4+3 trans swaps
#102
Team Owner
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Location: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
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It's not cost effective to rebuild. Parts alone will cost more than a replacement used unit.
I have an extra 4+3 (4-speed section) if you're interested. This is not the one I screwed up.
TKO ~ $3000, new kit
ZF6 ~ $1600 (used trans)
T56 ~ $unknown
Last edited by CentralCoaster; 10-15-2007 at 12:44 PM.
#103
Team Owner
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You want to maintain the same 42/17 ratio, with whichever speedo sensor you end up with.
#104
Team Owner
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How do you correct the speedo on the Camaro? Different magnetic pickup? Different reluctor in the trans? Program the ECM?
You cannot reprogram it on the vette, at least not the 84-90s, because it sends the signal to the dashboard directly, then to the ECM.
Last edited by CentralCoaster; 10-15-2007 at 12:55 PM.
#105
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Location: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
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The VSSs are completely interchangeable and the plugs are the same pre-91. You only need to choose between a large gear or small gear VSS depending on your ring/pinion ratio. Even then, you can simply clock the VSS 180*.
As far as I know there is no polarity on the VSS signal, no need to reverse any wiring.
#106
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Location: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
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Remove the TV cable entirely.
#107
Safety Car
You don't have to reprogram it since we're working with the same pulses per mile. What we need to do is make sure we get the right VSS for the ECM (1227165 or 1227727) I cannot verify what your 85 or what a crossfire vette is, only the ecm's I have worked with.
A '92-96 is gonna be on 'his own' as well, if it's optical the VSS out of a 91+ fbody may work but I don't know if the pulses per mile are the same, as a '91 fbody, but than again I think this is geared more towards 86-88 cars, right? ZF6 was stock in '89/manual. With that said, we're gonna be dealing with a 1227165 ECM with magnetic VSS which is stock on any 86-90 FIREBIRD. 91-92 will be optical. Camaros were cable/mechanical.
I may have miss-spoke by saying the 84-85 was magnetic, since I have an '87 which came with a '165 ECM I can ONLY vouch for 86-89. But I'm going to 'assume' the 84-85 was magnetic as well. (though I'm running a '730 ecm, but thats another story)
-- Joe
Last edited by anesthes; 10-15-2007 at 01:18 PM.
#108
Safety Car
The T56 is still pretty expensive due to not many 4th gens being in the salvage yards, and the fact that you can only use an LT1 version due to changes in the input shaft + bolt pattern. Due to the fact it requires hydraulics, bell housing, flywheel + clutch from the donor car, and that the average price for that mess is around $1500.. Well you see where I'm going.
A company makes a bell housing for the T56 that allows you to use any push clutch up to 11" (hydraulic throwout bearing) but the bell housing is $600 w/ hydraulics (master + tob). If you can score a T56 for $600 it
might be worth it, but doing a quick search on my junkyard locater, the cheapest I see are:
1997
Transmission
Pontiac Firebird Transam 5.7,6SPD,SELL WITH 300 ONLY 68,000 A C0931 $1000 Elite Motors, Inc. USA-MI(Detroit) E-mail 888-354-8366 / 313-945-5400 614
1994
Transmission
Pontiac Firebird PRICE EXCHANGE TRANS ONLY MORRIS $950 American Camaro & Firebird Auto Parts USA-OK(Warr-Acres) E-mail 1-888-833-4582 1496
1994
Transmission
Chevy Camaro 157797 $800 Counselman Automotive Recycling of Mobile USA-AL(Mobile) E-mail 1-877-330-2720/1-251-330-2700 1247
1995
Transmission
Chevy Camaro Z28 6 spd (5.7L) 228,000 A063 $700 Born Again Auto Parts USA-FL(Webster) E-mail 352-793-2356
-- Joe
A company makes a bell housing for the T56 that allows you to use any push clutch up to 11" (hydraulic throwout bearing) but the bell housing is $600 w/ hydraulics (master + tob). If you can score a T56 for $600 it
might be worth it, but doing a quick search on my junkyard locater, the cheapest I see are:
1997
Transmission
Pontiac Firebird Transam 5.7,6SPD,SELL WITH 300 ONLY 68,000 A C0931 $1000 Elite Motors, Inc. USA-MI(Detroit) E-mail 888-354-8366 / 313-945-5400 614
1994
Transmission
Pontiac Firebird PRICE EXCHANGE TRANS ONLY MORRIS $950 American Camaro & Firebird Auto Parts USA-OK(Warr-Acres) E-mail 1-888-833-4582 1496
1994
Transmission
Chevy Camaro 157797 $800 Counselman Automotive Recycling of Mobile USA-AL(Mobile) E-mail 1-877-330-2720/1-251-330-2700 1247
1995
Transmission
Chevy Camaro Z28 6 spd (5.7L) 228,000 A063 $700 Born Again Auto Parts USA-FL(Webster) E-mail 352-793-2356
-- Joe
#109
Burning Brakes
All the yards around my area wanted 1000-1200 for a good LT1 T56 (trans only) which is why I didn't do a T56 swap. I have seen plenty of cheap T5s there though.
As for the ECM, I couldn't care less what kind of signal it wants. My car is carbed now and the only thing I need to make sure is that the speedo will read the right speed from the VSS. It's probably the same VSS as the 86-89 because I know others have bolted an 86-89 4+3 trans into an 84/85 and it worked fine without changing the VSS. If mine is a magnetic pickup, and it sounds like it is, then any Magnetic pickup from the T5 could presumably be geared to the correct ratio for my speedo and read correctly. I'll be especially interested in that part of the swap.
As for the ECM, I couldn't care less what kind of signal it wants. My car is carbed now and the only thing I need to make sure is that the speedo will read the right speed from the VSS. It's probably the same VSS as the 86-89 because I know others have bolted an 86-89 4+3 trans into an 84/85 and it worked fine without changing the VSS. If mine is a magnetic pickup, and it sounds like it is, then any Magnetic pickup from the T5 could presumably be geared to the correct ratio for my speedo and read correctly. I'll be especially interested in that part of the swap.
#110
Carl,
I see where you're comin from, but it isn't a few hundred bucks. The cost of this T5 swap is about $3000 cheaper than the TKO kit. In a car like my 84 that's worth maybe $6-$7k, spending $3700 on a trans isn't what I want to do. $700 for a new trans is much more to my budget right now...
I see where you're comin from, but it isn't a few hundred bucks. The cost of this T5 swap is about $3000 cheaper than the TKO kit. In a car like my 84 that's worth maybe $6-$7k, spending $3700 on a trans isn't what I want to do. $700 for a new trans is much more to my budget right now...
Carl Johansson
#111
Burning Brakes
Keisler's website listed the "Perfect Fit" kit with the VSS and adapters and everything at $3400 for the TKO 500 and $3700 for the TKO 600. Not sure how you got it for $2200 unless that price was trans only.
Regardless, we're still talking well under $1000 for a T5 conversion with the stronger of the T5's.
Regardless, we're still talking well under $1000 for a T5 conversion with the stronger of the T5's.
#112
Keisler's website listed the "Perfect Fit" kit with the VSS and adapters and everything at $3400 for the TKO 500 and $3700 for the TKO 600. Not sure how you got it for $2200 unless that price was trans only.
Regardless, we're still talking well under $1000 for a T5 conversion with the stronger of the T5's.
Regardless, we're still talking well under $1000 for a T5 conversion with the stronger of the T5's.
Carl "I'll shut up because I have nothing of substance to help you achieve your goal - I wish you the best of luck with it - i wish I had the time and energy to attempt what you are doing! Hopefully i will see you on the track someday soon!" Johansson
#113
Safety Car
[QUOTE=Carl Johansson;1562315038]
CC is still screwing around trying to get his ZF to his liking - what is it - a year or 18 months later now.
{/quote]
Yep, is ZF - the stock transmission in 89+ vettes. I'm not sure what CC's exact problems are other than 6th gear being useless for his rear end ratio. I know on my friends '91 I didn't like the way it shifted. Could have been a bad trans though. I think they shift "goofy". But thats a personal opinion.
-- Joe
#114
Team Owner
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Location: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
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Carl, I'm absolutely not still screwing with the ZF swap now. Your posts are condescending and unnecessary.
Joe, Carl's whole basis here is that I spent awhile gathering parts and information on the swap. It was about 6 months beginning to end with the headaches.
This was partly because people who don't know sh** were telling me what parts I needed...
...and because I got scammed on one of the parts and waited on him rather than buying it twice (I later put the guy in jail for a few days)...
...and because my 3.45 ring/pinion were literally stolen by the gear shop and he gave me the run around. The labor time for me removing/reinstalling the diff (~4 hours) with new gears is something you won't need to do with the TKO swap...
...and because I'm lazy and was in no rush to see how fast I could order and install parts. The vette isn't my only car.
It's always more risky that you'll run into problems when relying on the forum for information, or buying parts off ebay or salvage yards.
So I do my best to save people from the same problems I had, by providing accurate parts information, telling off misinformation regurgitators, and keeping scammers off this site.
The peace of mind you get with the Keisler kit costs money. Nothing's free.
Joe, Carl's whole basis here is that I spent awhile gathering parts and information on the swap. It was about 6 months beginning to end with the headaches.
This was partly because people who don't know sh** were telling me what parts I needed...
...and because I got scammed on one of the parts and waited on him rather than buying it twice (I later put the guy in jail for a few days)...
...and because my 3.45 ring/pinion were literally stolen by the gear shop and he gave me the run around. The labor time for me removing/reinstalling the diff (~4 hours) with new gears is something you won't need to do with the TKO swap...
...and because I'm lazy and was in no rush to see how fast I could order and install parts. The vette isn't my only car.
It's always more risky that you'll run into problems when relying on the forum for information, or buying parts off ebay or salvage yards.
So I do my best to save people from the same problems I had, by providing accurate parts information, telling off misinformation regurgitators, and keeping scammers off this site.
The peace of mind you get with the Keisler kit costs money. Nothing's free.
Last edited by CentralCoaster; 10-15-2007 at 08:46 PM.
#115
Team Owner
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Location: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
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Yup Carl, life's more challenging when you save money by using more ingenuity and elbow grease. Keep in mind that extra money you spent required work on your part to earn it, and didn't provide you with much knowledge to help others with aside from "Life's too short, send money to Keisler". I guess that's a time saver for you thoguh as no one will ask you for help on ZF6 swaps like they ask me.
#116
Melting Slicks
Wow this thread is a true wealth of information. I've always contemplated a manual tranny swap into my '85 but other things on the list always took priority. With the info in this thread I may start looking for the parts to do a T5 swap. The T5 is sounding like a great choice for my '85. It's just a street car, no racing or competition use. I like to work on the car, don't mind the minor fabbing that the swap will require, and if I take a little time to find deals on the parts they can be bought dirt cheap.
Thanks anesthes, Central, and everyone who contributed to this thread.
BTW - anyone know the weight savings between a 700R4 and a WC T5?
Thanks anesthes, Central, and everyone who contributed to this thread.
BTW - anyone know the weight savings between a 700R4 and a WC T5?
#117
Safety Car
Wow this thread is a true wealth of information. I've always contemplated a manual tranny swap into my '85 but other things on the list always took priority. With the info in this thread I may start looking for the parts to do a T5 swap. The T5 is sounding like a great choice for my '85. It's just a street car, no racing or competition use. I like to work on the car, don't mind the minor fabbing that the swap will require, and if I take a little time to find deals on the parts they can be bought dirt cheap.
Thanks anesthes, Central, and everyone who contributed to this thread.
BTW - anyone know the weight savings between a 700R4 and a WC T5?
Thanks anesthes, Central, and everyone who contributed to this thread.
BTW - anyone know the weight savings between a 700R4 and a WC T5?
I can put a T5 in with one hand, holding it over my head. I need a tranny jack for the 700R4. I can move a 700R4 with two people around the shop, where a T5 I can hold under my arms and lock the door with my other hand.
-- Joe
#118
Misc
Joe, what is best guess for weight of the T-5 with out the bell housing?
Did you get a hold of Pro Street Customs yesterday? It sounds like he will be finishing the c beam adapter this week. With your testing and "OK" the adapter will be released soon.
What are the chance that you could take images for your install? C-beam, transmission tunnel mods, shifter mods too.
Did you get a hold of Pro Street Customs yesterday? It sounds like he will be finishing the c beam adapter this week. With your testing and "OK" the adapter will be released soon.
What are the chance that you could take images for your install? C-beam, transmission tunnel mods, shifter mods too.
#119
Safety Car
Joe, what is best guess for weight of the T-5 with out the bell housing?
Did you get a hold of Pro Street Customs yesterday? It sounds like he will be finishing the c beam adapter this week. With your testing and "OK" the adapter will be released soon.
What are the chance that you could take images for your install? C-beam, transmission tunnel mods, shifter mods too.
Did you get a hold of Pro Street Customs yesterday? It sounds like he will be finishing the c beam adapter this week. With your testing and "OK" the adapter will be released soon.
What are the chance that you could take images for your install? C-beam, transmission tunnel mods, shifter mods too.
-- Joe
#120
Safety Car
FYI, I spoke with Scott at fort worth clutch. I was trying to understand how a vette could run a 10 3/4 clutch, and a fbody 10 1/2 when the flywheel is the same part #. Apparently the vette pressure plate (10 3/4) is notched for the bolts, but ends up being a weaker pressure plate. He recommended staying with the HD 10.5" pressure plate.
Anyhow, a dual friction 10.5" HD pressure plate, clutch disc, alignment tool, and TOB = $160 shipped. I've used their clutches before with VERY good results. Basicly a centerforce DF w/out weights.
-- Joe
Anyhow, a dual friction 10.5" HD pressure plate, clutch disc, alignment tool, and TOB = $160 shipped. I've used their clutches before with VERY good results. Basicly a centerforce DF w/out weights.
-- Joe