Richmond vs. Keisler
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
Richmond vs. Keisler
I have decided that while I'm at replaceing everything in my engine bay, its time to replace my 4+3 speed. I had originaly wanted to just rebuild the 4+3, but for the amount of money it would cost I might as well step up to a better tranny. I have always wanted to put the Richmond in. Now I'm hearing about the Keisler tko 500 and 600. I would like to have the car finish in 1 month.
If you had both trannys in your garage, which would you install? Anyone know the delivery time on the Keisler?
Thanks
Ray
If you had both trannys in your garage, which would you install? Anyone know the delivery time on the Keisler?
Thanks
Ray
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 46
From: Elizabeth City, NC
If I had both trannys sitting in the garage, I would go with the Keisler for sure. They use better trannys any way you look at it. I hear they are a bit slow on the shiping though. At least thats what has been posted here, maybe they are up to speed now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 26
From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
I have the Richmond and generally, it seems very strong, but the shifting is bit jerky (not as smooth as I would expect) and the throw is long, especially for an aftermarket tranny.
You can choose gearing with either one, MAKE SURE you take advantage of this. If your raising the RPM range of the motor go with steeper gearing, you won't have to touch your rear gears then.
The Keisler for the C4 is a newer design and more than likely a better design.
You can choose gearing with either one, MAKE SURE you take advantage of this. If your raising the RPM range of the motor go with steeper gearing, you won't have to touch your rear gears then.
The Keisler for the C4 is a newer design and more than likely a better design.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by RainDelay
I have the Richmond and generally, it seems very strong, but the shifting is bit jerky (not as smooth as I would expect) and the throw is long, especially for an aftermarket tranny.
You can choose gearing with either one, MAKE SURE you take advantage of this. If your raising the RPM range of the motor go with steeper gearing, you won't have to touch your rear gears then.
The Keisler for the C4 is a newer design and more than likely a better design.
You can choose gearing with either one, MAKE SURE you take advantage of this. If your raising the RPM range of the motor go with steeper gearing, you won't have to touch your rear gears then.
The Keisler for the C4 is a newer design and more than likely a better design.
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg Maryland
The word is that the Keisler is smoother shifting, but the Richmond is stronger. How are you going to use the car. In daily driving, the Keisler would be more user friendly. How high are you going to build the engine? Is it going to be high horsepower? They are really nice guys, but Keisler is really swamped with orders, and inquiries. Three years ago, they helped me put a 5 speed behind a turbocharged Mopar slant six. They were prompt, helpful, and shipped quickly. Last year I investigated putting a 5 speed behind my 360 Dart 4 spd, and it took them several weeks to answer my e-mail. It will be interesting to see if they have caught up yet. Keisler has gotten alot fo publicity lately with articles in the press, and I don;t think they were ready for the barrage of responses that has come there way.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
The motor is an all forged 383, 219, superram, warmed over 200cc protopline alum. heads, and a 150-300 hp direct port setup. I've never drived a car with this much power NA, so I don't know if or when I'll be hitting the gas. The tko has a higher advertised torque rating than the Richmond, but take that for what its worth.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 534
Likes: 2
From: Cookeville TN
The TKO IS Definitely Stronger than the Richmond! 6-8 weeks delivery.
Hello All -
We have sold several hundred of the new TK0 500 and 600 kits and have found them to be practically bullet proof, and we have customers running them in Supercharged, Big Block, Hemi Mopar drag cars!
At present we're about 6-8 weeks out on TKO kit deliveries, but they are truly worth the wait.
Also remember our 6 speed kit goes into production soon. I've driven an '87 with our 5 speed and then later with our 6 speed. You really couldn't ask for two sweeter trannies.
Robert Hall - Keisler Sales
423-773-9789 Direct
865-609-8187
We have sold several hundred of the new TK0 500 and 600 kits and have found them to be practically bullet proof, and we have customers running them in Supercharged, Big Block, Hemi Mopar drag cars!
At present we're about 6-8 weeks out on TKO kit deliveries, but they are truly worth the wait.
Also remember our 6 speed kit goes into production soon. I've driven an '87 with our 5 speed and then later with our 6 speed. You really couldn't ask for two sweeter trannies.
Robert Hall - Keisler Sales
423-773-9789 Direct
865-609-8187
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Mr Hall, is the six speed going to have double overdrive like the ZF's have or will it be like the Richmond that has 1:1 for 5th gear and only one overdrive?
Not that I need one, but I thought I'd ask.
Not that I need one, but I thought I'd ask.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 534
Likes: 2
From: Cookeville TN
6 Speed
We have had a 6 speed for C3 for a year or two, but have not released the C4 kit for sale yet.
The C4 6 speed will have 2 o/d gears.
We already have our C4 6 speed test car back in the owner's hands, and I'll see if I can get a product launch date for you in the next few days.
Robert Hall - Keisler Engineering sales
Direct Line 423-773-9789
Main number 865-609-8187 ext 280
1966 327/300 Factory A/C
Keisler 5 Speed Vette #001 !
The C4 6 speed will have 2 o/d gears.
We already have our C4 6 speed test car back in the owner's hands, and I'll see if I can get a product launch date for you in the next few days.
Robert Hall - Keisler Engineering sales
Direct Line 423-773-9789
Main number 865-609-8187 ext 280
1966 327/300 Factory A/C
Keisler 5 Speed Vette #001 !
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
I'm still curious what turned you off from rebuilding the 4+3...
Parts cost? Labor cost? (How much $$?) Are you rebuilding both units, (do they both need rebuilding?)
Parts cost? Labor cost? (How much $$?) Are you rebuilding both units, (do they both need rebuilding?)
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
This thread is probably worth a read if you haven't already...
I'm still making my way through it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...20&forum_id=48
I'm still making my way through it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...20&forum_id=48
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
I'm still curious what turned you off from rebuilding the 4+3...
Parts cost? Labor cost? (How much $$?) Are you rebuilding both units, (do they both need rebuilding?)
Parts cost? Labor cost? (How much $$?) Are you rebuilding both units, (do they both need rebuilding?)
