To Convert Auto tranny to 5 speed or not to convert...that is the Question
05-19-2017, 05:10 PM
#21
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Posts: 11,608
Received 772 Likes
on
645 Posts
Kits are great if you have extra funds, i will put together my kit my self for about 1500 to 1800 install it and use the saved toad pelts for other goodies,
05-19-2017, 05:33 PM
#22
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Jun 2004
Location: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Posts: 18,355
Received 768 Likes
on
550 Posts
I finally did the swap to a TKO 600 a few years back and its the best thing I ever did to the car. I would highly recommend the swap, assuming you like driving a stick. (And I would suggest if you don't you probably shouldn't be driving a Corvette. 
)
As for the availability of good used transmissions the market is flooded with them. All those four speeds that are being replaced with five speeds are going somewhere. Check out eBay. Last itme I looked, there were pages of them. I think I have a couple kicking around as well. With that said, go with a five speed. The extra gear makes the car much more driveable.
)As for the availability of good used transmissions the market is flooded with them. All those four speeds that are being replaced with five speeds are going somewhere. Check out eBay. Last itme I looked, there were pages of them. I think I have a couple kicking around as well. With that said, go with a five speed. The extra gear makes the car much more driveable.
I'll have to take a look around. A couple years back I pulled the 5 speed outta my '69 and put the M21 back in it. I've pulled about 600# off the car over the years, and I didn't need the extra gearing from the 5 speed anymore (the 4 speed is also about 30# lighter than the 5 speed). A non-original 4 speed would sure ease my mind during track days as I have most of the original drivetrain stored away so I don't accidentally break them. I'll have to pursue adding the original trans to that safe storage mode.
05-22-2017, 07:52 PM
#24
Melting Slicks
5-speed all the way. My car was originally a 4-spd auto but the previous owner replaced it with a T5 5-speed. Now it's got a TKO 500, in prep for some future engine mods. The tall 5th gear is great for hwy driving.
05-22-2017, 08:15 PM
#25
Drifting
I did an OEM style 4 speed conversion, using a Richmond Racing Super T-10 (they are still used in late model racing. I wanted to keep mine OEM looking amd feeling. Motor looks oem, but is bored and stroke, forged mahle pistons with bumped compression and a real cam. So much more fun! Do it!
05-24-2017, 01:55 PM
#27
Drifting
I didn't see anyone mention American powertrain specialties, is there a reason? I did a quick price for their kit and it came to just over 4k
http://americanpowertrain.com/i-8521...speed-kit.html
http://americanpowertrain.com/i-8521...speed-kit.html
05-24-2017, 03:19 PM
#29
Drifting
05-24-2017, 05:58 PM
#30
Race Director
I didn't see anyone mention American powertrain specialties, is there a reason? I did a quick price for their kit and it came to just over 4k
http://americanpowertrain.com/i-8521...speed-kit.html
http://americanpowertrain.com/i-8521...speed-kit.html
05-24-2017, 05:58 PM
#31
Burning Brakes
05-28-2017, 10:26 AM
#32
2nd Gear
Member Since: May 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
More info?
Can you explain a little more about the shifter fabricating? I'm wondering I how to make the shifter fit my console. Also, will an 82-92 Camaro transmission fit my 1980 vette that has an automatic transmission now?
If you are going to keep the engine near stock levels (and/or lighten the car substantially) and you are a sane, non-abusive driver then the least expensive approach is to roll your own installation with a F body WC T5. $400-500 for good used trans, $100 driveshaft shortened, 26 spline clutch disk, fabricate a shifter and some wedge/beveled washers with a modified lower bracket. That approach does require some minor fabrications skills/tools and another issue that it is getting harder to find a good used trans anymore. Since you have an auto there are other parts needed as well, as identified above.
If you will be adding power or you powershift at redline with every shift, then a more robust TKO is the better approach. The various kits available in the aftermarket offer all needed with little to no fabrication required.
If you will be adding power or you powershift at redline with every shift, then a more robust TKO is the better approach. The various kits available in the aftermarket offer all needed with little to no fabrication required.
05-28-2017, 10:59 AM
#33
Le Mans Master
piece of flat stock positioned to the left, for a stick to get fastened to.
You could then use a stock vette stick to look correct if you want.
06-03-2017, 10:28 PM
#34
Instructor
Thread Starter
Another vote for Sliver Sport Transmission's TKO500. I was in the same situation with my Turbo400 and ended up using SST's kit. Their customer service is amazing and while I am not done installing it, the kit seems to include every nut, bolt and special doodad that you need to make it look like a OE install. Very nice. Everything from the driveline to the foot pedals is in the kit.
06-04-2017, 08:17 AM
#35
06-04-2017, 09:51 AM
#36
Pro
I don't remember the cost off hand. Go to their website. All the costs are there.
06-04-2017, 10:08 AM
#37
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: altered state
Posts: 81,242
Received 3,043 Likes
on
2,602 Posts
St. Jude Donor '05
Never heard anyone say I hate my OD want my old muncie back.
Autos are just plain boring dont care how consistent they are;great in DDs with traffic or trucks thats it.
Make your pick by whats funnest not dollar amount
A GM T5 will live ok provided youre not abusing it or pushing a lot of power.
Autos are just plain boring dont care how consistent they are;great in DDs with traffic or trucks thats it.
Make your pick by whats funnest not dollar amount
A GM T5 will live ok provided youre not abusing it or pushing a lot of power.
Last edited by cv67; 06-05-2017 at 12:42 PM.
06-05-2017, 12:35 PM
#38
Race Director
SST has a quote selection on their website. Just put in your engine with estimated hp/tq plus your current trans and they will email you a written quote listing all the parts. I received my quote from a TH-400 to TKO 600 and their auto OD. The TKO complete kit was about $5300.00 and the auto OD was $4800.00 and change.
The following users liked this post:
SSTGene (06-14-2017)