Best 5 speed conversion
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: pinehurst nc
Best 5 speed conversion
Looking at a 5 speed manual conversion for my 72 that originally came with a 4speed. Hooking it up to a big block but future plans for a LSX 454. Any input into which transmission/best conversion kit would be greatly appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 153
Likes: 21
I bought the Silver Sport TKO 600 kit for my 74 factory 4-speed, 3.55 rear end with a 502 in it. Used their clutch disc, pressure plate and throw out bearing. Kept the factory bell housing and existing flywheel (didn't have it surfaced). New clutch chattered a bit on take off but it has pretty much cleared up after driving for a while. The kit was complete and easy to install. Very happy with the end result.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have done 8 or 9 of these. I have used all 3 of the big vendors here. Silver Sport has always treated me the best. I'll give a plug for them. Just completed one last week. The owner is thrilled with his TKO 600 and 3.73 gears.
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
That's operator error. You can't over think the 2-3 shift I was out tearing it up Fri evening because of the Summit Racing car show event
While in second gear just wait for the shift light then you put your flat palm open hand on the shifter and just push forward
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 477
From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
As per gkull, I've had 0 shift problems with my TKO 600 (0.82 5th). I didn't buy a kit, bought the box and cut and welded the shifter with an offset to get it in the standard location. Just bought the shifter handle, mount, and console plate from Hurst. Had to open up up the hole in the tunnel a little and fit a larger rubber seal to cover it, but otherwise a bolt in swap that looks factory.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
It took me a long time to get that 2-3 shift right. I was raised on Muncies and Saginaws and the TKO is just different. If you try to move the shifter to the right as you select third, it just doesn't go. You have to learn to just push forward. The trans will find third even though it feels like you're going back into first.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 484
Likes: 43
From: NJ
not with mine. I have a problem with my 2nd to 3rd gear shift. Anything over 6600 rpm's and it wont go into gear. all other gears shift fine at any rpm. 7000 is a no go 6500 and under shifts like a dream. 
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
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
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Thinkingabout it more. I have always had the super light weight flywheels damper and crank shaft with high compression motors. So I was always rpm matched on gear changes. I have a sfi 12 pound aluminum or something close to that. So if I let off the gas to shift the rpm's just drop off
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
With the Keisler TK500 that I have with 11 lb flywheel and Sachs clutch as 76Rat states shifting above 6000 rpm isn't going to happen. Rev matching and shifting with palm heel like gkull mentions works fine otherwise. Anytime someone else does the 2-3 shift they blow it even during normal driving, no such thing as like a speed shift with like a Muncie and a Hurst comp shifter. I was let down with the performance of the TK500. T