5 or 6 speed?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 608
Likes: 64
From: Lake Villa,IL
5 or 6 speed?
Hello, I'm real close to pulling the trigger on a Tremec trans for my 71 vert. I wanted some opinions on a manual trans. Do you think the 6 speed trans is overkill? Would a 5 speed be fine? This would be for a relatively stock 350 that would be used for driving around some side streets, some highway. Is the 6 speed way harder to install, (needing modifications) than the 5 speed? Having said that, I'm not afraid of modifications or hard work. There's no real need for it, other than I want to do it, I'm not racing, or putting 500-600 HP into it, I just think the benefits of an easier running engine and a more pleasant ride are worth it. I just want to know which one you guys lean toward. Thanks, I hope you all had a good Christmas and have a great 2019.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 103
From: Brisbane Queensland
Just recently installed a tko600 with 0.64 od gear. The hardest part of the install was fabricating a sealing boot as mine didn't have the offset gearshift assembly.
Dropped 700rpm at highway speeds and can actually have a conversation with my partner now when driving on the highway. Don't understand why you need 6 speeds.
Dropped 700rpm at highway speeds and can actually have a conversation with my partner now when driving on the highway. Don't understand why you need 6 speeds.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,795
Likes: 434
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Hi,
I don't know how you drive.
But for me, that like a good street car from 0-60, and a nice drive on the highway, then my 3.70 and 0.63 in 5th is good.
I would never need more gears.
The setup I have, is perfect for me. (maybe a 4.11 rear gears would be nice, but not when I have 3.70 in the car, it is not worth the money, for me :-)
Thx,
John
I don't know how you drive.
But for me, that like a good street car from 0-60, and a nice drive on the highway, then my 3.70 and 0.63 in 5th is good.
I would never need more gears.
The setup I have, is perfect for me. (maybe a 4.11 rear gears would be nice, but not when I have 3.70 in the car, it is not worth the money, for me :-)
Thx,
John
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have done a bunch of both 5 and 6/speeds. The 5 speed install is way easier and virtually no modifications. For just casual driving you will use the 4 speeds around town then shift into 5th around 50 mph or above. There is a drop from 4 to 5th gear that you don’t get with the 6 speed but the 5 speed is plenty.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,795
Likes: 434
From: Aarhus, Denmark
I have done a bunch of both 5 and 6/speeds. The 5 speed install is way easier and virtually no modifications. For just casual driving you will use the 4 speeds around town then shift into 5th around 50 mph or above. There is a drop from 4 to 5th gear that you don’t get with the 6 speed but the 5 speed is plenty.
Also, if you have less then 3.70 rear gears, then it would make you 6th gear useless (if it was me :- )
For me, the perfect setup would be 4.11rear, and 0.63 in 5th.
Then you would have a good 0-60treet car, and a nice cruise on the highway.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 669
Likes: 80
From: NE USA
I have done a bunch of both 5 and 6/speeds. The 5 speed install is way easier and virtually no modifications. For just casual driving you will use the 4 speeds around town then shift into 5th around 50 mph or above. There is a drop from 4 to 5th gear that you don’t get with the 6 speed but the 5 speed is plenty.
I have the TKO 500 installed with 3:55 rear gear. It's a nice combo. I looked at the 6sp, unless you have fuel injection the additional drop in revs puts a carburetor fed engine in too low of rpm for highway speeds. Throttle response would be poor at best.
With my set up, 383, comp 276HR, 650 cm carb, I need to be running at least 70 to make good use of 5th. I think if I had a 6th gear, I would only use it to show a passanger it was indeed a 6sp.
The car has long legs, no need for the 6th gear.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
I had a 2004 GTO a few years back with the 6-Speed and never used 5th. Just went from 4th to 6th.
A 6-Speed is a bit overkill in a car that has reasonable HP and TQ IMO.
I installed an SS700 (5-Speed) in my 69 and couldn’t be happier.
A 6-Speed is a bit overkill in a car that has reasonable HP and TQ IMO.
I installed an SS700 (5-Speed) in my 69 and couldn’t be happier.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Another vote for the 5, easier on all levels, Cant use 6th even with 4.10s unless Im going 80+ it just lugs the engine. I mean it will pull it at 65-70 but sure isnt good for it.
EFI/small cam, with good low end tq different story.
EFI/small cam, with good low end tq different story.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,741
Likes: 1,383
I have a Richmond 6-speed with 0.62 OD and 4.11's. It works just great all around but I really did not need those 5 close ratios in 1st through 5th. I've had it for years and it's been quite wonderful (other than noisy at idle). If I was looking now I would just look for the best bargain that would give me about the same O.D. with my 4.11's.... but, for real, it is quite pleasant on the freeway.
In other words..... I'd just get the 5 speed.
In other words..... I'd just get the 5 speed.
Last edited by carriljc; Dec 28, 2018 at 12:06 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
Hello, I'm real close to pulling the trigger on a Tremec trans for my 71 vert. I wanted some opinions on a manual trans. Do you think the 6 speed trans is overkill? Would a 5 speed be fine? This would be for a relatively stock 350 that would be used for driving around some side streets, some highway. Is the 6 speed way harder to install, (needing modifications) than the 5 speed? Having said that, I'm not afraid of modifications or hard work. There's no real need for it, other than I want to do it, I'm not racing, or putting 500-600 HP into it, I just think the benefits of an easier running engine and a more pleasant ride are worth it. I just want to know which one you guys lean toward. Thanks, I hope you all had a good Christmas and have a great 2019.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
Last edited by cagotzmann; Dec 27, 2018 at 04:58 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 675
From: FL
I think it's easiest for a 5 speed if money is a consideration. If money isn't in the picture 6 speed is the best way to go. All modern cars have 6 or more gears. As for the ease of 6 vs 5 speed I don't think there is a difference with complete kits now available. When I converted my 78 from a auto to a manual 6 speed I didn't find anything a show stopper. This is what I did and before kits from SST etc where available.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
I have 3.73 gears and went with the T-56 close ratio. Perfect split of gears for me and all the gears are useable. I had a Tremec 5 speed before with 0.62 OD and the drop from 4th to 5th was very annoying.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
BTW the Cobra is running a 5 speed and it works well for that car. Of course that car is basically a race car that is street legal and is jus at different animal from the Vette. It all depends on what you want.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,214
Likes: 1,671
From: Long Island
Get the Silver Sport 5 speed TKO600 kit, you get all the parts and an easy install, plus a new drive shaft.
I put one in my 71 with 3:55's and love it... my 85 has a 6 speed - Richmond - the extra gear is a waste on the street.
I put one in my 71 with 3:55's and love it... my 85 has a 6 speed - Richmond - the extra gear is a waste on the street.
Last edited by BLUE1972; Dec 27, 2018 at 09:27 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Easy install. 4 to 5 speed about 12 hour install. Auto to 5 speed about 20 because of the pedal install.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 608
Likes: 64
From: Lake Villa,IL
Thanks for all the replies. I'm thinking I'll listen to you guys and get a 5 speed. I have to look up what rear end my car has. That will help determine close ratio or wide, but I'm leaning toward wide. What do you guys think of a hydraulic clutch? Silver sport has a kit that looks like it's nice.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Last edited by Gordonm; Dec 28, 2018 at 09:33 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 123
From: CA.
Trans
I just bought a 71 big block that had a frame off about 6 years ago and it has a tremec 5 speed. I had a 2 hour drive home when I bought it and cruised about 65 all the way home. I forget what it was tacking but it was low. Around town it’s also a great trans. I have receipt for trans and it was 3700 dollars.
Last edited by nutsy; Dec 28, 2018 at 08:58 AM. Reason: Word
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,849
Likes: 367
From: PHOENIX AZ. WHAT A MAN WON"T SPEND TO GIVE HIS ASS A RIDE
For me I don't even use all 4 gears most of the time. First third fourth. How many gears do you guys need for normal driving for Gods sake? Soon some will be going to 2 speed axils like trucks so you can shift 12 times.