witch 5 speed
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
witch 5 speed
I have a 1969 350/350 . I am going to put a 5 speed in . The car will be for cruising and running down the highway . I am looking at the Keisler bord warner RS 500 or the TKO 600 . my rear end is a 3.55 . Any thought . 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,338
Likes: 786
From: Redondo Beach, California
I have the TKO 600 in my 350/395 ZZ4 68. Love the TKO 600. Nice short throw compared to the Muncie. Is rated at 650 foot pounds. This is more than we need for our engines. It's a little expensive at $3500, Good kit however. I have one in my 70 project car. I don't know anything about the RS500. Is it less expensive? With our engines, a 450 foot pound tranny would be fine. At least with the TKO if you ever go up in hp, it'll take the upgrade in power.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
While not my car, have a friend with a 79' L-82 4 speed 3.70 axle car, that put a Keisler TKO kit in it a few years ago. Car cruises at highway speeds much better now, and would do it again. He's a pretty average wrench, and had no problem installing it by himself, and seems all parts were included in the kit. He does have a Kwiklift though.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 193
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
I mounted it on the inside face of the box around the clutch and brake pedal pivots. I have a Hydroboost brake booster, so I don't have a big vacuum booster to get around.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
I swapped out the Muncie with the TKO600 .64od in June and it makes a tremendous difference in the car and the enjoyment I get out of it. 65 mph and 1850 rpms is very nice even with the side pipes. We normally take the C5 for all day rides as the 1:1 ratio of the old Muncie and the side pipes caused a lot of fatigue and a big drain on the wallet at the gas pump. Now the sound level is much lower and the car gets 17-19 mpg depending on where we go. I can live with that. I do have 3.55 rear gears and a 454 with a pretty big cam and Holley 750 DP.
Last edited by flyeri; Nov 30, 2012 at 10:53 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 127
Likes: 2
Repeat reply
this the reply I posted to CWener's thread raising the same question:
I thought about this for awhile while contemplating the conversion on my 70 big block automatic to a five speed and finally decided to go with the Keisler RS500. I asked for a quote on the TKO conversion and was in the process of placing the order when I decided to take a hard look at the RS. I called Jeff at Keisler. He did not hesitate in recommending the RS over the TKO. It's sitting on my garage floor awaiting the organ transplant. I think both are good transmission choices. I went with the RS because the TKO has a very notchy shift gate and shifting 2nd to 3rd is sometimes difficult. The RS is supposed to quieter. It was also a littler cheaper. I'm working on the swap and plan to do post a thread once I get some footage in the can. Working on the swap has been like my last over budget house remodel. "Since we have torn so deep into it, we might as well do X while we're in there."
I thought about this for awhile while contemplating the conversion on my 70 big block automatic to a five speed and finally decided to go with the Keisler RS500. I asked for a quote on the TKO conversion and was in the process of placing the order when I decided to take a hard look at the RS. I called Jeff at Keisler. He did not hesitate in recommending the RS over the TKO. It's sitting on my garage floor awaiting the organ transplant. I think both are good transmission choices. I went with the RS because the TKO has a very notchy shift gate and shifting 2nd to 3rd is sometimes difficult. The RS is supposed to quieter. It was also a littler cheaper. I'm working on the swap and plan to do post a thread once I get some footage in the can. Working on the swap has been like my last over budget house remodel. "Since we have torn so deep into it, we might as well do X while we're in there."