Anyone install an odd manual trans?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 256
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From: Norfolk VA
Anyone install an odd manual trans?
I keep hearing about the 4 speed and the keisler kits. They do seem nice, but what about other transmissions? I read about one guy with a Richmond 6 speed (which doesn't seem too uncommon). I would like to see a writeup on that swap though... Anyway, what about a newer vette 6 speed swap or another odd swap that worked out well? What have ya got?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
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From: North Easton Mass
BerniesVette has a Tremec T5 in his Vette. You can also put a T56 6-speed in. The newer transmissions don't fit the mounts on the C3 frame so some fabrication is required, plus you need various other parts to mate up to the engine. Keisler has all-inclusive kits for 5 and 6 speed Tremecs if you want something that will drop right in (how boring!)
Rick B.
Rick B.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
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From: Knoxville Tennessee
Yes, I installed a Mustang T5 five speed in my '79. It was the best thing I have done to it. It has more usable power, faster acceleration and gas mileage improved over 30 per cent. And the "fun to drive" factor went up 100%. It cost less that $1,500 and was a relatively easy job.
Bernie
Bernie
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 299
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From: San Antonio TX
I am trying to keep my '71 stock since it basically is, but I bought a T5 from a Camero to put in my wife's '61 - which is not stock, so it will be our build car and driver. The T5 is suppose to be out a '91 with a 350, so it shouldn't give me too much trouble mounting to the 327 in the '61.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
Yes, I installed a Mustang T5 five speed in my '79. It was the best thing I have done to it. It has more usable power, faster acceleration and gas mileage improved over 30 per cent. And the "fun to drive" factor went up 100%. It cost less that $1,500 and was a relatively easy job.
Bernie
Bernie
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 256
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From: Norfolk VA
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
A stock C3 performs much better with an OD tranny in it!
Bernie
Bernie
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Diego CA
TT put a ZF 6 speed (6 speed used in C4) in his C3 and had to do some major modifications to make that SOB fit. However not much of TT's C3 isn't modified. 
I think the reason you only see transmissions like the Tremecs and Richmonds is because they're some of the toughest 5 or 6 speeds made and the easiest to fit.
I think the reason you only see transmissions like the Tremecs and Richmonds is because they're some of the toughest 5 or 6 speeds made and the easiest to fit.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 256
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From: Norfolk VA
I assume that the T-56 shifter sits further back as well... There's a guy near here with a t-56 out of a vette with 30,000 miles on it I can get pretty cheap. Humm, maybe I should wait it out... If I started the 6 speed conversion, it would be awhile before the vette's on the road (not only because of time, but all the money). Any thoughts? My vette needs a bit of work still, I'm just getting ready to drop in the new crate motor (possibly bolted to the stock TH350).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
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From: Knoxville Tennessee
The 5 speed I installed was a Mustang T5 I bought at a Mustang salvage yard for $500. The total conversion was less than $1,500 and it performs flawlessly. The T5 is a top loader so you would have to mod the shifter to make it work but the T5 isn't that long. It is 19.5 inches long from where it meets the bellhousing to the center of the shift location. If that is too long, you could fab a shifter that curves forward like some of the older muscle cars had. It is a worthwhile modification that transforms a C3 to a modern road car with lots of low end torque and plenty of top end. Mine is turning less than 3,000 rpm at 100 mph. And the gas mileage increased over 30% highway interstate driving. Another plus is, turning lower rpm allows the engine to run cooler. All positives and no down sides that I can find.
Bernie
Bernie
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Champlin Minnesota
Originally Posted by TexSon
I am trying to keep my '71 stock since it basically is, but I bought a T5 from a Camero to put in my wife's '61 - which is not stock, so it will be our build car and driver. The T5 is suppose to be out a '91 with a 350, so it shouldn't give me too much trouble mounting to the 327 in the '61.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by cduemig
How much power can a Mustang WC T-5 Handle? I'm looking on ebay and the "Race" WC t-5's are saying that they are rated to 350ftlbs and 400hp... seems quite low...
I ran more then twice that much power through mine for a full summer and pulled it at the end of the season with absolutely no damage.
I also run a 355 nitrous powered mustang with the stock 89 T 5 and it would wheel stand out of the hole with slicks and it is still the stock T5 and no damage BUT I never power shift, fast clean shifts yes not NO power shifting allowed.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
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From: Chino Hills CA
Originally Posted by davidm_comp
I know nothing about C2s, but the camaro t5 has a canted crossmember mount, meaning you will either have to get the bellhousing that camaros had, which has four mounting holes at an angle (this will also change the angle of the shifter), or stick with the stock bellhousing and fab up a crossmember mount (this is the way I am going when I install mine). Also, you should check if the T5 came out of a V8 and if it is a World Class version, non-wc T5 from camaros are much weaker.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
From: Amelia Ohio
What the hay, I'll chime in. I put a 92 camaro T5 in my 79 behind a fresh 383 build and it handles everything I've thrown at it so far. It is smooth as silk and just an absolute joy to drive on the highway.
Chris
Chris
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
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From: Knoxville Tennessee
Chris,
Norvel tells me you beat the crap out of that tranny all the time. And you use twice the gas he and Doug use to go to the shows! Drive it like you stole it! It is good to see you on the forum again!
Bernie
Norvel tells me you beat the crap out of that tranny all the time. And you use twice the gas he and Doug use to go to the shows! Drive it like you stole it! It is good to see you on the forum again!
Bernie
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
any body want to put in the 3 spd non syncro out of my 37 ford.....that would fit the bill of "any one install and odd manual trans" for sure