Classic Chevy 5Spd//Any Thoughts
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 540
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '09, '24
Classic Chevy 5Spd//Any Thoughts
Looking at the Classic Chevy 5 spd kit and was wondering has any member installed one in their car yet? Is the kit ready to install without much modification as they say? Which is a better kit Classic or Kiesler? I do have access to a Viper 6 spd. I have been told the Viper TKOs have stronger shift forks and gears then other TKO trannys. I can do the fabrication work to make the Viper tranny fit and I might go that route instead. Any input from other members are welcome, houstonvett 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
The Viper trans is a 6 speed and is in no way a TKO. The TKO is a 5 speed box. The Viper trans is quite big and the TKO from Keisler or Classic will bolt in. Mine is from Keisler and it fit in no problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,826
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
A TKO if modified correctly will fit into a vette with no car modification necessary.
As for the Viper being stronger than the TKO, I don't know about that. Tremec rates the Viper spec T56 at 500hp, 500ft/lb while the TKO-600 is rated at 600/600(this is taken straight from the Tremec brochure).
I cannot speak for CC5S but there are members here that have installed both kits with no issues. The important thing to remember is no matter who you decide to buy from, just putting a 5 speed in the vette will enhance your driving experience ten-fold.
If you go the Viper route, the shifter location will need to be modified as will the crossmember and floor tunnel.
Hope this helps.
Richard
Tech Support
As for the Viper being stronger than the TKO, I don't know about that. Tremec rates the Viper spec T56 at 500hp, 500ft/lb while the TKO-600 is rated at 600/600(this is taken straight from the Tremec brochure).
I cannot speak for CC5S but there are members here that have installed both kits with no issues. The important thing to remember is no matter who you decide to buy from, just putting a 5 speed in the vette will enhance your driving experience ten-fold.
If you go the Viper route, the shifter location will need to be modified as will the crossmember and floor tunnel.
Hope this helps.
Richard
Tech Support
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
I have the keisler 5 speed and love it. 80 MPH 2,000 RPM with a 3.55 rear eand. Easy install, if a 6 speed was available I would probably go that route, if it was a bolt in. I have seen both 5 and 6 side by side. The 6 speed will be alot of work to get in. I can tell you tech support from Keilser is excellent. I was at the Hot Rod Power Tour and saw the Keisler booth. My speedo was 10 MPH. Jason gave me a new speedo gear to put in. Were good to go. Now that is customer service, they had parts with them.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,826
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
I'm not sure I understand your question. If this was directed at my post, I am with Keisler. The numbers I posted are directly from the Tremec brochure. If you call and ask me the same question over the phone, I will give you the same answer.
Richard
Tech Support
Keisler Engineering
Richard
Tech Support
Keisler Engineering
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
I don't think you can go wrong with either one. I bought from Keisler and have no complaints... just don't believe that you can swap it on a weekend, that's not going to happen - I've had a few parts missing but Keisler took care of it and sent the parts asap..... you'll have to buy the bellhousing alignment dowels, you either check what you need first (what offset) and then order or you order all sizes they have and then return what you don't need....
Getting the pedals out and in is the biggest pain of the entire swap.
I've only driven the car about 20 miles since the engine/trans swap but I think the 5spd added more fun than the 383 that I installed
Getting the pedals out and in is the biggest pain of the entire swap.
I've only driven the car about 20 miles since the engine/trans swap but I think the 5spd added more fun than the 383 that I installed
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
The only thing that makes me consider CC5S over Keisler is the fact that they're located in Carlsbad and Keisler is in Tennessee. Carlsbad is about 20 minutes north of me, while Tennessee is... 5 hours by plane. 
Geographical advantage I suppose.
Either way they both seem to put out a good product.
Geographical advantage I suppose.Either way they both seem to put out a good product.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
I'm not sure I understand your question. If this was directed at my post, I am with Keisler. The numbers I posted are directly from the Tremec brochure. If you call and ask me the same question over the phone, I will give you the same answer.
Richard
Tech Support
Keisler Engineering
Richard
Tech Support
Keisler Engineering
http://www.thedrivenman.com/ke/ford/index.htm
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
The CC5S uses a different shifter made by McLeod. I have heard great things about this shifter but Keisler recently upgraded their shifter also. Probably can't go wrong with either one. With CC5S being local it is probably your best option.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 845
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
I have heard good about both but can only speak about Keisler as that was what I installed. I actually bought the Keisler TKO-600 kit over 2 years ago during the Corvette Forum group buy. Due to not having the time to install it, it sat on the work bench until a month ago when I decided to run the HotRod Power Tour. Keisler had made running changes to the kit in the 2 years it sat on the bench. Even though it was over 2 years old and was out of warrenty, Richard at Keisler supplied most of the upgrades free of charge! I think that says a lot about them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
Keisler is a great company. They endured a heck of a lot of criticism
about a year ago due to internal growing pains, but handled it with dignity and professionalism, and went out of their way to please new and previous customers. They would be an excellent choice, as well I'm sure as Classic Chevy.
I bought their TKO600 auto to manual conversion and I am extremely pleased with the box. My only regret is not opting for the .82 O/D ratio.
about a year ago due to internal growing pains, but handled it with dignity and professionalism, and went out of their way to please new and previous customers. They would be an excellent choice, as well I'm sure as Classic Chevy.
I bought their TKO600 auto to manual conversion and I am extremely pleased with the box. My only regret is not opting for the .82 O/D ratio.
Last edited by shafrs3; Jun 9, 2007 at 12:46 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,826
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
Sorry Rich, I failed to get the link I was refering to inserted. This web site says the TKO is dyno'd to 1400Lbs. Scroll down about midway...
http://www.thedrivenman.com/ke/ford/index.htm
http://www.thedrivenman.com/ke/ford/index.htm
I think that is considered a "short duration burst". I have never told anyone that this tranny is good for 1400 ft/lbs, I only go by what they advertise and that is 600hp and 600 ft/lbs continuous, not peak.Hope this helps to clarify things a bit.
Richard
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: knoxville tn
The only thing that makes me consider CC5S over Keisler is the fact that they're located in Carlsbad and Keisler is in Tennessee. Carlsbad is about 20 minutes north of me, while Tennessee is... 5 hours by plane. Geographical advantage I suppose.
Either way they both seem to put out a good product.
Geographical advantage I suppose.Either way they both seem to put out a good product.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Of course that might be a good thing...
You actually make a good point, though, 7.75% of $3000 is over $200. How much is shipping?
Of course I could always have it shipped to my dad in Tucson and have him bring it out next time he visits, too...Ahhhh stop putting ideas in to my head! I don't need an overdrive yet! I live 2 miles from work and 10 miles from the stadium!
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: knoxville tn
But if it breaks for some odd reason, I can't come to y'all and throw it through your window!
Of course that might be a good thing...
You actually make a good point, though, 7.75% of $3000 is over $200. How much is shipping? Of course I could always have it shipped to my dad in Tucson and have him bring it out next time he visits, too...
Ahhhh stop putting ideas in to my head! I don't need an overdrive yet! I live 2 miles from work and 10 miles from the stadium!
Of course that might be a good thing...
You actually make a good point, though, 7.75% of $3000 is over $200. How much is shipping?
Of course I could always have it shipped to my dad in Tucson and have him bring it out next time he visits, too...Ahhhh stop putting ideas in to my head! I don't need an overdrive yet! I live 2 miles from work and 10 miles from the stadium!
Thanks Gene
p.s. () represents subliminal messages