Automatic to Manual Tranny Conversion
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Bossier City Louisiana
Automatic to Manual Tranny Conversion
Anyone had experience converting an automatic C3 to a manual transmission? Been browsing Keisler Engineering conversion kits but not sure if I want to spend the $$$$$ 
. Is there any good kits that are cheaper? Anyone whose made the conversion, was it worth it and would you do it agian?
Thanks for any feedback . . . rondo73
. Is there any good kits that are cheaper? Anyone whose made the conversion, was it worth it and would you do it agian? Thanks for any feedback . . . rondo73
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Search nonfunction would be more accurate.
Here you go: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1201254
Here you go: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1201254
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Diego CA
Keisler is probably the best bet. If you wanna do it right, they seem to be the ones to go to. Just save your nickles and go for it. I have to keep myself from visiting their site and drooling for 15 minutes over the 6-speed OD kit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
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From: Knoxville Tennessee
If you want a kit to do the swap then Keisler would be the way to go. If you want to do it yourself, then there are several things to consider. How much horsepower are you running, what type of driving do you do, what do you want to use your car for? I am getting ready to drop my TH350 auto out of my '79 this morning. I am installing a ford T5 mustang 5 speed in its place. My car is stock but will eventially be running in the 300 HP range and I use the car for cruising. This transmission will serve my purposes nicely and for about a $1,000.00 fits my budget too.
Others on the forum have used the chevy T56 6 speed which is a great choice but is a little more expensive.
So, I guess I'm saying there are choices to be made depending on what you want to do with your car and the dollars you want to spend.
There are detailed descriptions of every conseivable swap you could imagine. You just have to choose which is right for you and your budget. Good luck with your choice!
Bernie
Others on the forum have used the chevy T56 6 speed which is a great choice but is a little more expensive.
So, I guess I'm saying there are choices to be made depending on what you want to do with your car and the dollars you want to spend.
There are detailed descriptions of every conseivable swap you could imagine. You just have to choose which is right for you and your budget. Good luck with your choice!
Bernie
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
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Be carefull when you comp[are prices. The Keissler Kit is complete. Alot of people try to save some money and start cobbleing together a trans from 1 place - master and slave from another - bell housing, starter, clutch - and they end up with all sorts of fitment and compatability issues.
Also be carefull of the advise you get. There are some here who "know all about" the conversions - but have never done one!
You can pull up lots of info on the search - I don't know why so many say it doesn't work!
Carl "been there done that (Keisler TKO 500 Kit from auto to manual - 4100 bucks) 82 coupe" Johansson
Also be carefull of the advise you get. There are some here who "know all about" the conversions - but have never done one!
You can pull up lots of info on the search - I don't know why so many say it doesn't work!
Carl "been there done that (Keisler TKO 500 Kit from auto to manual - 4100 bucks) 82 coupe" Johansson
Racer
Joined: May 2005
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From: Amelia Ohio
Has anyone seen this site? www.g-forcetransmissions.com There upgrade for the T5 can get you upto 600 horses.
Chris
Chris
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
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From: Knoxville Tennessee
I thought about G-force and would probably either buy the parts to build my T5 if it ever gives me a problem or let them rebuild it. They really look like they use the good stuff. The T5 is an easy swap, but so is the Keisler. I saved $3,100.00 to spend on other things but with the Keisler you don't have to worry about finding the right parts, making an adapter. I enjoyed all the things I had to do to make the T5 work in my car and should be finished with the swap by the weekend. Again, do some research and pick the route that is best for you. Whatever transmission you choose, there is plenty of help on the forum to get you thru your swap.
Bernie
Bernie
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I've helped a friend with a couple of t-56's and a G-force conversion on a t-5 for a Mustang. In the case of the t-56's, they were brand new Tremecs, but we had to tear them down to replace the aluminum shifting forks with brass. The shifting fork is almost the first thing to put in and the last to come out of a t-56. In the case of the t-5, a guy brought in a t-5 from a Mustang and the G-force kit. We tore down the t-5 and installed the G-force kit. As far as I'm concerned, the G-force is a better product. There is just no comparison.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
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From: Knoxville Tennessee
I dropped my TH 350 auto today and am ready to install the T5 that I have made an adapter for. I have a chevy bellhousing with the bracket for the slave cylinder being a part of the bellhousing. I have a chevy flywheel, chevy pressure plate, ford clutch plate and a chevy pilot bushing reamed to accept the ford T5 input shaft. I have already test fit the bellhousing and tranny to a spare chevy 350 block to make sure it all fits the way it is supposed to. Yes, these are parts gathered from different places but they will achieve the same goal. Although I have pulled and replaced many transmissions, this is the first time I swapped from an auto to a manual and a ford going into a chevy, but it has been just as easy as anything I have ever worked on. The help and advice I received on the forum has made it a painless and rewarding project! It doesn't matter how much or little you spend as long as your goal is achieved, and for the way I drive my vette this will be all I need to enjoy the car more and cruise at a reasonable RPM. 2200 RPM at 70 will be much better than 3200. I hope Rondo finds the choice that is best for him, his driving habits and budget! 
Bernie
Bernie
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Bossier City Louisiana
Thanks for all the great and helpful info, guys. I think I will go for the Keisler setup if I can scrape together the $$$. Bernie's right about fitting it into the budget, but my biggest concern right now is convincing the wife. She OK'ed the new engine but I haven't sprung the new trans on her yet. Can anybody spell H-E-N P-E-C-K-E-D??
rondo73
rondo73
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Ontario
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
I dropped my TH 350 auto today and am ready to install the T5 that I have made an adapter for. I have a chevy bellhousing with the bracket for the slave cylinder being a part of the bellhousing. I have a chevy flywheel, chevy pressure plate, ford clutch plate and a chevy pilot bushing reamed to accept the ford T5 input shaft. I have already test fit the bellhousing and tranny to a spare chevy 350 block to make sure it all fits the way it is supposed to. Yes, these are parts gathered from different places but they will achieve the same goal. Although I have pulled and replaced many transmissions, this is the first time I swapped from an auto to a manual and a ford going into a chevy, but it has been just as easy as anything I have ever worked on. The help and advice I received on the forum has made it a painless and rewarding project! It doesn't matter how much or little you spend as long as your goal is achieved, and for the way I drive my vette this will be all I need to enjoy the car more and cruise at a reasonable RPM. 2200 RPM at 70 will be much better than 3200. I hope Rondo finds the choice that is best for him, his driving habits and budget!
Bernie
Bernie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
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From: Knoxville Tennessee
Carguy4sure,
I took this week off and have spent it under the car.After dropping the TH350 I noticed the rear main leaking so after I get the T5 installed I will replace the rear seal, the motor mounts, and do a lot of cleaning under the car. I will take pics and post them when complete. Thanks for your help with this conversion! Let us know when you get your engine swap completed.
Rondo,
The TKO 500 or 600 are both great choices and you get everything you need at one place. Keisler is located here in Knoxville and are good people and have a great product. Everyone here that have made the swap loves them. Seems like your budget is controlled the same way mine is---by the wife. But I surprise her from time to time and beg for forgiveness!
The vette for me is great therapy. When I'm emmersed in working on a project on the car all the work related stress goes out the window. For me, planning a project, laying it out and completing it is as much fun as driving the car afterwards; but I have to admit, I enjoy driving this old vette better than any other sports car I have owned.
Bernie
I took this week off and have spent it under the car.After dropping the TH350 I noticed the rear main leaking so after I get the T5 installed I will replace the rear seal, the motor mounts, and do a lot of cleaning under the car. I will take pics and post them when complete. Thanks for your help with this conversion! Let us know when you get your engine swap completed.
Rondo,
The TKO 500 or 600 are both great choices and you get everything you need at one place. Keisler is located here in Knoxville and are good people and have a great product. Everyone here that have made the swap loves them. Seems like your budget is controlled the same way mine is---by the wife. But I surprise her from time to time and beg for forgiveness!
The vette for me is great therapy. When I'm emmersed in working on a project on the car all the work related stress goes out the window. For me, planning a project, laying it out and completing it is as much fun as driving the car afterwards; but I have to admit, I enjoy driving this old vette better than any other sports car I have owned.
Bernie
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Lincolnton NC
I've seen on one of these threads that Auto Gear (a Muncie parts supplier) is offering to rebuild the four speeds w/ the fourth gear being an overdrive ratio....for about $800. It would basically be a 3 speed with overdrive. Just a thought...happy thanksgiving, jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
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From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
I did this on my 76. I went with the Richmond 5-spd (which is NOT an overdrive), but since I have 3.08 rear gears it works out well. No permanent modifications to the car are necessary except for 2 things: 1) have to cut the floor board for the shifter - I used the factory rubber boot as a template and to keep noise, smell, etc. out of the interior. 2) The tranny mount has to be modified (not the X-member), but Richmond gives you pretty good instructions on how to cut, weld, and grind it to make the installation work well. Other than that I installed a custom driveshaft, Hurst shifter, and all the factory clutch mechanism and pedal. Shifter fits right thru a stock manual console plate .... no one ever realizes that it was ever an auto 
.
.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 534
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From: Cookeville TN
Originally Posted by rondo73
... She OK'ed the new engine but I haven't sprung the new trans on her yet....rondo73
You gotta learn to use the word "drivetrain" instead of "engine" when getting the wife to buy the idea.
Another approach is convince her that the tranny is the "other half" of the engine
Robert at Keisler
423-773-9789
