Any one using Gear Vendors overdrive?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Virginia
Any one using Gear Vendors overdrive?
I am installing a "big" big block in a 69 with a 4-11 rear, It is a factory four speed but I want overdrive for the highway, I know most guys here are going for the Keisler unit, But I was talking to Gear Vendors and they make a unit for the Muncie That will give me a fifth gear at the push of a button for about a thousand less than a Keisler unit. Up side I keep the Muncie, downside crossmember cutting and fab. work, and custom driveshaft. Good for racing applications with very high torque numbers. automatic guys get eight forward gears! Anybody have any experience with their hardware or should I go with Keisler?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
For the extra money you get a new transmission and a bigger overdrive. I considered this unit also but went with the Keisler trans and would not go back to the Muncie. I think the GV is a .82 OD and the Keisler is a .68 or the 600 is a .64. With 4.11 gears the 600 unit with a .64 is a great choice. I know someone who just put this in with 4.11 gears and is very happy with it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
There was someone over in Arkansas that did this to his vette. Can't remember who it was. A search may turn it up. Anyway, he told me he liked the unit but had to make many, many mods to make it fit.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 29,745
Likes: 3
From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Will the OD unit fit in the car? I talked with them at SEMA about doing a unit on a 1979 with a turbo 400 and they said you would have to cut the floor plan, move some stuff around and re-glass the floor. According to them, it was a lot easier than just replacing the crossmember and installing a 700R4.
If my car was a 4 speed manual, I would go with the Keisler unit as well, and keep the 4 speed under wrap in the in the corner of the garage.
If my car was a 4 speed manual, I would go with the Keisler unit as well, and keep the 4 speed under wrap in the in the corner of the garage.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by Strictly Gm
I am installing a "big" big block in a 69 with a 4-11 rear, It is a factory four speed but I want overdrive for the highway, I know most guys here are going for the Keisler unit, But I was talking to Gear Vendors and they make a unit for the Muncie That will give me a fifth gear at the push of a button for about a thousand less than a Keisler unit. Up side I keep the Muncie, downside crossmember cutting and fab. work, and custom driveshaft. Good for racing applications with very high torque numbers. automatic guys get eight forward gears! Anybody have any experience with their hardware or should I go with Keisler?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
The $2500 price tag was a little too much if you ask me. One bonus of it which no on has discussed is they can give you an "underrdrive" also. I read about how they put one in a chevy truck or something. The OD can be switched in and out for every gear so you really end up with an 8 speed if you start with a 4 speed. The two gears on the GV "baby powerglide" can be lower and higher meaning you can get out of the whole easier but also have an OD at the top end. Of course if you are switching that puppy and changing gears you will be a very busy boy!
I think the concept is neat but for the money if I wanted the OD I would go with a 5 or 6 speed box or a OD autmatic.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
Likes: 1
From: NC,USA
Originally Posted by Fevre
Believe motion installed a hone overdrive unit in some of their 4 speeds.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,563
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by Strictly Gm
I am installing a "big" big block in a 69 with a 4-11 rear, It is a factory four speed but I want overdrive for the highway, I know most guys here are going for the Keisler unit, But I was talking to Gear Vendors and they make a unit for the Muncie That will give me a fifth gear at the push of a button for about a thousand less than a Keisler unit. Up side I keep the Muncie, downside crossmember cutting and fab. work, and custom driveshaft. Good for racing applications with very high torque numbers. automatic guys get eight forward gears! Anybody have any experience with their hardware or should I go with Keisler?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
You can get a Richmond close ratio 6 speed with 3 choices of overdrive- for a lot less than the Kiesler setup.
Can you supply more info on this, pls. ?
I am strongly thinking about a overdrive manual gearbox and don't mind working a bit harder to install it in regards to the Keisler kit.
I have a 427 CI BB with 3.70 rear end.
Rgds. Gunther
You can get a Richmond close ratio 6 speed with 3 choices of overdrive- for a lot less than the Kiesler setup.
Can you supply more info on this, pls. ?
I am strongly thinking about a overdrive manual gearbox and don't mind working a bit harder to install it in regards to the Keisler kit.
I have a 427 CI BB with 3.70 rear end.
Rgds. Gunther
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
Originally Posted by MassVette
You can get a Richmond close ratio 6 speed with 3 choices of overdrive- for a lot less than the Kiesler setup. Plus, it's the same overall length, same driveshaft, same input shaft, same bellhousing flange, and the shifter comes up in the same place. I've had one in my 79 with a ZZ/502 for 4 years- without any incident whatsoever. Great transmission, IMHO!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Now that Keisler is in the Corvette Trans swap out business it will be intresting to see what happens to pricing. Richmond has in my mind hosed Corvette owners since they came out with their swap out unit for the 4+3 C4 owners it is basicly the same unit as the ones the make for other applications just about a 1,000.00 more for the special tailshaft for ther C4 application. Keisler's price comes in about the same range. I have heard both pluses and minuses about the ROD 6 speed some say they love them others can't wait to pull them and go back to what they had. I have a C4 that I want a 6 speed for and I'm going to sit back and watch what happens to pricing in about a year. The Keisler sure looks slick. (just my .02 worth)
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Evans GA
Originally Posted by BSeery
Will the OD unit fit in the car? I talked with them at SEMA about doing a unit on a 1979 with a turbo 400 and they said you would have to cut the floor plan, move some stuff around and re-glass the floor. According to them, it was a lot easier than just replacing the crossmember and installing a 700R4.
I was planning on installing one in my Maco... before I ran out of budgeted money for this years' round of modifications... maybe next year.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,563
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by Chris Johnson
I've seen the ROD at Summit and Jegs for about $3000. Is there a better source? I had read abouth the ROD before on the forum, but can't find those old threads because of the search problems.
