Keisler Automotive 5-spd

[Chris Kennedy]

At some point in the future I have thought about replacing my Richmond Gear 4-spd in my '81 with the 5 spd. overdrive sold by Kiesler Automotive (I think that's the correct name of the company). I go long distances in the car at high speed and like the overdrive feature (Richmond Gear should offer this in their 5 spd.; they do in their 6-spd but that is overkill). I have looked at their website, and it appears to me that this is a complete kit---BUT, has anyone actually bought and installed one of these? Are there any modifications/fabrications that need to be made, or is the kit complete and a mere "bolt in" assembly?

Thanks,

--Chris Kennedy

 

[72Mako]

I don't have one yet, but Shafi strove to make this a direct bolt in. No cutting or fabbing is my understanding. Eddie70 has one. Charles

 

[90 KOTH]

Most say easy swap

There are a bunch of folks that have done the swap and from most accounts, it's a bolt-in, no-mod process for the 4 speed to 5 speed swap. I'm in the middle of an auto to 5 speed swap and it's a bit more involved. The one thing you may have to deal with is the frame cross member. I have a removable cross member but a believe the 4 speed cars are welded in. If so, most folks cut the cross member out and have ears welded on so it then becomes a bolt-in piece. You may be able to get the new tranny in without removing the cross member, but I've heard it's quite a challenge. The other option is to pull the engine, and go at it from that end.

Regards, Phil

 

[BeaterShark]

I have heard of people installing them and did not hear of any real complaints. From what I've read, it requires no fabrication and can be installed with the stock 4-speed crossmember still welded in. But, to do this, the clutch/pp is bolted to the flywheel, then the tranny and bell housing is put into place. The bell housing is bolted up, then the tranny is bolted to the BH. This seems like a real PITA to me, but I havn't actually tried it.

 

[bossvette]

I have a TKO from http://www.fortesparts.com/ in 2000 and I love it, at that time the offset shifter was not availabe and I made a new shift plate. I dont know if I would want to go back as I put a "ripper" in and it shifts like a dream.

over 30,000 miles and no problems.
I pulled the engine and did it that way, I have learned over the years that for me it is easier that way

 

[Ken]

I have heard nothing but good things about the folks at Keisler and the transmission swaps.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Check out this month's (July) issue of Chevy High Performance magazine. They have the first of a 2 part story on the Keisler TKO and T56 kits for Chevys and Corvettes. Interesting article with some good tables and charts on ratios, power and gas savings. The Corvette kits put the shift lever in the correct position and even have levers that look like the original. Only you know it's a 5 or 6 speed.

Tom

 

[78 L82 4spd]

What does this Kiesler unit cost? This sounds intriuging! With a 3.70 rear-end and 235/60R15, my engine runs at ~3500 rpm at 70 mph. Ouch!


Stephen

 

[Derster]

Chris

I have installed the Keisler 5 speed in my 81. I had to modify my tranny x- member. The x-member is bolted in but the mount they supplied was for a older vette and it would then be as simple as bolting it on. I cut off my original mount and relocated it to fit and welded it back on. Also the parking brake pulley needs to be moved over and rewelded.
They can tell you what year x-member will work if you would prefer not to cut and weld. At the time I called they told me they could supply a complete member but i think it was about two bills.

I installed the trans without removing anything but the old 4-spd and driveshaft. The lookalike shifter locates exactly as original and nobody would know.

With my 355's out back it turns 2250 @70 mph in 5th gear. A really nice cruise speed without having to hear my engine screaming at me on the express ways.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Thanks, everyone, for your responses.

--Chris Kennedy

 

[78 L82 4spd]

Does anyone have a website or phone # for Kiesler?


Thanks!

Stephen

 

[bossvette]

Not kiesler, but they are closer to you http://www.fortesparts.com/ I have a TKO in mine from them they are in Burlington Ma.

 

[Ken]

Does anyone have a website or phone # for Kiesler?


Thanks!

Stephen

http://www.keislerauto.com/home.html

 

[Eddie 70]

I do have the Keisler 5 speed in my vette. I am not a mechanic by no means, and for me this was a bolt in affair. My car was a four speed and the crossmember is welded in. The shifter comes through the floor in the exact same location as the stock shifter. The tranny is a little heavier and I had to have my son help me lift it into place. The only extra thing I had to buy was a clutch disc. The muncie was coarse splined and the keisler unit is a 26 spline unit. Thiers comes with a driveshaft that is already cut to length, tranny output yoke, a new tranny mount, new shifter handle, speedo cable, all the bolting hardware, etc. It took me and my son a day to get it in. I already had the old one out. When I got the new tranny in I wound up having to shim the rear of the tranny up about .125 inches to get the pinion angles more in line. This really helped smooth the whole car out.
I don't have the fabrication skills or tools needed to do the regular tremec swap. So for me the Keisler was a no brainer. If you have any questions just shoot me an email or ask me on here.

I understand there is quite a long wait for thier tranny. That is one of the drawbacks if you want it right now. Other wise I am happy with mine. I have 3:36 rear gears and BFG 255/60/15 tires. This is a pic I took while on the interstate. I can run anywhere for extended time now.

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3145&stc=1http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/eddie_96//80mph_2000rpm.jpg

 

[Tom Bryant]

:eek Holy cow! My '65 with 3.36s run 70 at 3000 rpm. Looks like camshaft selection would be something to think about when building an engine for this trans.

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

I just took a look at their web site. It looks pretty good and the complete kit for the vette is around $2900. I don't have that much money to spend right now, but I'm going to add this to my want list. Maybe i can come up with a way to cost the price down in some way so I can do it sooner.


Gary

 

[bossvette]

I had my Vette out today and the RPMs drop from 5000 to 3500 between 1-2 amd 2-3 2000 is 70 in fifth fourth is just like fourth is a 4-speed. And yes I did select a camshaft for low and midrange power; it actully pulls better at low speeds in fifth then it did with the stock L-48 and the 4-speed.

Fortes sells the all series of Tremec and even has the offset shifter now. I don't know what their wait time is but when I did mine in 2000 I had it in 3 days

http://www.fortesparts.com/

 

[78 L82 4spd]

Thanks guys for the contact info for Forte and Keisler.


Stephen

 

[akfox1]

Good support from Keisler.

Just want to add that I installed my Keisler TKO500 kit about 4 weeks ago, and the folks at Keisler are very supportive.

I have a 1969 convertible 4 sp car with a welded-in crossmember. The installation required removal of the starter, my hooker headers, and exhaust system. This is a bolt-in kit. That's not to say it is easy, since it is a VERY TIGHT fit, but the kit is well made. I highly recommend buying the two-piece rear yoke as a $99 option for ease of installation.

I had one problem with clearance to the parking brake pulley, which I attribute to variation among these old cars. The keisler tech rep solved the problem by sending me a custom rear mounting bracket. GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE.

I really like the overdrive and the way it shifts. Very tight and precise. Good combination of the 5 speed with the 3.55 rear end.

 

[WARVET]

Eddie70, Did you have to remove your crossmember, or remove the engine?