6T5RUSH

Hi Folks,

Been like many here who opted for a 5 speed trans with an overdrive...just haven't committed yet but am getting close. This new transmission that Keisler and Legend is making appears to be the same type of compact case that was offered in the RS series for ease of installation.

Click Here: http://www.keislerauto.com/ss700.html

Cost of this tranny has not been firmed up yet.

Although my present setup is using the factory wide ratio '65 Muncie that has a 2.56:1 1st gear coupled to a 3.73:1 posi. I do like the jump but cruising @ 65 or better is just a big buzz...she sure is spinnin' up there. I've read enough here about the ideal index of 10 or more (achieved by multiplying the 1st gear ratio to your rear axle ratio). Right now she's right at 9.55.

Being a wide ratio tranny my drops in gears as I go through them are:

1st (2.56) to 2nd (1.91) is 25.39%

2nd (1.91) to 3rd (1.48) is 22.51%

3rd (1.48) to 4th (1.00) is 32.43% (this is the down side of my factory wide ratio)

Now, looking at the SS700 Series, Keisler Wide Ratio reflects the following % drop between gears:

1st (2.97) to 2nd (2.07) is 30.30%

2nd (2.07) to 3rd (1.43) is 30.92%

3rd (1.43) to 4th (1.00) is 30.07%

4th (1.00) to 5th (.68) is 32.00%

Finally here is the SS700 Series with the Keisler Close Ratio reflecting the following % drop between gears:

1st (2.66) to 2nd (1.78) is 33.08%

2nd (1.78) to 3rd (1.30) is 26.97%

3rd (1.30) to 4th (1.00) is 23.08%

4th (1.00) to 5th (.68) is 32.00%

I lean towards having that 2.66 ratio in 1st gear on the Close Ratio SS700. The index I spoke of (1st gear x the posi) would be 9.92 vs the Wide Ratio SS700 (1st gear x the posi) of 11.07 (more of a stump puller...useless...as some of you commented with your TKO 600 1st gear experience.

Also my 3rd to 4th gear in my present setup (Muncie wide ratio) shows a 32.43% drop pretty much mirrors the 4th to 5th gear drop in either of the SS700 Series Close or Wide Ratio...32.00% drop.

Your thoughts as I'm leaning towards the close ratio box over the wide ratio box from Keisler.

Background on my motor:

327 bored .060 over

'70 LT1 cam, lifters and intake

1.5 ratio stamped steel rockers

'461 heads breathed on...flowing 248 I/188 E @ .050 with an exhaust pipe that exhaust # jumps to 202.

Compression is right at 11:1...I run pump gas using 93 octane with no ping.

Ignition is an MSD6AL box along with a 1st generation Pertronix Lobe Sensor (knock on wood...no issues with either and has been in place 6 years). Those that do have this 1st generation type lobe sensor know that you turn the key on to run, buckle up, then start it...she starts right away.

Here's a link to a dyno run last year where the tech had to get out of it at 5,500 r's and she still registered 296 RWH and 307 ft. lbs of torque. Oh yeh, the air conditioning was off, LOL! Enjoy!

http://s1083.photobucket.com/albums/...96-2NDPASS.mp4

Back to my leanings on ratios, what say you?

Thanks in advance for your insight!

Regards,

Jim
In God We Trust!

Frankie the Fink

Is it me or does coming up with still another new transmission when you can't meet the backlog for the last, newest offering make no sense ?

69ttop502

Boy did you hit the nail on the head Frank. Take a deposit of 1500 for 10 months to, as they say, "to keep it real" and then say oh, by the way, you are not going to get that transmission, you are going to get another one. I try to stay positive, but having been on this and other forums for a long time, nothing this company does surprises me anymore. I hope it is a good transmission although I would rather wait until it is proven. I would also have trouble ever doing business with this company.

Bill

wmf62

the LT1 cam has little low end torque, so don't count out the wide ratio as it will have better driveability manners
Bill

6T5RUSH

Frankie and 69TTop. Understand that...we'll see how this all plays out. wmf62, appreciate that insight. Think that 3rd to 4th drop in ratio on the close ratio trans is the big bonus. Thanks guys!

Jim
In God We Trust!

Tom Austin

I got tired of waiting years ago . . . and decided to follow the lead of several others on the Forum . . . my T5 World Class 5 speed conversion will be finished in @ 10 days! . . . all for $1100.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...n-my-66-a.html

vettsplit 63

Jim,

Staying on topic and not getting into all the lead time- and other isssues that have been kicked in the head ad infinitum, I am personally leaning towards the 2.66 close ratio box. My motor is real close to what yours is, only I'm currently geared 4.56 in the back. I have always liked the really responsive starts when you decide that is what you want to do. But, that's just me.

midyearvette

6t5rush
that is a good comparison chart
i would be happy with the close with your set up if i were you.....jmo....good luck

6T5RUSH

Tom Austin, I DO like your small cash expenditure. I wrestled with going in that direction but just felt should I swap to a bigger motor that T5 would need to be beefed up and; therefore, I'd be spending a lot more on it to do so.

vettsplit63 and midyearvette, thanks for reinforcing my ratio direction. Think as long as I have that 3.73, I'll enjoy that jump in 1st gear and still be able to get more than just across an intersection

Jim
In God We Trust!

Frankie the Fink

The lead time is absolutely on topic....the OP asked about our insights...the ratios hardly matter if you can't get the transmission...however my point was made so I'll drop it (and I have a Keisler Tremec TKO 600 so I'm not bashing them just being realistic).

Godholio

Make sure you get the right instructions. My RS came with some pretty generic stuff that was grossly inadequate. That said, Jeff was helpful from start to finish and got me the backordered parts as soon as possible and got me the right instructions literally minutes after I asked if I had the right ones.

Naturally I'm stuck halfway through the install because life decided to interfere with my free time...

kiwigt

A bit O/T but my other car is a 66 Mustang with 480fwhp / 460ft lb torque and I have had a standard T5z behind it for about seven very hard years. I've never had an ounce of trouble, as long as it wheelspins and doesn't bite, its fine. The T5z is great for small trans tunnels

65-StingRay

Jim,

I like your thinking on the gearset for your rear end ratio. I'm thinking about the same trans as you are but my rear end ratio is 3.36 So by using their other gearset with the 2.97 (1st gear ratio) X 3.36 will give me a product of 9.77.

I like the 700 ft/tq available and I like their gearset numbers so for me it works. I was going to buy the RS-600 but the SS-700 fits the bill better for me.

I hope Keisler can somehow catch up a little on their backorders. I will wait until they have a few new trannies flowing out of their facility before I order. I'm going to guess they probably won't be shipping very many of the SS trannys until next year. I do hope it will be quicker.

65-StingRay
Wayne

6T5RUSH

Godholio,

Yeh, that would help to get the right instructions with your tranny, LOL! Glad to hear Jeff at Keisler was quick to support your concerns with timely responses.

Kiwigt,

That's good to hear your T5 with your big motor has held up. You've obviously got a bang for the buck on this. I'm just trying to take "off the table" all issues related to durability and strength. This 700 ft. lbs. of torque built into the trans with all new components as well as case does sound like an ideal package.

65-StingRay,

Yup, here's hoping Keisler's connection with Legend improves the order process to shipping this new product. Everything I've read says Keisler stands behind their product for install issues or shifting issues.

Jim
In God We Trust!

65tripleblack

I don't believe that they've been taking new orders for the RS600 for awhile now. Any back ordrered RS600's will be shipped as SS700's from what I understand.

66 Vette

I would appreciate that someone from Keisler respond to this statement since I have a RS600 on order and would appreciate knowing in advance what transmission I will receive. I believe the SS700 would be an improvement over the RS600 especially the easier installation.

66BlkBB

From this it appears that the RS600 will get the same case but the other components will be the same as the old RS600.

http://www.keislerauto.com/ss700.html

66 Vette

The difference from the pictures on the Keisler site is the mounting flange on the RS limits the insertion of the mounting screws to the bell housing; you have to insert the screws while the transmission is not fully seated against the bell housing while the 700 has no restrictions or flange that interferes.

KeislerSales

If that was truly the case you would be correct.

The SS/LGT will be the final product of a program that was launched back in 2007 and is coming online quicker than planned due to the lengthy delivery of RS600 components.

We haven't been taking orders on the RS600 for quite some time and we realize that a lot of you have been hanging on the branch for a long time. It sucks and we're working hard turn this around and move forward.

The SS/LGT trans will be similar in appearance to the RS but will have a new main case eliminating the front adapter plate and be a bit more compact. It will also have a larger center to center distance on the gearset (similar to T56) for more torque capacity and a closer ratio spread. The 2.66 1.78 1.30 1.00 .68 close ratio model will debut first.

Shafi has been tasked with calling all waiting RS600 customers personally for updates on lead times and delivery. If you haven't heard from him yet I urge you to call him directly at 865-609-8187 ext. 203 or email shafi.keisler@keislerauto.com about your order. If you don't get an immediate reply PLEASE be patient (as you already have been) since he is very busy. You WILL get a call back.

OldKarz