Anyone know of any 5 or 6 speed conversions for the C3 that aren't the Keisler units?

I'm cheap and $4500 is almost half the purchase price of my car. Factor in the 383 and we're looking at paying for the car twice.
Granted, I like the simplicity of the Keisler install, but if I can save a buck and still get a good end result, I'm all for it.

 

Yep. Ford T5. It's a five speed manual conversion that's not too hard, and will only cost you about $1500 total from start to finish.

Do an advanced search on this subject, using T5 and Swap as search words and you'll get lots of threads.

Also, if have some info I have saved over with text, part numbers, drawings, and pictures. After you do the search, if you are interested, PM me your email address and I will email you a ZIP folder with lots of good information.

 

Cripes, I'm going to owe you more than just one brew after you're done coaching me. :-P

 

Is that a Tremec?

 

Yes, The T5 and T56 units are Tremecs.

 

The T5 is a Ford transmission not a Tremec It has been used behind countless Mustangs. The T56 is a Tremec. I would be a little leary of using a T5 behind a 383. If you are going to build some HP and drive it hard the T5 is not going to hold up to well. The World Class T5 isa little stronger but if you are going to the drags or launch it hard they have been known to scatter parts. The Tremec is also based on a Ford transmission but it is stronger tha n the T5s. Many here use it very successfully but just be aware of all the facts about strength.

 

Yeah, I ran a T5 (from tremec ) in my thirdgen F-Body and I'm aware that they can only handle about 400 ft/lb.

This car won't really be driven hard all that often, and when I do drive hard I rarely ever launch (1 in every 100 starts is a launch, if even that), but I do want something that will hold up for awhile.

Are there any differences between the early and late tunnels? I'm a little confused because i found a site where a guy converted to a Richmond 6sp and had to cut the tunnel.
I'd like to minimize cutting as much as is possible.

I was also looking at the classic chevy 5sp conversion, which is a little cheaper but still carries a pretty hefty price-tag.

If I run a T56, I'll likely have to find a suitably shortened driveshaft and do something about the shifter position to offset it enough for use in our consoles, and then there's the problem of installing all the fun stuff under the dash because it's an auto to manual swap.

 

There are more than a few guys here that have had a T5 behind big cube high HP motors, and so long as you're easy on it between 3rd and 4th it'll be just fine.

 

Lots of misinformation here....

The T5 and T56 were ORIGINALLY made by Borg Warner for the OEM. Ford, GM, Mopar and many others.

The TKO was made by a company who also makes transmissions for the OEM called TREMEC....mainly Ford.

TREMEC PURCHASED the BORG WARNER GEAR DIVISION. I saw the transition to Tremec branded parts ( all Warner logos removed) by 2003 2004. Although the sale went thru sometime in 1999 I believe.


So, now the T5, T56 AND TKO are ALL MADE BY TREMEC. They now even say TREMEC on the castings.

The problem is how the word Tremec is used. " I got a Tremec in my car" used to mean a person had a TKO.

 

All good point that I was about to make. The T5 is a decent transmission, as long as you don't plan to do a lot of dragracing. I used to a have a supercharged 91 Mustang LX 5.0 (made well over 500hp at the wheels) with a T5, and you will see some fast Mustangs running this transmission, but they are fairly weak. If you ever really hook up and have more than about 400hp, you will likely be sweeping up the pieces. Sure, there are 9 second Mustangs running this transmission, but they are either beefed up with lots of aftermarket parts or they keep lots of spares on hand. If you are planning on nothing more than street driving, with regular radials, it should be fine.

 

Hi
Bob J here. I'd lke to get in on the e-mail list for my 81 Vette with a 396 stuffed in. Thanks in advance for the T5 info. kimbrodama@yahoo.com

 

DB... I'd love that info if you wouldn't mind.

 

If you don't mind doing some Fab work yourself, the GM style TKO600 can be had for around $2000 from many vendors. You will have to cut your tunnel and the shifter handle will need to be spaced over but, if your Vette isn't a rare Vette go ahead and save the money as none of the "Direct fit" kits seem to directly install without issues.

 

The ZIP files are on their ways buys. Hope I helped a bit.

 

And there you have the real story. I get bits and pieces, I should leave it to the experts.

 

???

$4500?? Seems high even for Keisler or the others. I thought their kits were about $3200 max - unless you have someone else install it.

 

I currently have an automatic, driving the price for the 6sp up to $4500ish.
And I'll need someone else to install it, because the "ol' ball & chain" won't let me do it myself (she points out to my disassembled VW in the shed when I mention tinkering with the vette).

Anyone ever tried stuffing a ZF from a C4 under a C3?

 

I have a borg warner T5 in my TVR since '96...I've already change my diff twice and once my clutch, but this little trans is still there unchanged and untouched...and i'm not easy on the right pedal...

It only needs some feeling in the power gear changes, never be too streight, mine doesnt like second to third quick change, all others are like to cut butter with a knife.

good trans, on my opinion

 

TVR still sold the newer Tuscans and Cerbera's with T5's... is that what you have? The T5 used in those is a World Class T5 similar to the Ford Motorsport gearing except they run a .80 OD and have that 23 spline "English Ford" input. Nice transmission.

Paul

 

Just call me the dig up old threads man. It's what i do, it's what I'm good at.




Anyway, DB, can I get a ZIP of that info you have? Man, I already owe you for a bunch of stuff.......we should give you an award for helping novices, lol. Also, I have a quick question, mostly to do with practicality.

I am going to have the vortec head swap done, with a new cam, by the end of the summer. This, with full headers and 2.5 inch exhaust, SHOULD put me close to the 300whp range. Hopefully. My question is this. I have 3.08 gears, and after looking at some speed charts, 5th gear at 2,000rpms is going to put me at close to 90 mph, with the tires I am going to be running. Which pretty much makes 5th gear useless to me, expect on rare occasions. Here is a chart for the same 4 speed I have, but with 2.10 rear gears.

0 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
500 6.7 10.1 13.1 17.6
1000 13.3 20.1 26.3 35.2
1500 20.0 30.2 39.4 52.8
2000 26.7 40.2 52.5 70.4
2500 33.3 50.3 65.7 88.0
3000 40.0 60.3 78.8 105.6
3500 46.7 70.4 91.9 123.2
4000 53.3 80.4 105.1 140.8
4500 60.0 90.5 118.2 158.4
5000
redline 66.7 100.6 131.3 176.0