I've just purchased the Keisler TKO-600 5-spd conversion for my '69 Camaro, which currently has a TH350.

Problem is, I've NEVER worked on a stick car before, and the docs Keisler sent me are for converting an M-21 car to a TKO-600, so there's a lot of missing info.

Has anyone seen any manual (perhaps a Haynes?) that covers installing a standard transmission? The shop manual has some info, but even so, when it comes to "use alignment tool to mount clutch", a picture would sure help for a guy like me that's never done it.

SO I guess I'm looking for a website or manual or anything that shows step by step the procedure for installing a standard transmission starting with the flywheel.

I'm sure I can likely figure it out by trial and error and intuition, but hate to make my $3300 project a "learning experience" if it means I screw it up!

Anyone have any suggestions?

I believe they have a kit for an auto to manual swap that comes with everything needed. Is that what you bought ? The basic 600 doesnt come with the whole ball of wax. The 4 speed kit is a kit that has everything you need to swap out a muncie for a TKO 500 - 600. It assumes you have the bellhousing, clutch and linkage. I'm sure you have spoken to them in detail before buying.


I know your gonna at least need a bellhousing, flywheel, clutch, bearing, linkage, fork and cut your floor for the shifter, pedals...etc. Make sure you get a GM clutch fork because the Lakewood heavy duty doesnt work correctly. Your gonna need a bracket on your frame for the z-bar to piviot off of unless you bought their hydrolic clutch setup. Their auto trans kit has just about everything. I would call them and ask for assistance and for a step by step install manual. I'm sure they have it.

I want a 600 bad but dont have the funds right now. Gonna have to wait a bit :( Let me know how you make out.



Heres the kit

http://keislerauto.com/gm/camaro-gen1-kits.html

Good luck

Hey... if your in NJ I'll help you.

Gary

Read this:
http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=72710
also do search of "tko install".
Should get you all you need to know.
Good luck, the tko's are great!

Thats a great source of info on the TKO.

I did buy they kit intended for an auto car, so I have all the parts I believe I need. It doesn't include interior items like the shifter boot, etc, but looks like it has all the hard parts.

I was clever and had my engine drilled and tapped for the ball mount stud before installing it, at least.

The documents linked above look good, thanks for the info! Keisler also says they have a general doc on converting from an auto, but I haven't received it yet. Hopefully it will be helpful.

Where are you located? I'm sure someone from the board would be happy to walk you thru the install. It isn't too bad of a project.

Dave -

Has your kit been delivered or just ordered? I know the Keisler folks have been more active here lately, and supposedly their customer service has been improving, but the Classic Chevy 5-speed boys are hard to beat. They give service after the sale that is everything short of hopping a plane to come help. If you've receied the Keisler or are otherwise locked in, you'll get enough info here to get you through.

Has Keisler revised their kit to work for a BB car, and/or do they now have a dedicated kit for BB 1st gens? If not, be ready to modify the crossmember. A few years back, I learned the hard way that the Forte/Pell cross was made for SB, and Keisler's was too. I called Jeff at CC5S, we measured and CC5S developed a correct fitting cross for BB.

Are you doing this with the motor in the car?

I haven't read through the instructions in the link above, written by the boys at CC5S, but I'm sure they are comprehensive. Whatever is missing, you'll be able to find here, down to the discrete steps like "install pilot bearing".

I installed a tko 600 a few months ago from cc5s. I already had a 4 sp in it so I didn't have to do as much as you will. It is a totally different car to drive now and much better on the gas. In the past the cc5s guys have helped out other people even if they had not bought from them. They have the best customer service around by far. Go to their web site and I am sure they can answer any questions that you might have.

When you say its a totally different car, even though you already had a 4-speed, what's the main difference?

5th gear...

Also the way it shifts. Very smooth and direct, nothing like an external linkage shifter at all.

5th gear...

Also the way it shifts. Very smooth and direct, nothing like an external linkage shifter at all.

I have a 410 rear end. At 60 mph I was turning 3300 rpms. Now at 60 it is only 2200 rpms. A lot less stress on the motor and my ears.

Bill, do you have the mechanical or hydraulic CLUTCH linkage? I have the mechanical, and for now, plan to keep it that way unless I hear horror stories about the mechanical linkage.

As for the shifter, the smooth internal shifter was about 34% of reason for going to the TKO. The other 33% was torque capacity, and the other 33% was overdrive.

Dave -
Has your kit been delivered or just ordered? I know the Keisler folks have been more active here lately, and supposedly their customer service has been improving, but the Classic Chevy 5-speed boys are hard to beat. They give service after the sale that is everything short of hopping a plane to come help. If you've receied the Keisler or are otherwise locked in, you'll get enough info here to get you through.


Already delivered (and promptly, too) from Keisler. I -didn't- buy from Keisler last year because they wouldn't answer emails, but they must have stepped that up because now I'm getting answers in hours, not days.

The main reason I went with Keisler was the completeness of the kit. I've recommended to CC a few times that yes, while the parts are all available in the aftermarket, they should still offer a bundle for people like myself that don't want to figure out every part I'd need.

Even a list with links to the catalog items a Ricks, Classic Industries, Year One, etc, would be a big step forward for them.

Dave, I have a mechanical clutch set up. No problems what-so-ever with it.