Due to clutch and 4th gear syncro issues, I've got my bird apart. I'm debating what way to go. If I can pry open my wallet, I'd like to go with the Keisler TKO kit ($3500). I was leaning towards the TKO 600 with 2.87 1st and 0.82 5th. I think the TKO 500 will be too radical with the 3.27 1st and 0.68 5th. My rear is a 3.23 and the motor is a 389. What do you guys think? Anybody run the TKO 500 and what are those ratio's like?

A cheaper route is a new supercase muncie ($1700) (all new beefy aftermarket parts http://www.5speeds.com/newm22.html) as it is less money and should bolt right up without all the extra parts you need for the 5 speeds.

The cheapest option is to get my current muncie repaired.

Until I got thrown one of those character building curve balls this year (code for - dam% that cost a lot), I was set on the newer Keisler RS600. I have a 3.55 rear, so the final drive might be too much of a drop with your diff. I put off my upgrade for awhile, but I think the RS was actually cheaper than the TKO, but a longer lead time.

There are some websites where you can enter all yourinfo (tire size, gear box ratios, and diff. ratio ) and it will tell you your rpm's @ differint speeds in all gears. It can be very helpful.

Which websites??

Here:

http://keislerauto.com/speed_analyzers.php?sa=gm_5


I was hoping for some first hand experience. I'm wondering how the 3.27 1st gear is for normal driving and how well it does for going down the strip.

My T-10 had a very low 1st gear and I had 3.55 POSI rear end. I could still see the light as I put it into 2nd! Lots of fun! I had a 850 Thermoquad with no restriction (spring) on the secondaries and she would suck it all up right off the line.

5th gear would be great to have though.

The guys on the google groups are big on after market iron so you should post there as well.

I put the TKO500 in a couple years back. I originally had a 2.78 posi which was OK but later put in a 4.10 posi. The 4.10 gears are a bit much and think either 3.90 or 3.73 gears would be great. Based on your gears I do not think there would be any issue at all with the TKO500. The 5th gear is great for crusing.

Tom

I was leaning towards the TKO 500 at one point after I took the bird down the track with the muncie. The clutch gets abused launching on a sticky track with the muncie 1st gear. But I just don't want to be stuck driving a car with a too steep 1st gear for everyday driving.

Usually a final drive ratio in the 10 to 11:1 range will work well for a dual purpose car. With your 3.23s that would be a 3.1 to 3.4:1 first gear; sounds like the TKO 500 would be right in the middle. If you stay with a composite clutch and want get in some track time that'd be the one to use IMO.

Otherwise I think it might come down more to the fifth gear ratio, as the 2.87 first on the TKO 600 is not far off and might also fit on with what you're thinking.

Thanks for the good advice, guys. I'll have to figure out how much I want to spend first and go from there. I'm trying to get my goat back together, too.

Last year a buddy bought one of the new no-cut Kesslers,I think. He said it would take him a year to pay it off($4K). It been about that by now. I'll have to get hold of him and see if he got it all together yet. I'll let you know.

I was hoping Santa would drop a TR6060 down my chimney, but it didn't show up. I don't think it'll fit my non-LS block anyway, so it'll be the wide ratio TKO600 for me anyway.

I hate having the 700R4 in my car. With 4.10 gears, I'd really like to have those overdrives in 5th and 6th the 6060 offers.

In regards to having a 1st gear too steep for street driving, just start in 2nd. My 2006 Dodge Ram has the G56 manual with a 6.29:1 first gear, and I have 4.10 gears in the truck too. Needless to say, I don't use it unless I'm towing a HEAVY load. I simply start in 2nd, which is 3.48:1.

Is it possible to add a later model Pontiac 5 speed to rplace the stock 4 speed unit? I would love to have that 5th gear (In fact I keep looking for it everytime I drive it Lol). There is a lot of freeway driving I have to do here so the fifth gear would be real nice to have

I dont want to spend $3,500.00 to upgrade and was wondering if there was a simple way to put in a late model tranny

I am looking to make this more of a road car not a stright line dragster.

I used an '88 GTA t-5 transmission in my '69. Installation is fairly simple. The console, if you have one, needs to be shifted back about 2 inches. The drive shaft has to be shortened a couple of inches as well. There are some other minor mods as well.
It is holding up just fine behind my 350.
T-5s can be found usually in the $400-$650 range. I was lucky to find mine for $300 plus $80 for shipping. The only other major expense was the driveshaft work with new u-joints for $120.
If tire smoking is high on your list it won't hold up. Other wise it is an economical way to get over-drive.