This is a new thread that developed from another recent one which is now about the conversion of a stock 1978 automatic transmission to a 5-speed manual.

The product is a Tremec 5-speed TKO 600 Elite Kit. This is when converting from automatic to manual vs. the Deluxe when converting old 4 speed manual to the 5 speed manual.

Two distributors were mentioned in this old thread; Classic Chevy 5-Speed and Hurst Driveline Conversions. Both have this product as well as what looks to be good customer service and maybe the best pricing for this kit??

Gordonm, ...Roger..., & sstocker31 seem to have experience with this conversion and I really want to find out more about it and this is where the old thread kind of stops and I have brought it up here.

Old thread that segways to starting this thread; http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...re-to-buy.html

I want to put the 600 5-speed in my 1978 possibly. It has the all stock motor and transmission. A new motor or building mine a bit may happen next summer but I would like to do the transmission this year. Much better for many reasons, including the fun factor for sure!

I'll leave it general here but some questions for you guys to consider for me please:

Is this a top notch product and good dollar value for this kind of an upgrade?

Is there another product considered to be any easier or higher quality to deal with? This looks like very few parts to deal with. Only a little crossmember work to make some more work room available now and removable for later too as I read it (as far as modification work goes).

The technical support looks fantastic for both but I mostly read that classic 5 link and I've copied here: http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/Default.aspx
Do these companies run specials, make deals, have sales, or offer incentives?

Would a guy need much more than what is in the package to complete the project? Probably the clutch pedal kit for sure . They show some upgrades that are options but I don't know if they are good or needed or what?

What sort of time for man hours would this take; rough guess. Consider one person is reasonably knowledgeable and the helper is me . Seriously I have not done transmissions but this one looks mostly built after removing the old one. Usually harder than it looks though.

Any suggestions from you guys that have done this kit or another one that you would recommend would be great! Seems like a great idea and not too far fetched to complete. I want minimal down time since I have not driven the car yet this year because of upgrading.
Thanks. Greg

 

Also check out AMP Performance.

Their TKO-600 kit also includes the clutch disc, pressure plate, TO bearing and alignment tool along with all the other goodies.

Their ebay price is $3,350

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/C1-C2...Q5fAccessories

 

I had not even considered ebay, didn't know about that availability. Looks like it is the same price as the other places when factoring in the shipping. Do you have some first hand knowledge either installing or using this product?

 

They also sell direct off-ebay - www.ampperformance.com

A member here, who used to be a vendor carried/carries their solution and has several happy customers here.

They are on my short list for then I pull the trigger on this mod. Have been researching for ~1 year.

 

Most of the top notch dealers like Classic, Keisler and Amp have a complete kit. It can include everything, even the pedals and bellhousing. It all depends on what you need and if you want to source any of the parts yourself. I have done a bunch of these conversions and going from and auto to manual is pretty easy. The most difficult or should I say time consuming is the pedals. Getting the pedal box out and putting it back in is a little challenging because there is very little room.

These kits are highly recomended by most guys here who have done the conversion. It totally transforms the car. I ran the 5 speed for a numbers of years and recently put in a T56 6 speed. Much more difficult to fit and hook up. The 5 speed is the way to go. Any specific questions just ask or PM me.

 

BTAL- I used your link the first time and saw their ebay listing. It seems that all these distributors have the same thing (product and parts). It must come down to the comfort level of the buyer and their feeling about who has the best customer service it would appear?

 

That AMP kit looks like a winner until you find the 1350 series U-joints won't clear the transmission tunnel of a C3 Vette and you have to open it up to fit the front yoke.

You will only get a TKO600 to fit with a 1310 series yoke, it's really tight around the transmission output because the TKO is about 2" longer than a Muncie.

 

Just can't beat learning from someone with first hand experience; multiple times!
It makes sense that the pedal box would have difficult access. I've been up under the driver's side dash a lot recently and it isn't pretty, or easy...

I'm convinced the 5 speed is the way to go for my needs/desires. The 600 that is auto to manual.
VERY kind of you to let me ask you questions in the future. I can assure you that I will. Is there a specific company out of all these that is particularly good to deal with from helpfulness to advice to patience with a guy whose strengths are not transmissions?

The Classic group seemed to have the owners as the hands on workers including tech support, not just sales....?
Thanks a lot Gordonm

 

Not sure what open it up means here for sure? As I stated earlier, I'm not a transmission guy so much.
It sounds like you're just saying that the wrong part got sent, it needs a different one to be correct. I assume they have the right u joints and are aware of this problem and which part(s) fit?

So what is the problem exactly, I don't see it nor has anyone else mentioned anything about it.
Could you be a little more specific, it would help me quite a bit because I don't understand.

Is this where some folks cut out a crossmember temporarily for room and then replace it with a modified version that is easily removed or replaced again. Something else I read that I don't understand yet...??

Really I need to know only one thing; is there a kit with all the right parts available that will work with my intended application?

Is this just the AMP place or everywhere that sells the kit. Confused.

 

The 1350 ujoint size on the back of the trans is bigger in diameter than a 1310 ujoint. It might become a clearance problem with the bigger 1350 joint. I think he means by opening it up is the trans tunnel will have to be enlarged. Some cars do some don't. At the power levels of most of the C3s that these go into the 1310 ujoint will hold up fine. As long as 6000 rpm drag racing launches with slicks is not an everyday thing you should be fine with a 1310 joint.

I know Keisler and Classic have complete kits with everything you need. I have not dealt with Amp to see what their kit includes.

As for cutting the crossmember, you do not need to if your car is an automatic. It is already removeable and the kits come with a bracket that bolts the rear mount right to the existing crossmember.

 

This link to Hurst for instance shows their list of 16 things that are included. http://www.hurst-drivelines.com/inde...=67&Itemid=84#Number 2 is:
"Driveshaft. Steel driveshaft complete with premium Spicer u-joints and custom 1310, strap style slip yoke. All driveshafts are balanced using state-of-the-art equipment."
It seems that this comes with what is needed...? I think anyway.


Great info and explanation, thanks alot. I'm seeing the picture now a little better. Too much power for the driveshaft to handle is never going to be a problem on this car (not anytime in the near future anyway). I just want a performer for when I want it to be and if needed within reason. I may need it with some regularity however, to some degree anyway I also know it would be way funner to drive plus a bit more economical when doing some travel style driving.

Of the 6 upgrades available on the web page that I'm referring to located at http://www.hurst-drivelines.com/inde...=67&Itemid=84# I think that maybe the competition street clutch would be a good upgrade, the pedal kit has to be an upgrade (from somewhere - it fits from here): flywheel or scattershield I don't know??

This site appears to be just as good as Hurst too. http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/im..._purchase.aspx
I'm guessing either is fine. I'm trying to find things that members can testify to having actual experience with; companies, people, or products.

Gordonm - that pedal box is mainly just 6 bolts at the firewall and some cable linkage that can be rigged before installation isn't it? Shouldn't be too bad, at least I could mostly see where I was working (mostly).

Can 2 people do that job in 2 days if they have never done it before? Within reason, doesn't matter, just will need to estimate time at some point.

 

Classic Chevy is now Hurst Driveline. They bought it or something like that but they are the same company.

Here is another option and it shows just the pedals. You can take out the box and remove the brake pedal and then put in the brake clutch combo. You have to get all the linkage, or you can go with a hydraulic setup (more money). I have done both. There are pluses and minuses to each.

http://www.keislerauto.com/vmchk/gm/...page_tabs.html

It would be a long 2 days but yes it could be done. A lift is going to make it a LOT easier and faster. I have done 2 with no lift and a few with a lift. I prefer the lift for sure.

 

I missed that somehow. No wonder I thought they seemed fairly equal, similar.

That's what the other site has except it is an option, not included as I interpret. Not sure if upgrades are just included here so no upgrades really are available OR if you just get what they have and that's it? Guess I'll tactfully add that to the questions to ask in person (phone).


I'm not familiar with the hydraulic setup and I likely don't need it; for sure I don't want to pay any more than I have to for everything. I'll have to pay someone for their time too on this. I can't miss days and days of work and everything else to do this. I've got to find someone to do it or help I'm afraid.

I think this really means that 2 days is way too ambitious, is that right Gordon? Should plan on nearly a week to do it to account for incidentals and mishaps, plus brainfreeze.

I read a thread from March where you (Gordonm) were discussing Keisler and Tremec parting company. You were pro Keisler, maybe both rather equal, is that the same and how did that all sort out?

Saw another thread and they were really down on Keisler. Poor support, horrible shipping, no returned calls, lots of excuses, even missing a part or two. Sounded bad so I did not consider them before now...maybe. It was more than just one person and an isolated incident it seems to me.
I hope this all works out, very cool upgrade for another vette enthusiast in his early 50's!!

 

My kit was a AMP kit bought thru Kevin. My 1350 U-joint fit with about 1/8" of clearance on the passenger side so I believe Solid LT1's comment may just be his opinion or whatever.

Remember, these cars were not built to tight specs. Anyone that has done any extensive work on them knows that. What works on one car may not work on another!

 

Tremec or distributors must know this of course. Do they send what they think should be the right part but exchange if it doesn't fit or is possible to do something different?
Corvettes are fairly well known for inconsistent fits over the years. Gaps and joints out of flush, etc. Minor is to be expected with these cars. Fiberglass moves over time and exposure to heat/cold and so forth.

Thanks for the reminder, Red 71. (fine looking car btw)

 

I have been pro Keisler since I have done 4 of their kits with no problems. The customer support was first rate and I never had any problems with them. If there was a problem they took care of it. I have not had any dealings with them recently so I don't know if things have changed. I would contact all 3 of these companies mentioned and see what each one has to offer and what kind of deal you can get.

 

I would stick with Keisler and through my experience with them and with Gordon, he knows this trans and installations, he's the best in my book for getting advice on this topic, mine came out great...

 

Talking in person (& live on the phone) is always the best communication. Thanks for the input. I would be very interested to hear what they all will do and if they are competitive. Hope they all do what they say they will, anyone can say what you want to hear. Sounds good about Keisler from someone that would know!

Thanks for the testimonial on the product. Also for the testimonial on Gordon but I could tell that about him many posts ago in other threads!
So you like yours 73? Did you go from automatic to 5 speed or what?

 

I did the conversion on his car and yes he went from the automatic to the TKO 5 speed. It changed the whole car. Much more fun as he will say for sure.