Kiesler SS700
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Binghamton NY
Kiesler SS700
Seriously thinking about Kiesler SS700 tranny upgrade for my 76. I would be very interested in any feed back from anyone out there who may have already installed one. The tranny will be married to a 383.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
I don't think enough people have had their SS700 long enough due to tooling/manufacturing delays that backed up production something like a year or more. I have only read a couple of reviews and they were all positive but are few and far between.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 62
From: Kona Hawaii
Swapped in a Richmond 6spd a few years back.great trans almost a bolt in and works well with the 3.08 rear gear.For best results match your rear gear to the trans.Too high or too low a first gear and you got a dog or an unusable 1st gear.I really like the 6 spd's gear ratio's,not much rpm loss on upshifts.6th gear OD on the Richmond complements the 3.08 rear gear on my 76 for hiway crusing.My write up:http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...am-change.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
As stated above, there's simply not enough anecdotal evidence to recommend or not.
As a side, the TKO-600 is a wonderful 5-speed tranny thay you can have your doorstep in days,..not months (or a year).
As a side, the TKO-600 is a wonderful 5-speed tranny thay you can have your doorstep in days,..not months (or a year).
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Binghamton NY
Rear end is 3.36 in the car right now. My concern with the TKO is the 2-3 shift. From what I have heard the gate is extremely narrow and requires a lot of "muscle memory" to make that shift quickly. Also, there appears to be some folks who have experienced a lot of leaks with this tranny.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Rear end is 3.36 in the car right now. My concern with the TKO is the 2-3 shift. From what I have heard the gate is extremely narrow and requires a lot of "muscle memory" to make that shift quickly. Also, there appears to be some folks who have experienced a lot of leaks with this tranny.
Typically, the people who have problems seem to want to grab the shifter rather than use a forward-palm motion.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
Most folks don't seem to mind having to 'train' themselves on how to shift a TKO quickly from 2nd to 3rd.
Personally, I don't think I should have to 're-learn' how to shift due to the shortcomings of a new transmission-
If I didn't have to do it with my 40 year old Muncie, I sure as hell don't want to do it now with a brand new 5-speed.
That's why I went with the SS700.
Personally, I don't think I should have to 're-learn' how to shift due to the shortcomings of a new transmission-
If I didn't have to do it with my 40 year old Muncie, I sure as hell don't want to do it now with a brand new 5-speed.
That's why I went with the SS700.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
Received mine in February and hope to have it installed either this weekend or the following weekend.
Elm
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Most folks don't seem to mind having to 'train' themselves on how to shift a TKO quickly from 2nd to 3rd.
Personally, I don't think I should have to 're-learn' how to shift due to the shortcomings of a new transmission-
If I didn't have to do it with my 40 year old Muncie, I sure as hell don't want to do it now with a brand new 5-speed.
That's why I went with the SS700.
Personally, I don't think I should have to 're-learn' how to shift due to the shortcomings of a new transmission-
If I didn't have to do it with my 40 year old Muncie, I sure as hell don't want to do it now with a brand new 5-speed.
That's why I went with the SS700.
The other is that there is something with the materials (synchros? blockers? can't remember off the top of my head the exact cause) that makes shifts above or about 6500 rpm just not possible. The company that is supposedly building the SS700s sells a parts kit to fix this.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Binghamton NY
Take a look at this. Apparently the problem is out there...
http://www.w8ji.com/tko_600_shifting_problems.htm
http://www.w8ji.com/tko_600_shifting_problems.htm
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 37
From: The Woodlands Texas
Another option is the RS500 I just receive mine two weeks ago. It will be a while before I can give a review but everyone I've talked to that has one, love it.
Unless your building a torque monster 383 (above 500), then you don't need the SS700.
Unless your building a torque monster 383 (above 500), then you don't need the SS700.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
My TKO leaks nothing (after 2+ years) . I have it behind a pretty snotty 496 and often shift at 6000,..(the engine is done at 6k,..so I can't speak to 6500 RPM shifts).
Keep in mind, there are 10's of thousands of TKO's out there providing trouble-free service.
Not trying to talk you out of the SS700,..just giving something to think about.
Good luck!
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Ordered my SS700 in mid December.. First ship date was March, Then April, then May 10, Then May 4th Now May 17th. I am to call Cheryl again tomorrow for an update after Keisler meets with Legend transmission people. Keisler and Legend can't get together on getting transmissions shipped to them???
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
I am waiting to see if Keisler would be able to catch up on the back orders for the SS700 by the summer but now it's not looking like they are going to remove the backlog and actually have some in stock inventory.
Looks like my SS700 will have to wait until 2014 to be installed even if I order it later in 2013. Hopefully Keisler and Legend will get the issues worked out so they can increase their production to meet the demand.
Looks like my SS700 will have to wait until 2014 to be installed even if I order it later in 2013. Hopefully Keisler and Legend will get the issues worked out so they can increase their production to meet the demand.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Rear end is 3.36 in the car right now. My concern with the TKO is the 2-3 shift. From what I have heard the gate is extremely narrow and requires a lot of "muscle memory" to make that shift quickly. Also, there appears to be some folks who have experienced a lot of leaks with this tranny.