When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Depends on a what you need/have now (motor configuration, rear gear)
Many cases a 5 spd works fine, can almost never use 6th.
Sure SS trans can help you make the right decision
I am doing a 6sp conversion in my project simply because it fell into my lap at a price that I could not walk away from, otherwise I think I would be perfectly happy with the 5sp swap.
Either way, SST is the way to go for parts or a complete kit.
I heard c4 trannies were too large for c3 tunnels, and junk to boot. The t56 from 94-up v8 camaros-firebird fit but take a lot more doing to install and cost lots more than the t5 that is fairly common and reasonable.
The early C4 had the 4+3 transmission which was a joke. The later ones had a ZF 6 speed which is huge and will not fit without tunnel mods. The T56 just fits in there. It is tight but fits and you will definitely need a removable crossmember. The T5 is ok for very low HP cars but if you plan on much over 300 HP the T5 if driven hard will lay its gears on the street. The TKO is the way to go for a 5 speed. T56 requires a little more work but does fit in with some mods. I have had the TKO in mine now have a T56. I have also installed about 10 or so TKOs in forum members cars. Well worth the time and effort.
Have their T56 Magnum kit with hydraulic clutch and couldn't be happier. They even swapped out the 5th and 6th gears in house so I could have the gearing I was after.
Absolutely!
Whether you get the 5 speed or 6 speed, get it from Silver Sport Transmission.
I bought my TKO600 from Jeff at SST and the product and customer service are both outstanding. Jeff answered all my questions and the complete kit arrived with everything I needed to install the transmission.
I parked my car at their display on the midway at Corvettes at Carlisle last year and I was able to get to know the owner, Jack Silver, a little better.
I can confidently say you will not find very many people who are as dedicated to delivering a top notch product with impeccable customer service.
I see threads about the 4 to 5sp conversion, is there a 4 to 6sp conversion out there? If 4sp is good, 5sp is better.. what about a 6sp???
I converted my 78 3 speed auto to a T56 Magnum, No kit when I started, parts bought from other vendors (not SST) everything was good except for the offset shifter which leaked, until I re-designed how it was sealed. No customer service other than sending me spare parts to repair myself.
Here is my install.
My car is mostly used for track days. 3.08 Rear diff with a .62 6th which I regularly use driving to the track 70MPH which is great. It is not a passing gear, but cruises just fine @ 73 MPH (1800 RPM)
I'm not sure what benefit the extra gear would be for you. An 'under-powered' car would benefit from it by keeping engine in power band better. A C3 with plenty of torque has little need of that.
If you could go 150+ mph on U.S. highways, the 6-speed would be useful.