Who has installed a TKO?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 816
Likes: 107
Who has installed a TKO?
I tried to search but could not find much if anything...... Maybe it's because I am searching from my phone????
Anyway I am thinking of installing a TKO 5 speed in my '69.
I talked to American Powertrain.... The trans and install kit is $3,900!!! Ouch!!!!
They said they modify the case so that the shifter is in the correct spot.
The main reason for this other than the obvious is I have always had issues with my hurst shifter. The money is a lil hard to swallow but I am about tired of constantly being under the car dicking with adjusting the shifter and nothing burns me up more than the shifter hanging up when trying to pull a gear!
I would like to hear from guys that have done this swap.
What trans?
What install kit if any?
Likes / dislikes?
Problems?
All info and opinions welcome!
Anyway I am thinking of installing a TKO 5 speed in my '69.
I talked to American Powertrain.... The trans and install kit is $3,900!!! Ouch!!!!
They said they modify the case so that the shifter is in the correct spot.
The main reason for this other than the obvious is I have always had issues with my hurst shifter. The money is a lil hard to swallow but I am about tired of constantly being under the car dicking with adjusting the shifter and nothing burns me up more than the shifter hanging up when trying to pull a gear!
I would like to hear from guys that have done this swap.
What trans?
What install kit if any?
Likes / dislikes?
Problems?
All info and opinions welcome!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
I bought Keisler TKO 5 speed in 05 or 06. My cross member was welded in witch makes it very, very, very tight. I've change a lot of tranny's in my day. You have to follow the directions to the letter. It sounds so strange, but it works. After I got the tranny in place. I drove it for a few weeks and loved it.. I was worth every penny I payed. I did cut the cross member and made it removable. It will make changing the clutch a lot easer. You will say the same. Driven at 75 mph @ 1900 rpm's. I've traveled all over this country in my 78 Vette w/5 speed. Your engine will run a lot better. I could go on and on with only good things to say. Bite the bullet and buy a TKO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I've done this swap. One of the best mods I've done.
Keisler is out of business. I bought from American Powertrain - they did well.
Following is an expose on my swap. It's definitely not Lars quality, but might have a tidbit in it you can use.
Click here for the skinny - WARNING - crappy language...
FWIW, I don't use rollers anymore. They don't last long enough for me.
Keisler is out of business. I bought from American Powertrain - they did well.
Following is an expose on my swap. It's definitely not Lars quality, but might have a tidbit in it you can use.
Click here for the skinny - WARNING - crappy language...
FWIW, I don't use rollers anymore. They don't last long enough for me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,291
Likes: 493
From: Salmon Arm, BC
I did this to my car, and it totally changed the driving experience for me. I do alot of hiway driving, as I live in the country, and it's so much more enjoyable motoring down the hiway at 18-1900RPM than the 27-2900RPM of before the swap. I have the .64 OD with 3.36 rear gears, I do think I'd be happier if I had 3.55 rear gears, but the car is a treat to drive with things the way they are.
I would suggest making a removeable x-member while your at it....maintenance down the road will be much easier.
Spend the money....you cant take it with you
I would suggest making a removeable x-member while your at it....maintenance down the road will be much easier.
Spend the money....you cant take it with you
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
I just finished putting a TKO600 in my '79. It replaces the 700R4 I've had in there for years. The overdrive was fantastic, but I missed shifting my own gears. I got the trans from Modern Driveline. They supplied the trans with the shifter relocated, but I still found it was a little too far forward, so I fabricated a bracket to relocate the shifter handle farther back. Haven't had a chance to drive it yet - winter won't go away around here, but everything seems to work properly. I have been accumulating parts for a couple of years, but by the time you buy the pedals, clutch, flywheel, bellhousing, linkage, and gazillion other odds and ends, its about $5000.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 207
From: Loveland, CO
I have installed two, one in my '69 and another in a '72. Both were installed during a frame off restoration, so no problems with install (the only way to do it). Mine were Keisler's also, but that is now history.
Transforms car like almost no other modification can.
Ralph
Transforms car like almost no other modification can.
Ralph
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 925
Likes: 7
This about says it all in my opinion. Everything is different after a TKO install. The heat to the cooling system, the heat into the cabin, the mileage, the wear on the engine and the exhaust noise reduction. I run a BB with Hooker side pipes with Max-Flows, but at 70 mph you can still have a conversation. One of the best mods you can do. And I've swapped engines, rears, suspension components, drive-shafts, half-shafts, removable cross-member, etc., nothing comes close to the change that the OD tranny has on the car.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 557
From: Seattle Washington
Using the Search should bring up a vast amount of info doing this swap. As far as the off set Shifter goes' the easy way is to just order it that way and be done with it. However it has also been done with out it and its been done in a couple of different ways.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
check out this web sight. This guy has done it all from Auto to manual to zz4 swap and so on
http://corvettec3.ca/index.htm
there is a wealth of info here
I just did a auto manual swap on my 75. I used the American powertrain kit. Pricy yes. But everything you need and someone to call if you run into problem
http://corvettec3.ca/index.htm
there is a wealth of info here
I just did a auto manual swap on my 75. I used the American powertrain kit. Pricy yes. But everything you need and someone to call if you run into problem
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
I cut the crossmember before I did the TKO swap. It was never going to be original again. Several threads on that. The swap is not difficult but not an easy job either. Follow directions take your time. I had to resurface the flywheel and I spent some time insulating the tunnel. I think that if I had all new parts and a removable crossmember it is easily a weekend job.
It is well worth the money. Makes the car a pleasure to drive.. American Powertrain makes a great kit.
The trans has to be modified to make the shifter fit no matter who makes the kit. It is not an issue.
It is well worth the money. Makes the car a pleasure to drive.. American Powertrain makes a great kit.
The trans has to be modified to make the shifter fit no matter who makes the kit. It is not an issue.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 352
Likes: 1
From: Central NJ
Anyone know what kind of power a TKO 6spd can handle? I'm going for some BIG BIG numbers (full blown racecar stuff) but I want to keep it a clutch car. Please don't try to talk me into auto, I'm set on this. I'm just wondering if anyone has info on power ratings
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
I have the Keisler TKO 600 transmission kits in my 68 and 70. The kits cost $3500. If American Powertrain wants more, then consider that Keisler went bankrupt...they should have charged more!! Powertrain's price may be the going realistic price.
Love the TKO 600 5 speed, driving it in my 68. The 70 has not hit the road. The 68 has a 3.73:1 rear end, so the overdrive in the TKO 600 puts me at about 2000 rpms at 70 mph. This is just a really comfortable cruising rpm...minimize engine wear and minimize fuel burn. I like the way it shifts. I've driven Richmond 5 speeds, and the TKO 600 is so much nicer. My 70 has a 3.73:1 rear end, so the TKO trannie will have similar performance.
The TKO 600 has a lot of foot-pound ratings...600 foot- pounds of torque.
The Richmond 5 speeds are only rated at 450 foot -pounds of torque. The Richmonds are 1:1 in fifth gear and much lower in first gear. The TKO' are about the same in first gear and overdrive in 5 th gear.
Love the TKO 600 5 speed, driving it in my 68. The 70 has not hit the road. The 68 has a 3.73:1 rear end, so the overdrive in the TKO 600 puts me at about 2000 rpms at 70 mph. This is just a really comfortable cruising rpm...minimize engine wear and minimize fuel burn. I like the way it shifts. I've driven Richmond 5 speeds, and the TKO 600 is so much nicer. My 70 has a 3.73:1 rear end, so the TKO trannie will have similar performance.
The TKO 600 has a lot of foot-pound ratings...600 foot- pounds of torque.
The Richmond 5 speeds are only rated at 450 foot -pounds of torque. The Richmonds are 1:1 in fifth gear and much lower in first gear. The TKO' are about the same in first gear and overdrive in 5 th gear.
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 722
Likes: 58
From: Karlsruhe (Germany)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...1-munci-4.html
Btw:
the TKO600 wont handle a "big big blown" race car unless you are talking of a Honda
The big advantage of the TKO-Kit is, that it fits in the tunnel without major changes or cutouts.
Hurst wrote in the manual, that it can be used for track racing, but they don´t recomend it.
If you think really big...I don´t know...try a T56.
Btw:
the TKO600 wont handle a "big big blown" race car unless you are talking of a Honda
The big advantage of the TKO-Kit is, that it fits in the tunnel without major changes or cutouts.
Hurst wrote in the manual, that it can be used for track racing, but they don´t recomend it.
If you think really big...I don´t know...try a T56.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 925
Likes: 7
As was stated above, the TKO600 is rated for 600 ft-lbs. The higher numerically your rear gears are, the more HP the tranny can take, but there is a limit and certainly shock loading is not advised. You might do better with the new Legend 700 ft-lbs 5 speed. I was told that it is essentially a 5 speed T56 by a very well known tranny master here in South Florida.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
I will be putting in a TKO kit as soon as I can save the money (again), to buy the kit. Keisler made a great kit that was a direct bolt in and the only thing extra you had to buy was the clutch disk. As others have said keisler is out of business but another company bought the rights to their kit as well as all their instock items, machines and what not. I talked to the new VP of sales the other day for the new company, I posted my findings in the General forum, here's the link if you want to read it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ew-source.html
In my opinion American Powertrain is charging too much but that's just my opinion so take it for what it's worth. I have also e-mailed a couple of other companies for quotes but haven't gotten a reply and it's been over a week.
I too will be making my crossmember removable...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ew-source.html
In my opinion American Powertrain is charging too much but that's just my opinion so take it for what it's worth. I have also e-mailed a couple of other companies for quotes but haven't gotten a reply and it's been over a week.
I too will be making my crossmember removable...
Last edited by AirborneSilva; Apr 24, 2014 at 10:13 AM.
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 722
Likes: 58
From: Karlsruhe (Germany)
My Experience was, that all vendors of those kits where very close togehter if you take everything in you will need. (all in ~$150 range)
One had the clutch included, the other has free shipping and so on.
Keisler had the best price without shipping. But then they wanted $250 (or sth. like that) while Hurst ships for free.
One had the clutch included, the other has free shipping and so on.
Keisler had the best price without shipping. But then they wanted $250 (or sth. like that) while Hurst ships for free.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
My Experience was, that all vendors of those kits where very close togehter if you take everything in you will need. (all in ~$150 range)
One had the clutch included, the other has free shipping and so on.
Keisler had the best price without shipping. But then they wanted $250 (or sth. like that) while Hurst ships for free.
One had the clutch included, the other has free shipping and so on.
Keisler had the best price without shipping. But then they wanted $250 (or sth. like that) while Hurst ships for free.
I would of had to buy my own clutch but they quoted me a price of $265 for the one they recommended I use. If I remember correctly American Powertrains price was like $400-$500 more than Keisler and then I would of had to buy a couple of extras on top of that. The new company said they are going to price right around what Keisler was charging.
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 722
Likes: 58
From: Karlsruhe (Germany)
Well I can say, that the cheapest vendor at the end of last year was Hurst.
But I bought the clutch on my own. I saw the one they are offering can be bought much cheaper at summit. Think thats where they try to make some bucks
So try Hurst + buying clutch elsewhere. I didn´t need more things, everything was included (despite tranny oil).
But I bought the clutch on my own. I saw the one they are offering can be bought much cheaper at summit. Think thats where they try to make some bucks
So try Hurst + buying clutch elsewhere. I didn´t need more things, everything was included (despite tranny oil).