Putting a 6 speed in?

[Bender]

Does any one know how much it would be for a 6 speed manual? And if thats way to much what about just a 5 speed?

 

[JonM]

Is this a DIY?...if so give these people a call.

http://www.richmondgear.com

 

[BeaterShark]

Do your research.

Some options are:
ROD 6 speed: approx $3200 for tranny with shifter, fairly easy and a common swap
T56 6 speed: can be found in junkyards, somewhat difficult due to size and a rare swap
Tremec 3550/TKO 5 speed: approx $1600 - $1800 for tranny only, fairly easy and common
T5 5 speed: can be found in junkyards for real cheap, pretty weak, not commonly swapped

First, decide if you really want the 6-speed over the 5-speed. Some 6 speeds will have 2 overdrives (T-56, for example), others only 1 (ROD). All of the 5 speeds I've seen have 1 overdrive. The 6 speeds are almost always signifigantly more expensive than the 5 speeds.
IMHO, 1 OD is plenty. The ROD 6 will give you 5 non-OD gears while just about any other OD tranny will only have 4. This may be important depending on how the car is used.

Other points to consider would be:
ease of installation (ROD6 and Tremec 3550/TKO are probably the easiest)
need to convert to hyd clutch ( ROD 6 and Tremec 3550/TKO don't)
internal vs. external shift linkages (ROD 6=external, 3550/TKO=internal)
tranny gear ratios (especially 1'st) suited for your rear gear ratio
strength of tranny


I don't have an OD tranny, but at one point I was pretty close to going that route. I would have opted for the Tremec 3550. The only thing I didn't like about it was the huge gear ratio differences between 1'st and 2'nd gears.

 

[72Mako]

Chris, you might check out the latest from Keisler. They modify the Tremec 5-speed to fit in our C3's. Their TKO-500 does have a big drop between 1st (3:27) and 2nd (1.97). But they have rectified that and now offer trans with a (2.87) 1st and (1.89) second gear. They also give you the option of either a (0.82) or (0.64) overdrive 5th gear now. Charles

 

[norvalwilhelm]

I swapped a T5 the first time to see how I liked standard before going to the Tremec TKO. I figured 5 gears was enough, the overdrive 5th is what I was really wanting to go with my 4.11 rearend. The tremec TKO is a small strong compact transmission reasonably price, internal shifter . It was no problem to install and didn't require any cutting.
After blowing up 3 700R4's I gave up on the overdrive automatics and the driving fun has gone way up with the Tremec.
For a hydraulic clutch the clutch master cylinder from a 85 one ton truck bolts right up to our stock firewall without any modifications to the mount or the firewall and other then a linkage modification which involves shortening it , it is made for the vet. The bellhousing from a donor car needs the slave cylinder on the side.

 

[Eddie 70]

I installed the Keisler 5 speed in mine back on Halloween. LOL. Anyway the car is now able to keep up on the interstate without just wearing me out. I can cruise all day at just under 80MPH at 2000RPM. I do have the 3:36 rear gear. The keisler kit requires no cutting of your car. It is just a bolt in. You will need a new clutch if yours is not a fine spline. My muncie was a coarse one and is now on the shelf. The shifter comes up in the stock location and looks just like the stock shifter.

I believe the 6 speed conversions require you to cut your cars tranny tunnel in more than one place. Ask questions of the vendor you choose.

 

[1978L48jafo]

I just put a Viper T56 from d&D in this evening. Unfortunately the cross member is not even close. Its 2500.00 but no other adaptors are necessary it even came with a off set shifter to line up with the stock location. Very tight fit.
John

 

[Bender]

The Keisler 5 speed sounds good Thanks every one