4 speed options for 1977?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 0
From: Ellicott City MD
I have one of the few 1980's that came stock with a BW Super T-10 4spd. I no longer have the 4spd. It now does business in a 67 Chevelle SS. But... I do have a Keisler TKO-500 5 spd. Anyone considering a change from an auto or a 4spd manual should really give them a close look. I can't say enough good things about the tranny. Install was (almost) plug and play. If you want to stomp on it in the lower gears, it's very impressive. When you are out on the highway cruising in 5th gear...the gas gauge doesn't move near as fast anymore. I'm having fun. My .02.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
I have one of the few 1980's that came stock with a BW Super T-10 4spd. I no longer have the 4spd. It now does business in a 67 Chevelle SS. But... I do have a Keisler TKO-500 5 spd. Anyone considering a change from an auto or a 4spd manual should really give them a close look. I can't say enough good things about the tranny. Install was (almost) plug and play. If you want to stomp on it in the lower gears, it's very impressive. When you are out on the highway cruising in 5th gear...the gas gauge doesn't move near as fast anymore. I'm having fun. My .02.
Thanks.
David
77Sleeper
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 0
From: Ellicott City MD
Nope... I've had different rear end ratios with the BW over the years, but with the Keisler's 3.27:1 1st gear, you can run the 3.08 rear and still act like you've got a 3.73 or 4.10 rear. (I have a 3.08 diff in now). You're gonna love it!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Keisler 5 speed in mine. Bolts right in. 
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 296
Likes: 4
From: London Ontario
The price of a 6 speed is more than a 4 speed but you can find a good used T56 for 1200, or you could do like me and find a wrecked camaro and part it out. I think it cost me under $500 to switch transmissions (I had a 4 speed originally). The only thing that really cost me anything was the flywheel, which was pretty expensive. If your set on a 4-speed I would go with the ST-10. Its probably plenty strong for what you need, and I've been told that the ST-10s are a smoother more sophisticated tranny. (I've never driven a muncie so i wouldnt no for sure). For the price of a muncie you could easily find a used t56 if you look around.
Last edited by curtis75; Mar 19, 2009 at 10:05 AM.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Monroe NJ
This turned out to be a great thread, and a wealth of information. Thanks to all who replied.
Coming up soon is the spring Englishtown swap meet; if there is any event in which to find the conversion parts, this will be it. I hope to do plenty of research and give all of this information some consideration before it comes along. I've set a goal of finding all of the parts (or, deciding on a complete 5 speed drop in kit) during this summers driving season, and doing the actual swap as a winter project. Cant wait!
Tj
Coming up soon is the spring Englishtown swap meet; if there is any event in which to find the conversion parts, this will be it. I hope to do plenty of research and give all of this information some consideration before it comes along. I've set a goal of finding all of the parts (or, deciding on a complete 5 speed drop in kit) during this summers driving season, and doing the actual swap as a winter project. Cant wait!
Tj
