Jennings

Sorry if this topic has been covered in the past the search function here makes finding specific things a little bit hard at times.
I am in the research and planning stages of a possible LS upgrade (my #'s matching engine long gone) in my 63 conv. I am interested in learning what are the best options for a keeping a manual trans in my car without any floor or tunnel mods that will work well behind the modern LS engine. TKO, Legend LGT700, T56, TR6060, or anything I might be missing?
oh yea and prefer not to cut the trans crossmember....
What have you folks found works best?

dcaggiani

I have the LS3 (430HP) attached to a TKO 5-speed. The rear gears are 3:55. The combination is great. I can cruise at 75MPH with the Tach reading about 2000RPM. at 80MPH/2100RPM.

No modification to the tunnel - the 5-speed fits right in (I have a street shop chassis but that should not matter).

Over 13,000 miles - including a 10 hour trip to Asheville from West Palm area - no issues.

Lotsacubes

Love our TKO600 with 3:70 rear. Researched shifter designs and chose SST. No regrets, would use SST again. No mods but our engine's not LS. Lots posted about swapping out Muncie. Under SEARCH, use Advanced search.

cv67

Would think a 5 spd is the ticket
Used a T56 (old GM car not a vette) it is pretty good sized may not be for you. Plus you have to be drivingt at warp speed to use 6th
Either way youll love OD having that option of another gear really adds to the car. Would never go back to a 4 spd

wmf62

in hindsight, I would never have gone to a 5spd, my 4spd already had OD AND a lower 1st gear with better street manners...

too late now...

Bill

Kris_K

Silver Sport used my 66 427 to develop a six speed conversion for C2s. It shifts so smoothly and the double overdrive is great to have on the Texas roads. I only need sixth gear on the interstate highways, I am at 2100 rpm at 70 mph in sixth gear.

I also have a Richmond 6 speed in my 70 454 convertible and a TKO600 in my 70 Chevelle. Of the three, the T56 is by far the best shifting transmission. If had to do it all over again I would install a T56 in all my classic cars.

The only caveat is the T56 requires major surgery to fit in a C2.

Jennings

Were any mods required for the transmission crossmember when installing the TKO600?

Lotsacubes

Nope. It was our installer's first C2 TKO install and he said he had to learn how to get it in (and out). It's tight but doable. I paid to have ours installed twice because I didn't like the feel of the clutch/pp that came with the kit. We have the .64 OD and it's awesome. I think there's some type of mod that allows faster 2-3 TKO shifts, but I don't need it. I think your list may include companies and products that no longer exist. I watched a tech at SST pressure test a customer's spinning TKO for leaks. Maybe everyone does this, but I was impressed with SST's QC process. Anyway, you can't tell by looking in our car it's not a Muncie. I left the original shift pattern on the console. Very happy.

wmf62

[QUOTE=Lotsacubes;1594256004 I left the original shift pattern on the console. Very happy.[/QUOTE]

not a good idea if anyone else needs to drive the car for a legitimate reason as they won't know where reverse is....

Bill

Jennings

Wow!! that is great to hear that there is an option for C2 owners out there without taking a cutting device to the car!!!

Thanks for the help!

0Tech@HurstDrivelines

Hello Jennings,

basically the 5 speed tko is going to be the way to go. We can decide which one would best suit you by getting your information. If you are looking for a kit or have any other questions give us a call and we can help you out.

Hurst Igancio

SpedRacr93

I couldn't agree more with this statement.

I have a TKO behind an LS7 and I can time my shifts at high RPMs with an hour glass... For normal cruising and driving it's fine I guess, but if you try to race it or shift at high RPMs; forget it.

It's irritating enough that on my next build, I will be cutting up the floor pan to get the 6060 in there.

Basic64

I have a silversport tko500 in my 64. 3:36 gear in the rear and 1800 rpm in 5th gear @60 mph. No modifications to trans tunnel at all, make sure you have fresh body mounts for trans clearance in the tunnel. No crossmember mods are needed either. Great trans and great customer support from silversport!

65tripleblack

What will you be using the car for..............street/highway cruising? Road racing? Drag racing?

If you only will use it for the street, then the TKO will be your best choice. It has clunky 2-3 shifts but for normal driving you won't be bothered by this drawback.

66BlueRdster

I have an LS3 with an LGT-700 5 speed. Have a 3:70 rear gear. Love the LGT-700, shifts smooth and no issues with high 6600 RPM shifts. No tunnel modifications required.

65tripleblack

That would be my choice. I think Jody's transmissions is one place to buy if they are still selling them.

I have a now discontinued Kiesler RS600 and I am TOTALLY happy with it. I also have a 3.70 rear and the gearing is perfect on both ends. The only thing that I had to improve upon was the flimsy transmission mount bracket. Last I heard, the SS, now LGT trans uses that same flimsy mount which should be beefed up.

Tripleblack51

I've had my 67 coupe for many years and many times contemplated doing this.
I finally pulled the trigger on a Tremec TKO600.
It was installed last week.
Got to drive it on the highway yesterday for the first time.
Wow! What a difference it made!
My car had a 327/350 L79 with a four speed and a 411 rear end.
Over the years I've enjoyed it thoroughly taking it mostly on short jaunts.
I will now be able to enjoy it more.
It feels like a new car. I should have done this earlier.
The folks at SST are awesome. I got the shift kit which includes an OEM replica T- shifter. Looking at it, it appears to be stock.
The throws are much closer, but no problem..feels great!
I like the look.

Thanks to you all on this forum for your feedback.
It was this shop's first install of one of these and owner indeed said there is a specific way to install and remove this tranny. He put it up on the lift to show my buddy and I.

Very happy with my new five speed.

Lotsacubes

Gorgeous day yesterday to take a 3 hr top down cruise. We would not have enjoyed it as much driving in 4th. ~2050 rpm at 70 in 5th for about 1/2 the drive. Glad your SST experience was good. Cheers