OK...now I know that everyone is going to have an opinion on this, and I don't want to upset any of the vendors, but the fact is that 1 TKO is the same as another and it really comes down to Price and Service. So with that said please share any experiences with any of the following:

Keisler
Classic Chevy 5 Speed
5 Speed Transmissions

Now I know that Keisler is having some delivery problems and that's a small concern. I also know that it seems that most are going with Classic Chevy 5 Speed, but it looks like 5 Speed Transmissions are giving the best price.

I would be looking at a whole kit...Tranny, Bell Housing, Clutch, Driveshaft...everything.

So from your collective experience please shed any comments that you may have (in favor or against) for any of the above vendors.

And I would request that the actual vendors, some of who I know frequent the board, please refrain from making any direct comments against anything that is said. I want everyone to feel as open as possible to speak their mind. If you take exception with something please start another topic or email them directly, thanks. I'm not trying to bash any one vendor, I just want to make sure that wherever I choose to spend 3K I know they have a good reputation with the people of this board.

Thanks

JD

I cant speak for the installation, but i can speak for the purchase. I took delivery of my tko 600 this week from Mike Pell(5speeds)and he gave me a great deal, they are very nice people. The trans was packaged nicely. I ordered a crossmember the speedo adapter and reverse switch a hurst shifter handle and 3qts of fluid. I think it was 2170 with shipping, he would have taken 70 or 80 off that if I paid cash. He answers your E-mail questions very quickly and with the exception of the hurst handle being backordered every thing came quickly. He's your guy! Done

Rich

My experience with Classic Chevy 5-speed was very good. I had the TKO600, drive shaft, etc. within a short time (wihtin a week) just as they told me. Very helpful in ordering and on the phone for follow-on questions. I would use them again and don't hesitate to recommend them.

I would have to endorse Classic Chevy 5 speed...

Jeff is a great guy to work with and has been alot of help to me in the last couple of weeks

With that being said, I ordered mine from Forte's.....sorry. Forte made an error on giving me a quote but then honored it anyway. With that and no sales tax (Classic 5 speed is in CA and so am I), the price was just too hard to pass up. My decision was based solely on a "fluke" price I got and not on anything else.

Jeff's customer service rocks and I'm planning a purchase of some other parts from him soon.

Omnipotent-
Thanks for the consideration.
Gold67 & DRJDVM-
Thanks for the kind words guys.

I think we do a pretty good job. As a consumer, I would be comfortable buying from ourselves (of course) and I would also be comfortable with Mike Pell (5 speed transmissions). Mike is a good guy.
Give us a call and give Mike Pell a call and see who you feel most comfortable with. Either way will be a good decision.
You may also want to read here for some helpful information: Important TKO Buying Tips (http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/important_tips_Tremec_Purchase.htm)

Ok I ordered from Keisler before I knew about Jeff completly. Keisler quoted me 6 to 10 weeks and that was 3 weeks ago so I don't know if the tranny will be good or not, only my mechanic will know, and I put him in charge of dealing with Keisler. Getting in contact with them is not good, and Jeff was helpful AFTER he knew that I bought from someone else. That being said I would go with Jeff because of this and when my dad gets his tremmic for his 55 bel air I think we will go with Jeff. I personally don't like not being able to talk with someone when forking over my money. It is my car, and the build up is going to go the way I want it, and it's hard to do this if everybody is not on my page. I believe Jeff is on this page, and I believe Jeff is your guy.

Mike

Got mine from Jeff@Classic. Delivery time was as promised and the kit was exactly what it described. It was cheaper for me to have the driveshaft built locally and more conveinient. All said its been a good deal.

Cris

I bought my first TKO from Mike @ 5 speed transmissions and bought a TKO-600 from Jeff @ classic chevy 5 speeds. Both guys were great to deal with. I do have to give the nood to Jeff as he has followed up with me (even came by the house) much more then any vendor I have delt with. At the time, he was able to make me a deal I couldn't pass up on the 600 which is why I bought it and then sold the NIB TKO.

I have been very happy so far.

That's my .02 worth.

I used Fortes Parts Connection. I know they were not listed as one off your vendors. Mike gives good deals as well. It seems cash is the way to go as it save them the usual fees the credit card companies charge.

I'm ready to buy another one from Fortes to replace the TKO I have now. One word of caution make sure you do not go too deep on rearend gear set. The 600s have two choices for first gear.

The 3.27 first gear option coupled with a 3.73 ring/pinion makes for some very quick 1-2 shifts. No a good combo for any hi-torque engines.

Larryc5,, yes , rpms come up quicker than it takes to shift a lenco. I run tk0500 with 3:73 and being i dont have a buyer for this low mileage ( 500 miles) tremac , i will change rear gear to about 3:40 or 3:50 range

zdld17...how much you wanna sell the tremac for? I assume its the 500.

I had it out on ebay for $1700 with custom $300 shifter to bring shifter in stock location for 69 camaro w/out console. It will work in all first generations,
Don_Dabbs@Oxy.com