mark,vietnamvette posted this on the c1/2 section looks like a nice kit for a 5 speed setup. http://www.keislerauto.com/Corvette_5Speed.htm

 

nice but VERY pricey. You can get a D&D viper spec T-56 tranny with adapter plate for almost $1000 less.

 

Looks nice but look at the price. The transmission is a tremec and costs about $1800. YOu are payiing alot for the extra frills. For about $2000 you can do it yourself with the same transmission and have the extra $800 left over. For that money you could install the 6 speed.

 

I want to know how they get the trans in there. They say there is no frame cutting required just a custom mount. Everybody who has done the Tremec has had to cut the 4 speed frame. :confused:

 

Gordon, I am gonna use a special bracket from bowtie overdrives thats similiar to our bracket that bolts the crossmember...probably different moutning holes or height....its meant for a 700R but works great with the Tremec. I know GrandsportC3 and others have used this bracket.....dont know if keislers is using this one or their own, but thats how I plan on doing it w/o cutting the crossmember. :seeya

 

I used the Bowtie overdrive bracket.. I heared that there was only one of those brackets left.. They might have sold it already...




[Modified by GrandSportC3, 10:52 PM 4/2/2003]

 

where would I look for 6 speed info? And will kits like this work to transform an automatic to a manual as well? *tranny newbie*

 

I bought that last one...so hahahhaha
j/k i ordered the last one but they copied it and are making more...just call to see if its still available, but they told me they were gonna make more.

 

Ummmm can it be installed without cutting the x-member if you use this bracket. I bought the one before you (when there were only 2 left) and I am starting the work this weekend - that means if it can be done without cutting I need to know.

However lifting the motor off the mounts is not a viable option for me - I like to be able to do clutch work without that much headache.

 

Do NOT for one minute think that the Viper spec T56 from D&D is a "drop-in." More mods need to be performed than you really think! My suggestion? A Richmond ROD six-speed... And trust me, I KNOW, I just finished a D&D Viper T56 conversion in a 1980 model! PITA!!! And I have very considerable fabrication skills!
-Jeb

 

fauxrs...the only way to use this bracket is to move the motor foward....this is what I have heard anyway.....if you try to do it w/o moving the motor up, please let me know if it works or what you had to do.. id appreciate it
but I am planning on moving my motor up since ill have the headers out along with the starter, clutch rods, etc. so itll be easy for me.
Chris

 

Looking at Forte's, the TKO goes for $1995. After you consider the yolk, u-joints, speedo mount & gear, driveshaft, etc that kit starts looking good. Especially if it comes with a shifter and it can really be swapped in 5-7 hours.

I'm still a far ways away from an OD tranny, but I'd have to consider both sides long and hard before I'd make up my mind which way to go.

 

jburnett, Is the Richmond 6 spd a bolt in? Or just less work then a T-56? How much is it?
Thanks...

 

Richmond offers "essentially" a bolt-in 6spd for the C3 vettes...I say "essentially" because anytime you undertake a project of this magnitude there WILL be some modifications that will have to be performed. I've done two ROD swaps in C3's; the majority of the fabrication work involved the crossmember. One of the cars was an auto and I simply lightly modified the crossmember so it would work with the 6spd...The second car was a stick and as such had a non-removable cross-member. I cut it and built a removable center section for it...I think that Richmond or another company actually offers this center-section now that can be grafted in. I built this one. But, everything else on the Richmond is SIMPLE...As stated it uses external shift linkage that's in the same location as the factory 4 gear's so no shift mods were performed. It's really a simple piece. They are considerably more expensive than the T56's though...A ROD will run you about $3200.00. But, unless you get a kickass screaming deal on a T56 you'll quickly get up to that price with it! A "budget" T56 swap would probably involve a GM F-body T56 with its bellhousing; this can be grafted into a C3 fairly easily. You will have to adapt the hydraulic clutch assembly to the vehicle which is not a great problem...Then you'll just have to deal with the other factors I've already mentioned. The T56 conversion I'm working on right now is the D&D Viper one that has the GM adapter plate to bolt it to a standard T10 bellhousing...I chose to retain a factory mechanical clutch linkage system, but probably could've easily done the hyd. setup...
-Jeb Burnett

 

I did some price estimations late last year on the d&d t56 and it came up to ~$3k. That is really not a bad price for that kit unless you can get a used tranny and fab the needed mounts and whatevers yourself. The fab stuff is prolly out of reach for most folks, myself included. I just don't have the tools or the facilities for that kinda stuff. I bookmarked that site, I will definitely be thinkin bout this.

Brett :thumbs:


[Modified by Brettmc, 1:03 PM 4/3/2003]

 

I can say without a doubt that the D&D T56 conversion will cost you more than $3k when all is said and done. Mind you they don't have a "conversion" kit for installing this tranny in a C3 Vette; simply a "conversion" that allows you to install it in an older GM vehicle; as in the adapter plate that allows you to bolt it to a factory bellhousing and a new tailhousing that is a replicant of the GM 4spd tailhousing. It does take some fabrication skills... I would probably charge somewhere between $1700 and $2200 to perform this swap; that includes building the crossmember and building a custom shifter on a customer supplied shifter base. Now that I have one of the Viper spec T56 swaps under my belt I can pretty much light the way fairly well...
-Jeb

 

This may not be a bad deal! I may be able to install this one myself, just buying a GM modified TKO would still require some welding skills that I don't have. This kit includes the drive shaft and they have somehow moved the shifter over where it needs to be. They also appear to sell the "T" shifter that mid america sells.
I just called to get some more details and I am waiting to hear back.



~Jay


[Modified by Jay M, 11:26 AM 4/3/2003]

 

I Just got off the phone with Mark Kiesler, the manufacturer of the kit. He was very nice and helpful and explained some of the kit to me.

First of all they make some changes to the transmission

His kit comes with everything down to the nuts and bolts required. Sure you can buy the trans cheaper elsewhere and probably install it yourself with some small amount of swearing and fabrication. In this case you are paying for the fabrication and swearing instead of having to do both yourself.

plus obviously they deserve a little green-meal for taking care of it for you. He assured me that with their kit it is a straightforward trans swap - no different than if you were putting a muncie in instead of your ST10.

If I'd known about this kit in December I probably would have gone this route - instead - I'll go ahead and do my own swearing and fabrication :lol:


[Modified by fauxrs, 2:14 PM 4/8/2003]

 

Well I just ordered one! I talked to Mark Keisler and this seems like a great kit that truly is a bolt-on. They machined the tail shaft to remove some unnesscesary bulk so it will fit without removeing the crossmember. They also modified the shifter so that it is offset and low enough for the proper location in our cars. They also include a "T" handle that looks indentical to the muncie handle.

I told Mark to post here to explain better what they acctually do in case I'm not communicating it properly.

In 3 or 4 weeks I should be able to give first hand experience on how it installs:)

~Jay

 

:lol:
That could be a good mato for a shop-
"Leave the sweraring to us" or
"We swear so you won't have to"