Keisler bought out.....
01-27-2014, 07:59 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Keisler bought out.....
I was looking for TKO info, and found this
I think I'll hold off and see what happens.
Liberty’s Gears/Keisler Engineering Product IP Purchase
Released January 24, 2014
In response to the high volume of inquiries we have received regarding our involvement with Keisler Engineering’s PerfectFit Kits, we are issuing the following statement:
In December 2013, we (Liberty’s High Performance Products, Inc.) purchased from Keisler Engineering the intellectual property (IP) associated with their PerfectFit Kits. It is our intention to market the kits after we analyze the data and integrate our performance upgrades that we feel will provide the market with the optimum product.
Our company has been incorporated since 1971. We are not an affiliation of Keisler Engineering. We’ve made our mark in the industry by providing high quality products. We are known for our Clutchless Equalizer dual counter shaft transmissions, as well as manual transmission upgrades, custom gear sets, prototype work and of course our status as an Elite distributor for Tremec Transmissions.
We realize the demand for the PerfectFit Kits previously offered by Keisler, but we cannot compromise our quality standards to simply fill orders. We are working on getting our kits together, but it is going to take some time. We have been flooded with calls regarding our acquisition. We are happy to take these calls and explain what is happening at Liberty’s in regard to the kits. We thank you for your patience as we develop this product line.
Released January 24, 2014
In response to the high volume of inquiries we have received regarding our involvement with Keisler Engineering’s PerfectFit Kits, we are issuing the following statement:
In December 2013, we (Liberty’s High Performance Products, Inc.) purchased from Keisler Engineering the intellectual property (IP) associated with their PerfectFit Kits. It is our intention to market the kits after we analyze the data and integrate our performance upgrades that we feel will provide the market with the optimum product.
Our company has been incorporated since 1971. We are not an affiliation of Keisler Engineering. We’ve made our mark in the industry by providing high quality products. We are known for our Clutchless Equalizer dual counter shaft transmissions, as well as manual transmission upgrades, custom gear sets, prototype work and of course our status as an Elite distributor for Tremec Transmissions.
We realize the demand for the PerfectFit Kits previously offered by Keisler, but we cannot compromise our quality standards to simply fill orders. We are working on getting our kits together, but it is going to take some time. We have been flooded with calls regarding our acquisition. We are happy to take these calls and explain what is happening at Liberty’s in regard to the kits. We thank you for your patience as we develop this product line.
01-28-2014, 08:17 AM
#2
Racer
Member Since: Nov 2001
Location: Knoxville TN
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My understanding from Craig is that he does not want to send any Tremec TKO out the door without the undergoing his extensive modifications to make the TKO perform better for shift quality and durability. These include, but not limited to:
1. threaded countershaft plug
2. carbon fiber lined blocker rings
3. shot peening of clutch gear teeth
4. surface polishing process for Synchronizer Hubs and Sleeves (some people call Sliders).
5. modified Shift Pawl (some people call Shift Finger)
6. modified shift detent system (multiple items)
These items add only $300 or $400 to the price, and they are a great value. At KE, we did items 2 & 6 of our own variation with good results, but not the highly extensive other mods. He has a lot of manufacturing equipment in his shop to do these things.
Liberty Gears does not want the complaints for shift quality of the TKO that we would get and every other vendor of TKO gets.
Shafi Keisler
PS - I am working with Craig to restart the PerfectFit Tremec line.
1. threaded countershaft plug
2. carbon fiber lined blocker rings
3. shot peening of clutch gear teeth
4. surface polishing process for Synchronizer Hubs and Sleeves (some people call Sliders).
5. modified Shift Pawl (some people call Shift Finger)
6. modified shift detent system (multiple items)
These items add only $300 or $400 to the price, and they are a great value. At KE, we did items 2 & 6 of our own variation with good results, but not the highly extensive other mods. He has a lot of manufacturing equipment in his shop to do these things.
Liberty Gears does not want the complaints for shift quality of the TKO that we would get and every other vendor of TKO gets.
Shafi Keisler
PS - I am working with Craig to restart the PerfectFit Tremec line.
01-29-2014, 10:21 PM
#6
Racer
This is what he said to me today
If I read correctly Craig bought out your company. I want to wish you well and good luck. I love the transmission tko 600 I purchased from you. You made a good product.
Sincerely best of luck
Steve
Bakersfield
Dear Steve
Thank you for your interest. I am at the early phase of this attempt to raise investors - including strategic partners - to buy the assets and restart the operation. I have not formed the new company as of yet, as I am reviewing the best corporate structure for investors in US, Canada and International.
In December 2013, Liberty Gear of Taylor Michigan purchased the Keisler Tremec PerfectFit TKO & T56 assets, with the intent to support the going forward. Liberty Gear would like Shafi and the new company to continue doing what they were doing previously. This is a great benefit to the new company in that it can provide cash flow and profit almost immediately.
The opportunity at hand to start a new company can take one of two paths:
Option A – Purchase KE Operation from Trustee & Start Operations - Produce the custom Transmissions, Kits and Accessories for TREMEC, Rallye Sport RS, Super Sport SS. Then move to the second phase which is a new 6-speed based on the design of the SS700. This option utilizes many toolings in place and $400K of inventory on the shelves at KE.
Option B – Do not purchase KE. Sell Go straight to the second phase, the SS700 6-speed. Upon completion, begin production with a full line of completely engineered kits and accessories. This option requires new tooling and inventory
I have a presentation used in the recent weeks prior to the closing which covers the product line and the opportunity.
I am available today thru the balance of this week to meet by phone. Please let me know what works for your schedule. I can meet any time of the day or evening.
And thank you for taking the time and interest to contact me. KE was a diamond at one time, and could be a better company now with a clean start.
With Best Regards,
Shafi Keisler
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2014 1:06 AM
To: NewcoKeisler@gmail.com
Subject: sale of company
Wait and see what develops.
If I read correctly Craig bought out your company. I want to wish you well and good luck. I love the transmission tko 600 I purchased from you. You made a good product.
Sincerely best of luck
Steve
Bakersfield
Dear Steve
Thank you for your interest. I am at the early phase of this attempt to raise investors - including strategic partners - to buy the assets and restart the operation. I have not formed the new company as of yet, as I am reviewing the best corporate structure for investors in US, Canada and International.
In December 2013, Liberty Gear of Taylor Michigan purchased the Keisler Tremec PerfectFit TKO & T56 assets, with the intent to support the going forward. Liberty Gear would like Shafi and the new company to continue doing what they were doing previously. This is a great benefit to the new company in that it can provide cash flow and profit almost immediately.
The opportunity at hand to start a new company can take one of two paths:
Option A – Purchase KE Operation from Trustee & Start Operations - Produce the custom Transmissions, Kits and Accessories for TREMEC, Rallye Sport RS, Super Sport SS. Then move to the second phase which is a new 6-speed based on the design of the SS700. This option utilizes many toolings in place and $400K of inventory on the shelves at KE.
Option B – Do not purchase KE. Sell Go straight to the second phase, the SS700 6-speed. Upon completion, begin production with a full line of completely engineered kits and accessories. This option requires new tooling and inventory
I have a presentation used in the recent weeks prior to the closing which covers the product line and the opportunity.
I am available today thru the balance of this week to meet by phone. Please let me know what works for your schedule. I can meet any time of the day or evening.
And thank you for taking the time and interest to contact me. KE was a diamond at one time, and could be a better company now with a clean start.
With Best Regards,
Shafi Keisler
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2014 1:06 AM
To: NewcoKeisler@gmail.com
Subject: sale of company
Wait and see what develops.
01-29-2014, 10:47 PM
#7
Pro
Member Since: Mar 2011
Location: 40 miles N. of the Everglades
Posts: 697
Received 79 Likes
on
51 Posts
You didn't say which model you were looking for, but
Liberty has a good reputation in the Detroit area, BUT they were backed logged for six weeks last summer when my POS TKO600 (behind a compression lowered stock Pontiac 389) broke a 5th/reverse shaft that the shift fork runs along because it was cross drilled AND pinned in the middle. This left me locked in 5th gear and in lower gear positions it locked in two gears at once. Liberty will confirm this is possible. This is the second time its been out in 6k miles. Tremec reminded me there is a six month warranty.
Do yourself a favor and google tremec problems
Liberty has a good reputation in the Detroit area, BUT they were backed logged for six weeks last summer when my POS TKO600 (behind a compression lowered stock Pontiac 389) broke a 5th/reverse shaft that the shift fork runs along because it was cross drilled AND pinned in the middle. This left me locked in 5th gear and in lower gear positions it locked in two gears at once. Liberty will confirm this is possible. This is the second time its been out in 6k miles. Tremec reminded me there is a six month warranty.
Do yourself a favor and google tremec problems
01-30-2014, 12:52 AM
#8
Racer
You didn't say which model you were looking for, but
Liberty has a good reputation in the Detroit area, BUT they were backed logged for six weeks last summer when my POS TKO600 (behind a compression lowered stock Pontiac 389) broke a 5th/reverse shaft that the shift fork runs along because it was cross drilled AND pinned in the middle. This left me locked in 5th gear and in lower gear positions it locked in two gears at once. Liberty will confirm this is possible. This is the second time its been out in 6k miles. Tremec reminded me there is a six month warranty.
Do yourself a favor and google tremec problems
Liberty has a good reputation in the Detroit area, BUT they were backed logged for six weeks last summer when my POS TKO600 (behind a compression lowered stock Pontiac 389) broke a 5th/reverse shaft that the shift fork runs along because it was cross drilled AND pinned in the middle. This left me locked in 5th gear and in lower gear positions it locked in two gears at once. Liberty will confirm this is possible. This is the second time its been out in 6k miles. Tremec reminded me there is a six month warranty.
Do yourself a favor and google tremec problems
Had a 5 year warranty on it. Past tense. Had the Dougnash 4+3 crap for 2 years repaired it all the time . Parts not easy to come by.
This one I bought from KE has been a dream so far. Now have a 383 stroker SR and all the good stuff to see what kind of abuse it can take.
Had good luck so far.
This is what he and I talked about warrenty.
01-30-2014, 12:34 PM
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
I read on another site that the Liberty modifications make the TKO the cat's a$$. Most of the bad things i've read abouthe tko has to do with the 2nd to 3rd shift, and their mods fix that. I was looking at the 500 with my 3.07 rear end.
01-30-2014, 05:28 PM
#10
Racer
1. threaded countershaft plug
2. carbon fiber lined blocker rings
3. shot peening of clutch gear teeth
4. surface polishing process for Synchronizer Hubs and Sleeves (some people call Sliders).
5. modified Shift Pawl (some people call Shift Finger)
6. modified shift detent system (multiple items
KE only did two where Liberty did all making it a better product. About $400 more.
I went with the 600 because I was going to the 383 with the Super Ram bosh injectors BBK throttle body. Now I can break my half shafts. Wow
2. carbon fiber lined blocker rings
3. shot peening of clutch gear teeth
4. surface polishing process for Synchronizer Hubs and Sleeves (some people call Sliders).
5. modified Shift Pawl (some people call Shift Finger)
6. modified shift detent system (multiple items
KE only did two where Liberty did all making it a better product. About $400 more.
I went with the 600 because I was going to the 383 with the Super Ram bosh injectors BBK throttle body. Now I can break my half shafts. Wow
02-02-2014, 04:59 PM
#11
Navigator
Member Since: Aug 2013
Location: Greenville IN
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You didn't say which model you were looking for, but
Liberty has a good reputation in the Detroit area, BUT they were backed logged for six weeks last summer when my POS TKO600 (behind a compression lowered stock Pontiac 389) broke a 5th/reverse shaft that the shift fork runs along because it was cross drilled AND pinned in the middle. This left me locked in 5th gear and in lower gear positions it locked in two gears at once. Liberty will confirm this is possible. This is the second time its been out in 6k miles. Tremec reminded me there is a six month warranty.
Do yourself a favor and google tremec problems
Liberty has a good reputation in the Detroit area, BUT they were backed logged for six weeks last summer when my POS TKO600 (behind a compression lowered stock Pontiac 389) broke a 5th/reverse shaft that the shift fork runs along because it was cross drilled AND pinned in the middle. This left me locked in 5th gear and in lower gear positions it locked in two gears at once. Liberty will confirm this is possible. This is the second time its been out in 6k miles. Tremec reminded me there is a six month warranty.
Do yourself a favor and google tremec problems
02-02-2014, 11:14 PM
#12
Pro
Member Since: Mar 2011
Location: 40 miles N. of the Everglades
Posts: 697
Received 79 Likes
on
51 Posts
Pics of broken5/reverse shift rail in my TKO600. I got no consideration from tremec beyond a recitation of the meager warranty. After drilled/pinned at the same location their is pitiful little metal left.
02-03-2014, 08:28 AM
#14
Pro
Member Since: Mar 2011
Location: 40 miles N. of the Everglades
Posts: 697
Received 79 Likes
on
51 Posts
Shaft broke coming to a stop on the Xway exit ramp. Always thinking about that 49 year old convertible frame. Just a cruiser that can be driven 70+ with a 3:55.
This guy describes the shifting problems very accurately. People seem to love em or hate em, drink the cool aid kind of thing. IMHO it is hard to shift, rev limiter required, noisy, hard to install with crazy bell housing centering tolerances, and on sixties cars have to cut the shlitz out of the floor to cram it in.
Choose your flavor
http://www.w8ji.com/tko_600_shifting_problems.htm
This guy describes the shifting problems very accurately. People seem to love em or hate em, drink the cool aid kind of thing. IMHO it is hard to shift, rev limiter required, noisy, hard to install with crazy bell housing centering tolerances, and on sixties cars have to cut the shlitz out of the floor to cram it in.
Choose your flavor
http://www.w8ji.com/tko_600_shifting_problems.htm
02-03-2014, 12:41 PM
#15
Instructor
Thread Starter
I read that article. that's what led me to Liberty in the first place. i'm kinda hoping that they sell the kits with the mods already done (which it looks like they will), and avoid those issues. I really don't know if i want to deal with a zf.