5 Speed Overdrive Upgrade
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 234
Likes: 15
5 Speed Overdrive Upgrade
Hi All,
First let me make it clear that I have no partnership nor investment in any of the companies in this write up. Normally I don’t write anything about a products or experience, however I found nothing on this forum detailing the process of transmission upgrade kits only the aftermath so I strongly felt it was due.
I have a 1975 convertible 4 speed Corvette. Recently I had to replace my engine and decided on a BluePrint Engines 350. (Awesome company and product!). But as luck would have it my 4 speed started failing.
Had the decision of replacing the 4 speed, rebuilding it, or upgrading to a 5 or 6 speed. After a few discussions, decided on a 5 speed conversion kit. Didn’t want to modify the body needed for a 6 speed, just true bolt in. But from what company? After 4 weeks of evaluation it came down to American PowerTrain or SilverSport Transmissions. During a 2 week long research I found good and bad things on American PowerTrain including a lot of TV car shows using the American PowerTrain products. Found a few positive things on SilverSport, but not really any car TV shows. The really disturbing thing was nothing negative on them on the web at all. This is not normal because someone always has a complaint. I thought that maybe SilverSport had any negative feedback removed, or something. Did find some videos but it was after the install and more sales promotion related. Being paranoid I got a quote from both companies. The parts list was practically identical, however the cost for American PowerTrain was a bit higher than SilverSport Transmission. The choice was very very difficult, so I tested both companies customer service. American PowerTrain was not bad but could not get help on a weekend. SilverSport I did get someone that called back on a Saturday but nothing for Sunday (understandable). The deciding factor was I called American Powertrain on a Thursday and got an automated recording. This went on for 3 days. Seems there was a big car event and the company seemed closed to attend. This made me think that American PowerTrain is heavy on advertisement (understandable), but second on customer focus. SilverSport I reached every time I picked up the phone. Ok SilverSport it was. I called again and they helped me get the rear end gear ratio and completed the order.
About 4 days after putting in the order all parts from SilverSport arrived. The transmission was packed in an impressive box that protected it during shipping. I was taken back on the attention to detail in the packaging boxes. 2 days later the drive shaft from a different company arrived. The odd thing is that I had a day or so to call the driveshaft company to report any shipping damage or else that company would not honor the product.
OMG the parts for the 5 speed conversion was intimidating, but the detail and labeling was nothing less than outstanding. Looking through the instructions it is indicated that you can perform the installation from under the car in your driveway without removing the engine. (Don’t You Believe It!) Lol. I’m sure you can if you have a lot of patience and small flat hands but that’s not me. Under a C3 there is practically no room and I could see my hands, back and nerves taking a beating. I decided to remove the engine and do it all outside the car. (Best thing I ever did.) The installation was not easy, but not too difficult. Each step is detailed in the instructions with sharp clear photos. The hardest thing was dialing in the bell housing. There are a lot of video’s out there on how to do it but it was still confusing. SilverSport has a video of Dick McCord doing the work but it still left a few questions. The video doesn’t start from the very beginning, fitting the dial indicator, and starting point on the bell housing. (It starts with this already accomplished) Don’t get me wrong it’s a great video and you can see Mr. McCord is a seasoned no nonsense, very serious in his craft expert. But it could be better if it was from the point of view of someone that never did it before step by step from the very beginning. The American Powertrain’s video is outstanding, really perfection, an excellent video “How to Dial Indicate Your Bell Housing” It’s step by step from the binning and also details why you must dial indicate the bell housing from warranty and damage to the transmission perspective. Hats off to American Powertrain on this video, Best on the web.
Being a nervous person I called SilverSport about half a dozen times on this procedure. I even did the measurement a 3rd time with tech support (Chris) on the line performing step by step each process on a Saturday. (Sorry Chris). Every thing was good and no dowel pins was needed to correct bellhousing alignment.
The install started first with installing pilot bearing, clutch and pressure plate. The clutch and pressure plate I got from SilverSport. Transmissions. My reasoning was to get all transmission parts from SilverSport so there would be no issues of parts alignment or fitting. (Wanted no problems at all.) After installing the clutch and pressure plate I installed the bell housing and transmission. To my shock the transmission would not seal against the bellhousing. I panicked and call tech support. I thought the pilot bearing was the wrong size. After a few questions Chis said the clutch although centered by the clutch alignment tool was not 100% aligned. He suggested to remove the bellhousing put the transmission on a transmission jack and install. (Luckily a picked up a transmission jack from Harbor Freight.) Once installed torque the pressure plate, remove the transmission, install and torque the bell housing, and then reinstall the transmission. Naturally I didn’t think this would work because the clutch alignment tool is a copy of the transmission shaft. But to my absolute amazement the transmission now slipped right in with no issues at all the first time. I shouted out HALLELUIAH!!!!! and called Chris back to offer to by him a beer. This was absolutely amazing!!!!!!
The install was finally completed after about a dozen more calls, not that anything was missing or wrong, just me being paranoid and not doing anything without SilverSport validating everything was on the money. (After all this was a major investment.) Instructions were very very good, but there were one or two things that were reprinted that wasn’t in the main instructions. (Speedo cable install, better bell housing alignment instructions, reverse light location on the transmission etc.…)
I started the car and heard a grind from the transmission from inside the car. (Console was not installed at this point.) Well you known me, panicked that there was something wrong and called tech support. They informed that the transmission needed to be broken in and the sound will diminish after a few days. I let the car idle for 5 minutes and dove it in the driveway back and forth for about 10 minutes. Then took it on the road for another 10 minutes and back to the driveway to check everything. The shifting was stiff and hard. The clutch pedal felt low. After another call I was instructed how to adjust the clutch pedal while staying within specs of the warranty. (Pedal was much better.)
I put about 10 miles on the transmission and I don’t hear the noise at all. In fact the shifting now is smooth as glass and I have too say the transmission feels 100% better. You do have to get use to the change. The old 4 speed was long flowing shifts. The 5 speed is short thrusts and you have to get use to the extra gear.
Ok, after a week long install it’s time to close things up in the interior. I installed the console, but the top edge of the console blocks 1st, 3rd, and 5th gear. Well the panic started but this time I thought this install has been top notch so far, let me think this out and give poor Chris a break. Discovered that the shifter is Z shape and rod is pointing toward to the front of the car. All the pictures on the web the rod is toward the back of the car. This can only mean the shifter was installed backwards. I removed the top two hold down bolts and simply turned the shifter around. Now all is perfect and all gears clear the console beautify.
I understand now why there was nothing on the web negative about SilverSport. It’s because there is nothing negative to report. The cost was very reasonable (but who would not want a lower price, it’s human nature.) The instructions are very very good. My only suggestion to the install is to include in the shipping the current up to date instructions with all the updated segments. The customer support is nothing less than spectacular. Lets be real, I’m a pain in the %%#$# to any tech support line, I’ve had other company’s throw in the towel or ignore my calls after 2 calls. NOT SilverSport, they answered every single call and they always ended with “Call us back if you need anything, that’s what we’re her for.” It was like a dare to stump them or break they’re patience. Even person directing the calls tried to answer a question or two. (Really who does that? Most people directing the calls would just pass the buck, but not at this company). You really fell that they want this to work well and for the customer to have the best experience possible. (Well mission accomplished a thousand times over.) This shows what kind of company SilverSport is. They are 100% dedicated to the customer experience and quality of product and not to advertisement or making a buck. If that sound corny it’s because company’s today could careless about the customer once they have your money and customers have accepted this as the norm. Another amazing thing is that at no time in my million calls did anyone recommend that I purchase anything additional from SilverSport to resolve the issue nor did anyone pass the buck.
I’m not knocking American PowerTrain. I’m sure they are a fantastic company. I just found the attention to detail, support, quality of product, dedication, and customer experience from SilverSport Transmission to be second to none.
Thank you SilverSport Transmissions PLEASE DON’T CHANGE!!!
First let me make it clear that I have no partnership nor investment in any of the companies in this write up. Normally I don’t write anything about a products or experience, however I found nothing on this forum detailing the process of transmission upgrade kits only the aftermath so I strongly felt it was due.
I have a 1975 convertible 4 speed Corvette. Recently I had to replace my engine and decided on a BluePrint Engines 350. (Awesome company and product!). But as luck would have it my 4 speed started failing.
Had the decision of replacing the 4 speed, rebuilding it, or upgrading to a 5 or 6 speed. After a few discussions, decided on a 5 speed conversion kit. Didn’t want to modify the body needed for a 6 speed, just true bolt in. But from what company? After 4 weeks of evaluation it came down to American PowerTrain or SilverSport Transmissions. During a 2 week long research I found good and bad things on American PowerTrain including a lot of TV car shows using the American PowerTrain products. Found a few positive things on SilverSport, but not really any car TV shows. The really disturbing thing was nothing negative on them on the web at all. This is not normal because someone always has a complaint. I thought that maybe SilverSport had any negative feedback removed, or something. Did find some videos but it was after the install and more sales promotion related. Being paranoid I got a quote from both companies. The parts list was practically identical, however the cost for American PowerTrain was a bit higher than SilverSport Transmission. The choice was very very difficult, so I tested both companies customer service. American PowerTrain was not bad but could not get help on a weekend. SilverSport I did get someone that called back on a Saturday but nothing for Sunday (understandable). The deciding factor was I called American Powertrain on a Thursday and got an automated recording. This went on for 3 days. Seems there was a big car event and the company seemed closed to attend. This made me think that American PowerTrain is heavy on advertisement (understandable), but second on customer focus. SilverSport I reached every time I picked up the phone. Ok SilverSport it was. I called again and they helped me get the rear end gear ratio and completed the order.
About 4 days after putting in the order all parts from SilverSport arrived. The transmission was packed in an impressive box that protected it during shipping. I was taken back on the attention to detail in the packaging boxes. 2 days later the drive shaft from a different company arrived. The odd thing is that I had a day or so to call the driveshaft company to report any shipping damage or else that company would not honor the product.
OMG the parts for the 5 speed conversion was intimidating, but the detail and labeling was nothing less than outstanding. Looking through the instructions it is indicated that you can perform the installation from under the car in your driveway without removing the engine. (Don’t You Believe It!) Lol. I’m sure you can if you have a lot of patience and small flat hands but that’s not me. Under a C3 there is practically no room and I could see my hands, back and nerves taking a beating. I decided to remove the engine and do it all outside the car. (Best thing I ever did.) The installation was not easy, but not too difficult. Each step is detailed in the instructions with sharp clear photos. The hardest thing was dialing in the bell housing. There are a lot of video’s out there on how to do it but it was still confusing. SilverSport has a video of Dick McCord doing the work but it still left a few questions. The video doesn’t start from the very beginning, fitting the dial indicator, and starting point on the bell housing. (It starts with this already accomplished) Don’t get me wrong it’s a great video and you can see Mr. McCord is a seasoned no nonsense, very serious in his craft expert. But it could be better if it was from the point of view of someone that never did it before step by step from the very beginning. The American Powertrain’s video is outstanding, really perfection, an excellent video “How to Dial Indicate Your Bell Housing” It’s step by step from the binning and also details why you must dial indicate the bell housing from warranty and damage to the transmission perspective. Hats off to American Powertrain on this video, Best on the web.
Being a nervous person I called SilverSport about half a dozen times on this procedure. I even did the measurement a 3rd time with tech support (Chris) on the line performing step by step each process on a Saturday. (Sorry Chris). Every thing was good and no dowel pins was needed to correct bellhousing alignment.
The install started first with installing pilot bearing, clutch and pressure plate. The clutch and pressure plate I got from SilverSport. Transmissions. My reasoning was to get all transmission parts from SilverSport so there would be no issues of parts alignment or fitting. (Wanted no problems at all.) After installing the clutch and pressure plate I installed the bell housing and transmission. To my shock the transmission would not seal against the bellhousing. I panicked and call tech support. I thought the pilot bearing was the wrong size. After a few questions Chis said the clutch although centered by the clutch alignment tool was not 100% aligned. He suggested to remove the bellhousing put the transmission on a transmission jack and install. (Luckily a picked up a transmission jack from Harbor Freight.) Once installed torque the pressure plate, remove the transmission, install and torque the bell housing, and then reinstall the transmission. Naturally I didn’t think this would work because the clutch alignment tool is a copy of the transmission shaft. But to my absolute amazement the transmission now slipped right in with no issues at all the first time. I shouted out HALLELUIAH!!!!! and called Chris back to offer to by him a beer. This was absolutely amazing!!!!!!
The install was finally completed after about a dozen more calls, not that anything was missing or wrong, just me being paranoid and not doing anything without SilverSport validating everything was on the money. (After all this was a major investment.) Instructions were very very good, but there were one or two things that were reprinted that wasn’t in the main instructions. (Speedo cable install, better bell housing alignment instructions, reverse light location on the transmission etc.…)
I started the car and heard a grind from the transmission from inside the car. (Console was not installed at this point.) Well you known me, panicked that there was something wrong and called tech support. They informed that the transmission needed to be broken in and the sound will diminish after a few days. I let the car idle for 5 minutes and dove it in the driveway back and forth for about 10 minutes. Then took it on the road for another 10 minutes and back to the driveway to check everything. The shifting was stiff and hard. The clutch pedal felt low. After another call I was instructed how to adjust the clutch pedal while staying within specs of the warranty. (Pedal was much better.)
I put about 10 miles on the transmission and I don’t hear the noise at all. In fact the shifting now is smooth as glass and I have too say the transmission feels 100% better. You do have to get use to the change. The old 4 speed was long flowing shifts. The 5 speed is short thrusts and you have to get use to the extra gear.
Ok, after a week long install it’s time to close things up in the interior. I installed the console, but the top edge of the console blocks 1st, 3rd, and 5th gear. Well the panic started but this time I thought this install has been top notch so far, let me think this out and give poor Chris a break. Discovered that the shifter is Z shape and rod is pointing toward to the front of the car. All the pictures on the web the rod is toward the back of the car. This can only mean the shifter was installed backwards. I removed the top two hold down bolts and simply turned the shifter around. Now all is perfect and all gears clear the console beautify.
I understand now why there was nothing on the web negative about SilverSport. It’s because there is nothing negative to report. The cost was very reasonable (but who would not want a lower price, it’s human nature.) The instructions are very very good. My only suggestion to the install is to include in the shipping the current up to date instructions with all the updated segments. The customer support is nothing less than spectacular. Lets be real, I’m a pain in the %%#$# to any tech support line, I’ve had other company’s throw in the towel or ignore my calls after 2 calls. NOT SilverSport, they answered every single call and they always ended with “Call us back if you need anything, that’s what we’re her for.” It was like a dare to stump them or break they’re patience. Even person directing the calls tried to answer a question or two. (Really who does that? Most people directing the calls would just pass the buck, but not at this company). You really fell that they want this to work well and for the customer to have the best experience possible. (Well mission accomplished a thousand times over.) This shows what kind of company SilverSport is. They are 100% dedicated to the customer experience and quality of product and not to advertisement or making a buck. If that sound corny it’s because company’s today could careless about the customer once they have your money and customers have accepted this as the norm. Another amazing thing is that at no time in my million calls did anyone recommend that I purchase anything additional from SilverSport to resolve the issue nor did anyone pass the buck.
I’m not knocking American PowerTrain. I’m sure they are a fantastic company. I just found the attention to detail, support, quality of product, dedication, and customer experience from SilverSport Transmission to be second to none.
Thank you SilverSport Transmissions PLEASE DON’T CHANGE!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Good to hear, too many are quick to blame the mfr due to install error
Fwiw McCleod makes a 5 spd muncie sized for others (this question gets asked a lot)
It is a different shiting experience...not an easy powershift like the muncie but much more precise...youll never go back.
Same with the shorter pedal throw I actually like it.
Fwiw McCleod makes a 5 spd muncie sized for others (this question gets asked a lot)
It is a different shiting experience...not an easy powershift like the muncie but much more precise...youll never go back.
Same with the shorter pedal throw I actually like it.
Last edited by cv67; Sep 30, 2019 at 11:48 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 1,174
From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Hello Rodney, ,, awesome right-up,, i agree with you 100%, SST treated me as well also,,, i have been recommending them to anyone intrested in doing the up-grade,,,, I totally love my 5spd C3, best money spent so far,,and really easy to do, ,,, ,enjoy yours to the full,,
I'll be changing out the brake-in oil next wk, then can really see how it preforms!
Thanks for sharing your experience, ,
teddy
I'll be changing out the brake-in oil next wk, then can really see how it preforms!
Thanks for sharing your experience, ,
teddy
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 502
Likes: 103
From: Reno Nevada
Same here, SST is fantastic. When I ordered mine, I had inadvertently ordered the wrong flywheel (completely my fault). I noticed that about a day after they had shipped everything. I called SST about the issue and they did not hesitate. They actually had UPS reroute the flywheel package back to them before it got to my house and simultaneously they shipped the correct flywheel no questions asked. Had it one day after the remainder of the shipment. I have NEVER had such good customer service from a company. I will never go anywhere else.
