Best 5 speed conversion
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 484
Likes: 43
From: NJ
I said the updated tko but I don't have the updated my self. I bought the old keisler 600 kit I guess that I got the lucky one. I made maybe a thousand laps over the years road racing with three different motors shifting at or near my 7500 rpm rev limiter. It wasn't until later that I heard that other people were having problems
Don't get me wrong, I do love the way this thing shifts and handles.
I still think it was a great update for my car.
The Keisler TK500 that I have with 11 lb flywheel and Sachs clutch
Last edited by 76Rat; May 8, 2017 at 08:55 AM. Reason: added info
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: pinehurst nc
TKO 600 it is
Was leaning in that direction but wanted to see what issues folks were having. Just have to do some math and figure out which ratio to go with. thanks for all the input.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
To the poster get online and look at gearing, tire dia, and rpm The tko 600 has 2.87 first gear and when combined to 3.73 requires very little clutch slipping to get going if you have some power
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 57
Wanting to do a 5 or 6 speed swap on my '71 350/270, 4-speed w/~120K miles.
When doing a swap, can anyone make a case why the 5-speed would be preferred over a 6-speed?
I know there are probably dozens of threads addressing this next question, but what is the best route for getting around my stock, non-removable cross member?
Thanks
When doing a swap, can anyone make a case why the 5-speed would be preferred over a 6-speed?
I know there are probably dozens of threads addressing this next question, but what is the best route for getting around my stock, non-removable cross member?
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
2nd and 3rd are kind of generic. 4th is direct. You need to figure 5th and 1st. Launch ratio. 9:1 is good for the street. 10 to 10.5 for drag strip. You get 1st too deep, you will be hitting second in 2 car lengths. And pulling out in second cuz 1st just pisses you off and now you have a really expensive 3 speed with OD...
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Wanting to do a 5 or 6 speed swap on my '71 350/270, 4-speed w/~120K miles.
When doing a swap, can anyone make a case why the 5-speed would be preferred over a 6-speed?
I know there are probably dozens of threads addressing this next question, but what is the best route for getting around my stock, non-removable cross member?
Thanks
When doing a swap, can anyone make a case why the 5-speed would be preferred over a 6-speed?
I know there are probably dozens of threads addressing this next question, but what is the best route for getting around my stock, non-removable cross member?
Thanks
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
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,795
Likes: 435
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Wanting to do a 5 or 6 speed swap on my '71 350/270, 4-speed w/~120K miles.
When doing a swap, can anyone make a case why the 5-speed would be preferred over a 6-speed?
I know there are probably dozens of threads addressing this next question, but what is the best route for getting around my stock, non-removable cross member?
Thanks
When doing a swap, can anyone make a case why the 5-speed would be preferred over a 6-speed?
I know there are probably dozens of threads addressing this next question, but what is the best route for getting around my stock, non-removable cross member?
Thanks
But it can be done as told above, I did that, I also took out the radiator. It was tight.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 57
between the two fo them the size is going to be the issue. The 5 speed will fit the stock non removable cross member. It is tight but will go. The 6 speed requires a removable one and a good deal of modification to make it fit. I have had both in my car. Actually a TKO 500 and 600 and now a T56. I really like the T56 but it is a lot more work. The 500 with 3.73 gears does have a little bit short of a first gear. The 600 is way better. Honestly if you can make the cross member removable. I did the first time years ago with the 500 and have had mine out countless times and it makes it so much easier to remove. A lot less time consuming and lot less busted knuckles.
How do you suggest making the original 4-speed cross member removable?
If I didn't want to modify the fixed 4-speed cross member, am I required to remove the engine when swapping or servicing the new 5-speed trans?
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,795
Likes: 435
From: Aarhus, Denmark
1.For street use (no racing), what 5-speed & rear end gear ratios would you recommend? Ideally, don't I want the two ratios to multiply to 10?
2. How do you suggest making the original 4-speed cross member removable?
3. If I didn't want to modify the fixed 4-speed cross member, am I required to remove the engine when swapping or servicing the new 5-speed trans?
Thanks
2. How do you suggest making the original 4-speed cross member removable?
3. If I didn't want to modify the fixed 4-speed cross member, am I required to remove the engine when swapping or servicing the new 5-speed trans?
Thanks
2. You don't need to take it out, if you go for a T5WC, I don't know about 500/600 transmissions.
3. No, not if you go for T5 transmissions.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,795
Likes: 435
From: Aarhus, Denmark
You ask, "what is the best", that would be, as I see it, a brand new 5 speed like the TKO 600 and if you get a perfect fit kit, then you have all you need. But is cost some $
For much less, you can go for a T5WC, but is will give you a bit more work :- )
For much less, you can go for a T5WC, but is will give you a bit more work :- )
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 943
Likes: 73
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,399
Likes: 8,204
From: Napa Valley California
I'm going with the SST auto to manual kit and the TKO-600 RR with .82 od, to put behind my 496 cu in.
Keep in mind the operating and cruising rpm's of your cam when you pick your trans and rear end gears.
It all has to work together and depends on what you plan to use your car for.
Keep in mind the operating and cruising rpm's of your cam when you pick your trans and rear end gears.
It all has to work together and depends on what you plan to use your car for.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 57
I'm going with the SST auto to manual kit and the TKO-600 RR with .82 od, to put behind my 496 cu in.
Keep in mind the operating and cruising rpm's of your cam when you pick your trans and rear end gears.
It all has to work together and depends on what you plan to use your car for.
Keep in mind the operating and cruising rpm's of your cam when you pick your trans and rear end gears.
It all has to work together and depends on what you plan to use your car for.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Lower rpm does not always equal better.
Ex -DD 02 Silverado, stock 3.73 gear, 4.60e gets the same mileage at 60 in D as it does in OD. So 65 up OD is a plus, on the st it just lugs the motor.
If you got a big cam OD is useless unless youre really humming. 6th gear in my A body, unless Im doing 80plus isnt needed period.