My buddy has a TKO-600 behind his 540 making over 700 HP and it works like a charm.

 

And, You haven't broken anything yet???

What upgrades are you doing to the rear?? I would be afraid of running that much HP with a stick. The autos would seem to be alot easier on the shifts..

 

PM sent....


Richard

 

I purchased the 4-speed manual to 5-speed TKO600 conversion kit and installed it. I converted the crossmember to a removable one, makes installs and drops MUCH easier. I did have one problem though, I have a Lakewood scattershield and Lakewood clutch fork, because the scatter & fork are bigger than stock I couldn't get full travel on the clutch pedal. The fork was hitting the floor board at about 3/4 travel. Just figured I'd throw this out there...

 

I like my Keisler TKO500 so much, I am considering a 2nd one.
Completely changed the car's character.

 

There are Two places here on the forum that offer the TKO kits.

One is Keisler and the other is ClassicChevy5Speed. Look over both of them and do a search both here on the forum and google and I am sure you will find a bunch of info to help you decide on which way to go.

 

Don't use the Lakewood fork as everyone that has tried one said it doesn't fit. Use the stock fork even with the Lakewood bellhousing.


bill

 

The cost of installing the 5 speed for $1800-$1900 is all relivent. Most of us have spent halt that on an exaust system

I'd say if you have a 4 spped and want the econo drivability with performance; GO For IT

 

1800-1900 where's that? They start at $3195.00

 

It's all relevent to what a person wants the car to be and what they are willing to put into it. Not sure what the quotes get you; my only point was it dempends how some look at it. The most appreasiated cars that we have all seen on this forum are not cheep.

 

Good to know I have the #1500 Lakewood , thanks for the heads up

 

I got a quote from The Driver Man who sells the whole kit. It starts at $3295, but by the time all the goodies are piled on (driveshaft, clutch assembly, shifter, pedals, etc.), you've at $4748.

My question, is I see a bunch of different options for it.

Example:
Bellhousing Aluminum/Titanium: $209
Bellhousing Steel SFI: $

Flywheel Billet Steel SFI Rated: $229
Flywheel Aluminum SFI Rated: $

I'm guessing the second options are lower quality. Is it really necessary to have an Aluminum/Titanium bellhousing and a billet steel flywheel for a daily driver that'll see the dragstrip twice a year?

What is SFI?

Do you think the second options are cheaper?

 

As I said above do a search and you will find a bunch of info.

 

While I cannot speak to the pricing from The Driven Man, if your car is already a 4 speed, you can get away with the $3200+- price. By the way, the driveshaft is included. When you start adding on options, of course the price is going to go up. Like I said, if the car is already a 4 speed, your current bellhousing will work. Technically, all you have to change is the clutch disc as most Muncies use a 10 spline disc, the TKO is 26 splines.
The bellhousing's we sell are exact replicas of the GM 621. We do use a aluminum/titanium mix in the flange to make it stronger. This does not mean it is SFI approved. It just means the mounting flange to the engine is stronger than a stock 621. I think you'll find the price is pretty reasonable for a new bellhousing since you cannot buy a NEW 621 anymore.?.
Our flywheels are billet steel and usually weigh in around 30# vs the cast ones that come in around the 40# mark. The aluminum versions are well into the $350 range and weigh in around the 15# mark. It is has nothing to do with lower quality. In fact, we don't typically recommend aluminum flywheels for street driven cars as they don't hold the inertia when shifting. You tend to drop rpms drastically between shifts. Our flywheels, either billet or aluminum, are all SFI approved but that doesn't mean much without a scattershield to contain them in case of a clutch/flywheel mishap.

Like I said, I cannot speak to pricing, I can only try to clear up some of the misinformation floating around this thread. The automatic equipped vettes are going to cost more to convert as you need a bellhousing, flywheel, clutch kit, pedals, linkage etc.... It is MUCH cheaper if you are converting from 4 speed to 5 speed. Like I said, technically all you have to change is the clutch disc. This is assuming the pressure plate is in good condition already(and the flywheel can be turned). If you prefer to go with new pieces, then of course the price is going to be higher.
I hope this clears up some if the misinformation and if you need more answers, feel free to contact me.


Richard
Tech Support
Keisler Engineering

 

Thats basicly the cost of the tranny alone as mentioned earlier in the thread. The kit clearly takes all the engineering out of the conversion though you could just buy the transmission and do it all yourself, provided you dont count your time as money.

I did my conversion just before the kits hit the market and the trannys were a tad cheaper then. I did my whole install for just over $2k...and like everyone else here, it is an astounding improvement to the car - clearly the best thing Ive done to the car.

I made out because my close ratio BW was a 26 spline clutch to begin with so i could reuse my existing clutch, shortening the driveshaft was $100 at the local driveline shop. I got a slip yoke for $35 as opposed to the multiple hundreds of dollars billet ones you normally end up with.

I modified my crossmember to be removable - some welding cost $35..

A special tranny mount (bolt in from BTO) was about $90..

anyway the costs as you can see are reasonable. But its not nearly as cool as a kit with all the thinking done for you.

Take a look

 

I put in a Keisler 5-speed a few years ago and love it. I've got tons of torque, so if I want, I can putter around and get great gas mileage too...

 

[QUOTE=FRSTR90;1562830793]And, You haven't broken anything yet???

Pedalled the car real easy this past season, since the rear was original.

Just starting a total Van Steel coil over conversion with 12 bolt 3.77 rear and HD everything - next year we will be trying to break something.

 

Still waiting on my quote for a price

Got my wheels today, would like to get a transmission too

 

I have sent you a PM last week requesting your name and information. Your profile here does not give any information and the sales staff does not recognise your screen name here. please contact me or respond to my PM with your info and I will get the quote to you. I cannot do anything without knowing who you are?


Richard

 

I sent a quote to your email on the 11/20. We are a business so some times it goes to your email spam box.

Call me and I will go over it with you

865.609.8187. ext 211
gene