Hello, I've followed the Team Camaro forums for a while now, but have never needed to post, till now.

I recently started the disassembly of my '69 convertible will be replacing the powerglide with a 5 speed. The engine is a 383 dynoed at 445 hp and 492 lb-ft of torque.

My question is, who makes the best complete kit for this conversion ... Classic Chevy 5-speed, Keisler, JAM (5speedtransmissions.com), or someone else? The car is being built for mostly street driving with an occasional run down the 1/4 mile. What I really want is one kit that has everything included, no "fabrication" or "additional parts needed".

I see Classic Chevy 5-speed currently has free shipping, that's definitely a plus because my budget is not unlimited.

Any suggestions you can make will be appreciated.

CC5 hands down is the best from what I've seen and read around here.

I bought both of a 500 and 600 from JAM, but with the site support we have here, I would use CC5. Sorry Mike, you got all the Chevelle guys.

I chose the CC5 also and I wouldn't use anybody else.I dont bash vendors on this site but I have had dealings with one of the other vendors you mentioned and I will tell you the whole smear if you want to PM me

CC5 has customer service that is top notch.

Clasic Chevy 5 Speed is the way to go. My wife bought a kit from them for me two years ago and they were great! They treated her very well and with lots of respect. Call CC5S and never look back.

Thanks a lot guys for the support.
djbartu-
We hope to earn your business and would welcome you to the CC5S family. Feel frre to call me personally if you have any questions.
Please note that our free shipping deal will end this Friday.

I was planning on going with a the CC5 speed myself (until I was backed into a corner and had to go with a TH400). I had spoken to Jeff on several occasions and he was straight with me and very helpful. If/when I do my next car - I would call Jeff at Classic Chevy 5-speed and order one in a heartbeat.

My wife bought a kit from them for me two years ago and they were great!

Your wife bought you a 5-speed???? All I got for Christmas was a tie.

Thanks for the input, I'll call Classic Chevy today!

Thanks for the input, I'll call Classic Chevy today!

Smart move :cool:

All their guys are great. I had previously never even installed a clutch, let alone, a transmission. GMJim (of CC5) guided me through it when I had questions (and I had lots of them :)), and was even available to speak with via phone on Sat & Sun when I was doing it! He adeptly talked me through "issues" while keeping in mind my level of skill, and was always respectful and professional. As a lifelong customer service professional myself, I cannot say enough good things about my experience with these folks.

After talking with several sources, I learned of a few minor differences in the tranny and kits which Jeff is more than capable of explaining well. My analysis is that they all provide an excellent product but you can't put a price on the customer support aspect which, if you haven't installed one of these before, is what you will be relying on throughout the process of installing - even more important if going from auto to 5spd. I did not buy my TKO600 kit from CC5 but if I had to do it over again would probably have benefited more from their customer support vs. the co. that I went with. In the end, the install came out very well and I couldn't be happier with the Tremec and kit but I imagine I would have saved myself at least 10 hours or more of frustration and had the job completed a week earlier had I been provided the proper parts and support from the beginning vs. having to convince them that they supplied incorrect parts with their kit. In the end, they did the right thing but felt like I was run through the ringer in the process and actually taught them a thing or two about their kit and install procedures.

Ordered! I called Classic Chevy 5 Speed and they were very helpful.
Next is the rear axle ... any suggestions?
Below is a picture of the progress. I hope to be up and running this summer.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/djbartu/Photo0339web.jpg

Do your homework on power supply, suspension, determine mini tub? Might get a turn key 12 bolt or 9". Then you can start working on motor and body.