Keisler Automotive

Listers,

Our company has just released our latest offering for Corvette enthusiasts - the KEISLER 5-SPEED for C4 Corvette. This transmission system, like our extremely popular C1/C2/C3 kits, will revolutionize the drivetrain in your C4 Vette. Based on our custom engineered version of the TREMEC TKO 5-speed overdrive transmission, we have designed the a COMPLETE, BOLT-IN REPLACEMENT for the Doug Nash 4+3 found in 1984-1988 Corvette.
Here are some popular features:
1. STOCK ORIGINAL SHIFTER LOCATION - the shift lever comes out through the original console hole and leather boot, as original. Your car will retain a stock appearance
2. COMPLETE KIT - everything is included - from new 550 or 650 FT-LB rated transmission, torque arm bracket, driveshaft slip yoke to all of the small parts in the fitting kit, including electronic speedo calibration module. You will have everything you need to convert your Vette.
3. EASY INSTALL - we have designed the transmission conversion for the D-I-Y limited experience mechanic.
4. SUPER DUTY - based on the tried and true TREMEC TKO, you can now build your Vette to new performance standards, without concern of breaking your transmission. We have many customers with over 650FT-LB torque running these transmissions. PLUS, the shift quality is simply incredible! AND, no overdrive buttons to push!
5. CUSTOMER SERVICE, TECH SUPPORT, INSTALLATION - With over 20 employees, 13 years in the business and the largest supplier of overdrive manual transmission systems in the business, we have the support staff to help you with your install. We have numerous installation centers throughout the country that can provide the work for you in a timely manner, including our local installation shop at B&M Automotive (865.922.7111, Bob Marshall).
6. LOW COST - at $2995, you will invest less money in a brand new Keisler transmission system than completely rebuilding your DNE 4+3. Many DNE owners have reported they have rebuilt their transmission 3 times already, at costs ranging from $1500-3200, plus labor. Your KEISLER 5-SPEED will pay for itself in a short period of time.

We debuted the kit at the Corvettes at Carlisle show, and this weekend's Knoxville Corvette EXPO. Chris Petris, technical editor for Corvette Fever, drove the car this weekend and said that this will be "the single best improvement for C4 Corvette owner with the problematic DNE 4+3 transmission," and he further stated "The product is, without a doubt, a home run." An '88 black autocross roadster is on display at the Knoxville Corvette EXPO. Look for tech articles on the transmission product and installation to be coming out in CORVETTE FEVER and CORVETTE ENTHUSIAST magazines.

And for you ZF 6-speed owners tired of speeding $4000 on a rebuild, we will also have a KEISLER 6-SPEED (double overdrive) kit for the C4 Vette. Again, it will offer stock shifter location.

And for automatic C4 owners, you will be able to convert your car to KEISLER 5 or 6-speed, at reasonably low cost.

Please see our detailed information for the C4 kit on our website www.keislerauto.com/gm and call us.

Shafi Keisler, Keisler Engineering Inc.
Corvette Forum Sponsor
www.keislerauto.com/gm
865.609.8187 x1

redwing76

Finally!

corvetteronw

I can change my 87 automatic to a 6-speed?!!! Lord amighty - you are going to get some of my mod money yesiree!

scorp508

You've always been able to. The ZF6 swap is a popular one. Keep in mind the 6-speed mentioned above won't be a "drop in" into a 4+3 car.

USAsOnlyWay

Definitly gonna be doing that when my 4+3 dies

Getzen88

i went to the site because it sparked my intrest...i have one question and one request/coment...

first the question: why offer a five speed? would the six speed be a direct fit for the stock 4+3?

and my request/comment: that chart at the bottom compairs the fifth gear "overdrive" to the forth gear of the 4+3 with the overdrive off (ratio at 1:1). it just caught me off guard when i saw the crusing RPM at 2000 and my car is only going 57, had to look twice and then take the car out to double check...

just little things that eeked me...

Mike

bogus

I can answer this one! The 4+3 for all its high techness, is only a 5 speed...

I see what you mean... they are comparing 4th (1:1) to 5th, .68:1, apples and oranges. They should have compared this in 4th+1.

CentralCoaster

Looks like a great product, and I will consider one if/when my 4+3 gives out.

It's too bad that your advertising so heavily emphasizes the rpm/mileage/wear improvement over the 4+3, when your claim is false.

The MH5 4+3 has a .59:1 overdrive unit, (and the MK2 4+3 has a .68:1 overdrive) What I'm saying is, that you are either misinformed, or trying to mislead your customers on your 'taller' overdrive gear. Personally, overdrive ratio and fuel economy aren't a big concerns for me... but a straight-shooting vendor is. It leads me to wonder how true the 'simple tunnel modification' is.

Improvements in reliability should be a big enough selling point. And with some lab testing, I'm sure you could show that your unit has less drivetrain losses than a 4+3, which means more RWHP, and that would be another big selling point.

marlon88

If this transmission handles all the power that you give it that`s all that we need then ! Who is going to spend $3000 to his corvette to get better gas milage


Power is what we want

Ray383

Why would I buy this kit for $3k when I could have a bolt is Richmond 6speed for the same price?

I'm not trying to be an azz, just asking a real question.

bogus

I personally think the Tremec is a better box than the Richmond.

CentralCoaster

FWIW, a friend of mine has a Tremec 6-speed....

and he had a leak for 6 months, and ran it dry, (because he's a moron). The tranny locked up on him on the freeway, and dragged the rear wheels for 60 yards or so...

Got it towed back, filled it up with fluid, and some Lucas.... and it works good as new! I think the heat from that incident welded his fill plug shut though! We had to refill it through the shifter snout.

Keisler Automotive

Scorp508,

That is correct, neither the ZF 6-speed nor our Tremec T56 kit will not be a direct replacement for the 4+3 - some changes will be required such as shorter driveshaft, etc. The components will be included, as normal to our kits.

Shafi Keisler, Keisler Engineering Inc.
www.keislerauto.com/gm

Keisler Automotive

Mike,

The 5-speed offers basically similar gearing throughout the range, and we feel it is the most cost effective solution for C4 owners with the 4+3. The 5-speed does everything you need it to, plus more.

The 6-speed is longer, and therefore requires driveshaft change or modification. We will have the 6-speed kit out soon.

You are correct about the 1:1 comparison not being equal. This is a change we will make to the C4 page shortly. Our web designers are aware of the problem.

Keisler Automotive

CentralCoaster,

Thank you for your feedback. I agree, the page has some information based on our pre-1982 Corvette products. We carried it over without eliminating the references to economy. The main features and selling points of the transmission are the items I listed in my original post. I don't mention fuel economy, but I do mention durability and lower maintenance costs.

We will make the changes to the text, along with the speed calculator changes for DNE vs TREMEC TKO.

Thanks again

Keisler Automotive

Good question. Here's 3 reasons to choose our Keisler/Tremec kit over a Richmond 6:
1. stronger transmission - at 550 and 650ft-lbs, our transmission has more torque capacity
2. far better shift quality - external linkage died with the DNE 4+3. ALL modern transmissions use some form of internal rail shift linkage, including the ZF.
3. better product support - Tremec is the largest North American supplier of manual transmission. All C5 & C6 Corvettes that run a manual transmission are Tremecs. Parts availability, ease of rebuild and low cost of ownership are just several factors why you will have better product support from a Tremec transmission

We can share more reasons with you by phone, if you wish. Please call.

CentralCoaster

Great! I'm just trying to be constructive. Forum members, including me, are always very when new products come out. Lots of gold digger businesses prey on us.

External shift linkage, I agree, is garbage.... at least what GM built it. They didn't even add in any shifter stops.

Does this work with my stock hydraulic system? I see pics of one on your site, but that may just be for the automatic changeover.

Keisler Automotive

CentralCoaster,

Our kit is complete for a changeover from DNE 4+3. It uses your stock bell, flywheel, clutch, hydraulics. You don't even have to pull off your bellhousing if you have already confirmed it's runout is OK to the crank.
In fact, our kit even reuses the original driveshaft, but with a slip yoke change.

Getzen88

Thanks a lot for the response...i will definatly keep ya'll in mind when my 4+3 goes out...seems like you really have your act togeather...that's a good thing

Mike

PS i threw the ya'll in there to make you feel at home...

loflite

Have you done any conversions from auto to 6 speed yet? I've got a '95. What would you have to do with the computer to make this change? I'm assuming you would have to change the rear end also as GM has a beefier rear for their manual tranny. Thanks.