View Poll Results: Trans selection
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll
Keep or dump a 4+3
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
What are your engine goals? Some companies offer a rebuild/upgrade for the 4+3 that should make it very reliable for a stock/mild performance motor as long as you keep an eye on the fluid levels. My stock 4+3 was working great when I took it out at 90,000 miles and it was an 85 that is weaker than later models.
I went with the TKO 600 when I upgraded my motor because it had a higher hp/torque rating (650 hp/600 ft-lb) from the manufacturer than the Zf or Richmond.
I went with the TKO 600 when I upgraded my motor because it had a higher hp/torque rating (650 hp/600 ft-lb) from the manufacturer than the Zf or Richmond.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: Amarillo Tx
For a Keisler swap for a manual to manual car, shouldn't be over $3000. I was quoted a little over $3000 for their auto to manual kit, and I'm in about $800.00 in for the periphials like bell housing, clutch components, pedals, tqe arm and console plate. And, I plan on recouping some of that by selling my 700R4. And, I also agree, this might b a bit much for someone that bought an auto, used up beater for $3-5000, for those of us that have put alot more than that into their cars, it's worth the effort.
Also for those that have a 6 spd, how often do they really use 6th gear? 5 spd is better for an all around street car. JMHO
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,017
Likes: 634
St. Jude Donor '10
No, thats the transmission as stated. Slave and Master can be had for <$200 brand new. Bellhousing, I haven't priced.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
So in the end, its about 2k... 
My hesitation with the ZF6 is the rebuild price, heavy DM flywheel and also there was a while there where you could not get a working slave cylinder if your life depended on it (even the Mcleods were failing frequently.) I don't know what the current status is on that situation.
As for the questioning the use of 6th gear. It depends on your gearing. If you run 4.10s that 6th gear could be very useful.
My hesitation with the ZF6 is the rebuild price, heavy DM flywheel and also there was a while there where you could not get a working slave cylinder if your life depended on it (even the Mcleods were failing frequently.) I don't know what the current status is on that situation.
As for the questioning the use of 6th gear. It depends on your gearing. If you run 4.10s that 6th gear could be very useful.
Last edited by USAsOnlyWay; Apr 15, 2010 at 05:47 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
As long as you use it for only a reduction in cruise RPM like on the freeway or on boulevards, it should last a long time. Beat on it and it may fight back.....
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
http://members.cisdi.com/~anesthes/f-car-t5/
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Anther item to consider, is that my Keilser quote states
TRG-ERC5009A, KEISLER 650HP/650FT-LB 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION
ASSEMBLY, INCL: KEISLER CUSTOM BUILT TKO-600 WITH LOW PROFILE
INTERNAL OFFSET SHIFTER, MINI-BILLET SHIFT TOWER WITH SPECIAL
2-BOLT LEVER, 4616 CHROMOLOY GEAR SET, 1PC COUNTER SHAFT,
DUAL SPEEDO OUTPUTS, REVERSE & NEUTRAL SWITCH OUTPUTS, 99LB
WEIGHT, RATIOS: 2.87, 1.98, 1.34, 1.0, 0.64
I was told bt more than one persona, that it takes more than 650/650 to break these trannis.
TRG-ERC5009A, KEISLER 650HP/650FT-LB 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION
ASSEMBLY, INCL: KEISLER CUSTOM BUILT TKO-600 WITH LOW PROFILE
INTERNAL OFFSET SHIFTER, MINI-BILLET SHIFT TOWER WITH SPECIAL
2-BOLT LEVER, 4616 CHROMOLOY GEAR SET, 1PC COUNTER SHAFT,
DUAL SPEEDO OUTPUTS, REVERSE & NEUTRAL SWITCH OUTPUTS, 99LB
WEIGHT, RATIOS: 2.87, 1.98, 1.34, 1.0, 0.64
I was told bt more than one persona, that it takes more than 650/650 to break these trannis.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
I agree with this. If it is a stock car with a working 4+3, I wouldn't change it, but if the 4+3 has problems I think the T5 is the way to go. A somewhat worn C4 with a 4+3 is what, a $4-6K car? to put another $3-4k into it for a transmission doesn't make sense to me. I realize the T5 doesn't have the strength that the others do, but for minimal money, you can get the car back on the road with an easily serviced, easy to swap over transmission.
http://members.cisdi.com/~anesthes/f-car-t5/
http://members.cisdi.com/~anesthes/f-car-t5/
Bob
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
87bob, please keep us posted or even better do a follow up thread detailing your completion of the T5 swap.
My hesitation, and I have seen it on and my friend's stock 5.0 that blew up two T5s, is making sure you get one in good condition, perhaps a WCT5 (I think that is what the stronger ones were called) or a built T5. They have a bit of a rep, though variable depending on who you talk to, about not being the stoutest of trannies.
My hesitation, and I have seen it on and my friend's stock 5.0 that blew up two T5s, is making sure you get one in good condition, perhaps a WCT5 (I think that is what the stronger ones were called) or a built T5. They have a bit of a rep, though variable depending on who you talk to, about not being the stoutest of trannies.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Your response made the difference. The points you made about the cost of a swap and the total value of the car drew an line in the sand that made it foolsih to cross. I'm not going to race it so why bother. What I will do it to build the circutry to lock it out when I want just 4 a speed and make it kick out when in first/Second/third gears. Right now I have many other issues to solve. Thanks to who participanted in the discussion and the poll.
Bob
Bob
1). put a T5 in there cause it is cheap
2). Circuitry to lock in and out the O/D.
If you wish to put a T5, you won't need any thing other than a shifter.
If you wish to modify the O/D to work only when you flip a switch in any gear or condition, there is a write up for that as well.
Can you clarify what you want for the confused ones? mainly me....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Just remove the ECM control wire to the O/d relay and manually switch relay.
Full on demand control of O/d .
Just have to manually disengage because it will no longer kick down .If you leave the 1st gear switch in place you won't accidently engage O/d in 1st
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Springfield Illinois
I would keep it. Why is everybody always hacking up these beautiful C4's? I think it is a shame to do that to a car that was designed with that trans. It is part of the c4 corvette, one more reason of its uniqueness. By a LT-1 camaro if you want a 6 speed. they don't cost much more or even the same price as a 6 speed tranny and all the bs to switch it over.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 534
I've read the stories of old Fuel Injection setups off old Fuelies being used as doorstops in Chevy dealers back in the day. People would just throw on a carb and be done with it. Look what that "junk" stuff brings for value now. Doubt the 4+3 will ever see that much enthusiasm but it's for sure a unique option in Corvette's history.
