull the tranny for one reason or another over time and the removable crossmember really makes life alot easier. I have helped others do the removable crossember, I myself started with the automatic but for others make it removeable and save yourself grief.
I perssonally like the mustang T5 conversion. Both cheap and it is a good tranny

Great informative thread...

The mustang T5 are everywhere and pretty reasonbly priced. Found a TKO500 with 26 spines too. I have a GM crate Vortech 330 HP engine with the stock 4spd 70 Munsie. Would I need a need a new bell housing ? Will it be hard to find??

vette427-sbc

· #14 · Feb 23, 2008

lsejlowe said:
how strong are they? What max HP or TQ do they recommend? Is the 6-spd weaker?

TKO 500 is good to 550 hp
TKO 600 is good to 650 hp

Longtimer said:
Great informative thread...

The mustang T5 are everywhere and pretty reasonbly priced. Found a TKO500 with 26 spines too. I have a GM crate Vortech 330 HP engine with the stock 4spd 70 Munsie. Would I need a need a new bell housing ? Will it be hard to find??

the keisler tremecs transmissions will fit in a muncie bellhousing. but i think lakewood has a bellhousing for ford tremecs to a sbc

vfpreacher111

· #15 · Feb 23, 2008

After talking to a few of my hot rod buddies, I went with a Richmond Gear 6 speed. They were real easy to work with and answered every question in detail the 4 or 5 times I called them. I pulled the tran apart to have it powder coated, then got nervous about putting it back together. I called Richmond (yet again) and they said "pay for freight both ways and we will reassemble it at NO CHARGE" !! There's a real good shot of it in "my corvette photo's"

http://www.richmondgear.com/

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big_G

· #16 · Feb 23, 2008

I like the Richmond 5-speed. I have 3.08 gears. Would be fine with a 2.87 or similar final gear also.

brandywine

· #17 · Feb 23, 2008

I've got the Keisler TKO-500 5spd in mine... converted from the stock Borg Warner Super T-10 4spd. I love it. Very easy conversion with no cutting or fabrication needed. I kept the stock 3.07 rear gear and I find there is a lot more available in 1st and I haven't found top end yet in 5th!

BlackRat

· #18 · Feb 24, 2008

I actually tried several weeks ago to get a Group Purchase together on CF with Keisler. The deal they came back with was not nearly what I or others had hoped for. It essentialy was between 1-3% off. I am not knocking them for this as I may still purchase from them eventually but I was definately disappointed in there lack of willingness to come up with a better deal when so many people were interested in buying a kit.

Anyway, I contacted ClassicChevy5speeds which have essentially the same product and Scott in there sales staff presented the following offer good till February 28th.

5% off for 1-3 orders
10% off for >3 orders

Sense the GP was to the other forum I would suggest that you contact Scott directly but I am sure he wouldn't turn down sales for this GP based on different forum membership.

As a disclaimer I want to say again that I am not endorsing or knocking either company. I was disappointed in Keisler but it is their buisness and their right to pricing.

Unfortunately for me. Now that I have a bad engine block and the motor is out I wont be able to participate in the GP but if any of you guys can benefit go for it!

Wade

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tchism405

· #19 · Feb 27, 2008

TKO 5 Speed

The mustang T5 are everywhere and pretty reasonbly priced. Found a TKO500 with 26 spines too.

Has someone done the install with the mustang T5 I guess with the lakewood bell housing that will connect to a BBC with an offset gear shift conversion so that you do not have to cut the trans tunnel on the car. Not crazy about hacking up a classic but like the modern 5 speed in place of the Muncie.

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