6 speed in 69

[corvette66]

How well do the 89-96 6 speed tranis fit into a C3? I am looking at one right now for my 69. What all would it take? are they longer? does the shifter fit right?
ETC.
Anyone done this?? any help would be awesome.
thanx, dan

 

[corvette66]

oh by the way, i know they have a weird tail shaft mount. I can fabricate whatever is needed.

 

[Peer81]

I only know someone who has build a ZF6 in his 82 and it doesn't fit even close! I always wanted a ZF in my vette but after seeing the mods, no thanks! Even the floorpan next to the gaspedal has to be changed for the clutch fluid "something". So be sure it is possible before you buy it

Groeten Peter

 

[Hib Halverson]

To my knowlege, ZFs in C3s are very rare because of all the modification needed to install it. You're really going to cut the car up to get it in there.

There are other choices that don't require near as much modification.

I have a Richmond six-speed in my 71 and it went in pretty easy.

 

[corvette66]

hmmm bummer! I like the richmond stuff, I have a richmond 4 speed now, but the 6 speeds are a bit expensive.

I'm thinking maybe if i run a hydraulic throughout bearing (which I am now) I may not need to cut the floor. The driveshaft could be shortened no problem, and I could build the mounts just fine. But Really what I am worried about is the shifter location, I can't alter the interior. know what i mean....

hmmmmmmmm

 

[Crimson Thunder]

A C3 with a ZF 6 speed the shifter handle will come out somewhere near the parking brake.If you just have to have that 6 speed you are stuck with the Richmond or the T-56 offered by Keisler(and others).

 

[corvette66]

man, thats a real bummer
well guess I won't be doing that hahaha
thanx guys

 

[Peer81]

If you really want a 6 speed, beware of the difference between the T56 and the Richmond! The T56 has 2 overdrives 5 and 6 (like all modern 6 speeds) and the Richmond only has 1 overdrive (like a normal 5 speed) So with a Richmond you get an extra gear between 1st en 4th and the question is, do you really need it? On the other hand, do you really need the extra overdriven gear (6th) on the 6 speed. If you have the change to hit 100mph often then IMO 6th gear is nice but for normal road legal use a normale 5 speed gearbox is enough.

Groeten Peter

 

[Crimson Thunder]

I agree with Peter,although the thought of a T-56 with 4.10 gears sounds like a fun combo,i just can't see spending the extra money(and the weight penalty)over a 5 speed TKO.

 

[corvette66]

"On the other hand, do you really need the extra overdriven gear (6th) on the 6 speed. If you have the change to hit 100mph often then IMO 6th gear is nice but for normal road legal use a normale 5 speed gearbox is enough."

The five speed would probbaly work out nice also. Considering its $1000 cheaper. I travel between tucson and phoenix often and would like to take the vette sometimes. Anyone who has made this trip knows....If you aren't doing 85mph your getting passed. So I prolly won't be do'n 100 ofetn but do have the opportunity. I used to race circle track a few years back; naturally when I quit racing the motor went into the vette. I ran the engine at about 8,700 RPM roughly 500-550 HP. She'll do 100 no problem :L

what kind of bell housing do you need with these? The front of the tranis look a lot bigger than the front of the T-10 type. Do the same bell housings work?

 

[Crimson Thunder]

If you buy the kit i believe it comes with every thing you need to do the swap.Check out www.keislerauto.com

 

[corvette66]

Thoes are nice kits. I think I have been to thier website before. The complete kit is nice.

The situation I have is; I have a Quarter Master light weight racing flywheel and triple disk clutch pack. It's only about 5 inches in diameter and the flywheel is about 7 inches. Along with a reverse mount starter bellhousing.
If I was to use a different bell housing I would have to use a standard size flywheel and starter so that the starter would be able to reach.

Can't have everyhting I guess. what a head ache.

 

[Hib Halverson]

hmmm bummer! I like the richmond stuff, I have a richmond 4 speed now, but the 6 speeds are a bit expensive.

I'm thinking maybe if i run a hydraulic throughout bearing (which I am now) I may not need to cut the floor. The driveshaft could be shortened no problem, and I could build the mounts just fine. But Really what I am worried about is the shifter location, I can't alter the interior. know what i mean....

hmmmmmmmm

You might look at a compromise...a five-speed. Classic Chevy Five-Speed sells a bolt in conversion using a TREMEC 5-spd for C2s and they may have the same deal for C3.

 

[MassVette]

Richmond now makes a 5 speed overdrive.
I've got a 6 speed ROD in my C-3. Been in for 7 years without incident- coupled to a ZZ/502.
There are many fine transmissions available out there, but the Richmonds are the only ones with the same input shaft, same bellhousing pattern, same transmission length, same output shaft (TH400 or Super T-10 spline), same hole for shifter and same driveshaft. All the other trans swaps require extensive refit and/or modifications.
Plus the ROD 6 has many gearsets and o/d ratios available. The Richmond 5 speed O/D is new to the market, and probably is the 'best bang for the buck' out there.
Just my 2c.

 

[minifridge1138]

It seems to me that having 2 overdrives would be ideal. Upgrade the rear end to something crazy high (5.1 perhaps) and you'd be good to go.

1st would be pretty much useless for anything but spinning tires, but with the 2nd overdrive you may be around 2k rpm at 65 mph. (impossible to know for sure without knowing the gear ratios of all 6 gears).

Seems like the best of both worlds to me.

 

[MassVette]

Boy - Tremec sure has the 'Buzz' thing going.
A friend paid over 4k for the Kiesler Tremec 5 kit (new bellhousing, new driveshaft, etc, etc.) for his 69 427 roadster.
Problem #1- the trans has to be installed with the bellhousing! PITA.
Problem #2- the trans needs the offset belhousing pins- fit is crucial.
Problem #3- the trans was defective! After removing the entire setup for the 3rd time, he sent it to Kiesler, where it evidently sat in the corner for months.
Finally, after being without his car for most of the season, he called Kiesler. The answer: "Oh, did you send us a transmission"? ad

The setup works OK now, but it's big$$$ and PITA install, with shoddy customer service.
I've got another gear, closer ratios, stock GM dimensions, and almost 2k in my pocket compared to him.
But he just HAD to have the Tremec"hot setup"- Hecho in Mexico. :L