Found this while searching around..

http://www.keislerauto.com/Camaro_5Speed.htm

Uses a modified Tremec trans with 5th gear overdrive.. I REALLY want the overdrive and with a Richmond I would have to get the 6-speed to get that.

Plus I like how this lines up properly with the consol and uses a standard bellhousing and clutch. Its also a hydrolic system rather than mechanical so that should be nice.

They gave a price for the COMPLETE kit (bellhousing, MeCloud clutch, shifter, etc) even the DS for $3900..

Seems to be a nice way to go and the .69 OD gear will be sweet on the freeway with the 427rat and 3.73 gears (77mph @ 2500rpm)

Thoughts?

Oh, this will we a switch over from my TH350 thats in the 69 now..

No replies yet to this question.
There is a short article in the October Chevy High Performance magazine (Parts Rack area)on these transmissions. This looks very inticing to anyone running big gears with a original 4 speed. I am interested but will wait to hear user reviews or magazine articles in installation process/problems.

yeah, I saw that too, their site looks interesting, would like to hear from someone with direct experience, anybody one here use or buy one?

they list the lesser version (450hp) for $2,699 and that includes driveshaft and cross member, but looks like it doesn't include shifter handle.
Keisler Web Page (http://www.keislerauto.com/gm/transmissions/camaro_67-69.asp)

I just got two of them in the other day.

They are really nothing different than a regular TKO with the shifter offset to fit into the factory hole in the floor pan for the shifter. Which means that you can use your factory console. But its kinda expensive.....I'm a dealer and really didnt get too much of a price brake.....even being a dealer for them.

It is kinda nice that you get a cross member, speedo cable, mounts and a drive shaft BUt NO shifter handle......For that kinda money I could step up to a T-56 and have a double OD. But, it is about 50 lbs lighter than a T-56 set-up and it doesnt require any pan modifications (not that the T-56 requires a whole bunch either). You are although, required to use their shifter and there are no others that will bolt to it......so there is NO adjustment or throw limiters.

In the end, I wouldnt recommend it for guys running a ratio of more than 3.55. Any more gear than that and first gear becomes useless. I wouldnt run more than a 3.42 in my opinion. Basically its cool, but there are limiting factors.

Chicane how far are those shifters offset from the centerline?

Hey guys, I sell the same trans and parts that Keisler does (from Fortes Parts Connection), and I can provide them for hundreds $$$$ less. We even have the 16.75" custom shifter, and will soon have the 16.75" with 2 1/8" offset shifter available.

Please give my page a look at http://www.5speedtransmissions.com.

I can also provide a hyd clutch setup if you want, and am very familiar with swapping the TREMEC transmissions into the Camaros (and most early American iron).

graemlins/beers.gif

Jim- Give me a day or so to get you an accurate measurement. Right now the one that I have left in the shop is for a circa 60's Corvette. But as for a rough number, the shifter is off set to the left of centerline by a little over 3" and just slightly forward by about an 1". I'll get you an exact when I get another one later this week.

FYI, Forte's doesnt sell this transmission for anything less than what is advertised on the site. They dont get any more of a discount than anyone else....which basically comes out to nothing. Keisler is also the one who does the mod to the trans itself and that make the install kit. I dont think the statement of 'Hundreds less' is going to happen, but prove me wrong and I'll send all of my customers to you. A couple of hundred bucks makes a big difference...... ;)

Originally posted by chicane67:

FYI, Forte's doesnt sell this transmission for anything less than what is advertised on the site. They dont get any more of a discount than anyone else....which basically comes out to nothing. Keisler is also the one who does the mod to the trans itself and that make the install kit. I dont think the statement of 'Hundreds less' is going to happen, but prove me wrong and I'll send all of my customers to you. A couple of hundred bucks makes a big difference...... ;) Whoa, I'm not trying to start a pissing match. graemlins/beers.gif Of all the guys who've came to me, comparing prices to Keisler's prices, we've always come in lower for the same/similar parts. For example, I quoted $1000 less to 2 guys (less driveshaft, and a not-required crossmember) for a 4sp swap "kit", and I'm usually at least $200-$300 less for the same/similar parts (often more). My prices are posted at my site, so there isn't any special competitor pricing going on (just less mark up).

So 'hundreds less' isn't an exaggeration. Compare their $2699 kit to mine at $2119 (less driveshaft and hardware). And a driveshaft and hardware doesn't have to cost $580. We'd have to get into details of which car, console, etc., but for most Camaros (this forum), this is pretty accurate. So, even if I price a driveshaft at $350, we're still $230 ahead. And do they include shipping (I did), if not, then we're $320 less.

Let's not start a problem between us. I don't want that. I didn't mean to take a stab at you or Keisler, even though I know for a fact they are willing to do that to me and Forte (first hand experience recently, personally via the phone, BTW), but that's not my game. I'm here to help out others, provide free tech info, swap details, etc, and if I happen to sell some transmissions, then great (not my main income).

In retrospect, my above post was a little out of character. I shouldn't have jumped in without at least providing better info. My intent was to show a different source for the same product.

Mike "I'd rather do this over a beer, I'll buy." P. graemlins/beers.gif

First off, there isnt anything to have a pissing match over. All statement was about is that if you CAN do it for less, that is GREAT !! Hook the brothers up !!

I'd be more than happy to throw money your way and spend less of it !! Hey man, no skin off of my back. I didnt take offence to anything you posted, hell I'm gald someone can do it for less !! So no, I dont forsee any problems here, never did. I just hope that what I posted didnt come across as being defensive or anything.

But I do know that the shaft supplied is a little pricy as is the cross member and the included hardware. That and I dont know if we are talking about the same transmission here either. From what I know, the Keisler is in house only kinda thing and doesnt sell from 'out of his circle' if you get what I mean. Some of those guys want to keep everything proprietary.....which I understand, but think is stooooopid.

Free shipping as well? I might just have to give you a buzz and throw some cashola your way Mike. :D

Originally posted by chicane67:
First off, there isnt anything to have a pissing match over. All statement was about is that if you CAN do it for less, that is GREAT !! Hook the brothers up !!

I'd be more than happy to throw money your way and spend less of it !! Hey man, no skin off of my back. I didnt take offence to anything you posted, hell I'm gald someone can do it for less !! So no, I dont forsee any problems here, never did. I just hope that what I posted didnt come across as being defensive or anything.

But I do know that the shaft supplied is a little pricy as is the cross member and the included hardware. That and I dont know if we are talking about the same transmission here either. From what I know, the Keisler is in house only kinda thing and doesnt sell from 'out of his circle' if you get what I mean. Some of those guys want to keep everything proprietary.....which I understand, but think is stooooopid.

Free shipping as well? I might just have to give you a buzz and throw some cashola your way Mike. :D Cool, I just didn't want to cause problems or make anyone mad. :) I've been here for a lot of years, watching the forum, and have seen some ugly conflicts. That can really take the fun out of things. I'm definately an easy going type of guy and would rather split beers than words. graemlins/beers.gif (Love that emoticon!) I'm the one being overly concerned. Thanks.

Input shaft? Did you know TTC is now shipping the GM TKO with the GM input shaft installed and GM bearing retainer. So that mod is no longer necessary (for early GM applications). But that trans is more expensive than the std Ford version. Forte still removes the torque arm boss and drill/tap for the TH400 trans mount. And of course he makes the GM speedo adapter (copied by everyone else unfortunatley for him). Now the f-late transmissions still require an input shaft installation as do some Ford applications. Oh, and he has the custom 16.75" shifter for GM console applications, and will shortly have the 2" offset version also. That'll give us 6 different shifter locations to offer, maybe 8 if the 2" offset works like he designed it. I couldn't tell of Keisler includes his custom shifter on all transmissions or not, so it's a bit harder to compare apples to apples.

No, I don't offer free shipping. I just include it in my package so you know all of your expenses up front. :)

Now, I do offer a discount for Team Camaro and Team Chevelle members. I've enjoyed these 2 sites for a number of years, and am happy to support them.

chicane67

Might want to look up a man in your area, he lives on Royal Rd in El Cajon off 2nd st. His name is Jim Rupe. Over the years I know many people that have had manual transmissions done by him and the work was always super as was the quality. I lived in San Diego for many years before moving to Arkansas and I wish I would have had him do my 69 Sss396 Chevelle's Munci MC1 3 speed before I moved. Now I will have to ship it to a friend so he can take it to him and then ship it back.

From past experiances it will be worth it to me, you might want to check him out. I don't know a phone number but I am sure if ask around at the car shows (Elcajon)or just ask anyone from The Over The Hill Gang and you get in touch. He's a good guy and also has some nice parts for all makes.

Joe

Joe- Yeah I have known Jim for many many years, "good people" in my book. Jim is part of the little 'consortium' that we have here in San Diego (Jim Rupe, Don Araki, Donnie Wang, Mark Lintner, Lucky, Bob Thompson and myself. The Go to Guys for "that" level of work). When I stopped doing main stream builds of the vererable Muncie during the early days of 'PRO GEAR', I sold Jim the remainder of parts and trannies that I had in stock. So now when I am after a hard to find munchie or FTL part....I know just who to see, where to go and all I gotta do is remember what box I put it in.

Your right, he is definately a very intelligent man that you would want to know if you were in the Hotrod scene here in San Dog......

SO, can someone clarify this:
Do any of the known 5sp transmissions for first gen. cars bolt to the original bellhousing, allow the use of the stock console, shift through all gears without any Interference with the console, and the crossmember uses the existing mounting locations on the subframe.

Keisler's TKO kit does.

Originally posted by michaelm5:
SO, can someone clarify this:
Do any of the known 5sp transmissions for first gen. cars bolt to the original bellhousing, allow the use of the stock console, shift through all gears without any Interference with the console, and the crossmember uses the existing mounting locations on the subframe. I have a 'package' for this swap also. It's a very common swap, and is straightforward.
Here's the swap details: http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/3550_69_camaro.html

Is the Keisler crossmember better than Forte's? Keisler looks boxed and Forte looks stamped.
http://www.keislerauto.com/gm/transmissions/camaro_67-69.asp

http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/5spcrossmember.html

Keisler is including the crossmember with mounts, driveshaft and the correct shifter. Is the new shifter from Forte included in the kit (I did not see it specified)? Add $300 for a shifter $125 for a crossmember and a few $$ for a driveshaft and the kits are almost same price.
I heard to modify a th400 crossmember because the aftermarket ones may flex?

There seem to be alot of happy customers who dealt with mjpell, which is important.
I cannot find alot of info about Keisler.

[ 08-19-2003, 07:45 PM: Message edited by: MattBek ]

I installed a MJ Pell tremec. He is terrific and enjoys helping with the install and any questions you may have along the way. I used the th400 modified and it is a brute. Stick with Pell you won't go wrong!

joe c

I installed a MJ Pell tremec. He is terrific and enjoys helping with the install and any questions you may have along the way. I used the th400 modified and it is a brute. Stick with Pell you won't go wrong!

joe c

Originally posted by MattBek:
Is the Keisler crossmember better than Forte's? Keisler looks boxed and Forte looks stamped.
http://www.keislerauto.com/gm/transmissions/camaro_67-69.asp

http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/5spcrossmember.html

Keisler is including the crossmember with mounts, driveshaft and the correct shifter. Is the new shifter from Forte included in the kit (I did not see it specified)? Add $300 for a shifter $125 for a crossmember and a few $$ for a driveshaft and the kits are almost same price.
I heard to modify a th400 crossmember because the aftermarket ones may flex?

There seem to be alot of happy customers who dealt with mjpell, which is important.
I cannot find alot of info about Keisler. Hi Mattbek,
I suppose the question about the crossmembers is a bit of a subjective one. I've never heard a complaint about Forte's crossmember, and I don't see how it could flex. It's at least 3/8" thick, and has a lip for strength. It's very stout.

If you can modify your TH400 crossmember, that's my recommendation. Saves you some more cash for other go-fast goodies! Otherwise the crossmember makes for a direct bolt in.

We sell the custom shifter as an optional item. It's really only required on certain cars (pre '68 A-body for example). For most Camaros, it's not required and you can save $300.

My recommendation for 1st gen Camaro installs is to use the stock shifter location on the 5sp. You'll have to trim the shifter opening a bit, and build a simple 1.5" spacer to move the shifter bar forward to work in the console. If you're adverse to those 2 steps, then the $300 custom shifter is a great solution.

Hope that clarifies a bit.
Ask all the questions you want.

Mike graemlins/beers.gif

I installed the complete TKO kit from Fortes and love it.