C2 - Keisler/Tremec 5-speed overdrive transmission

[Mark Francis]

Does anybody have personal experience and advice to offer (good, bad, or indifferent) regarding the quality, reliabilty, ease of installation (I do not want any irreversible modifications)and performance of the Keisler Engineering/Tremec 5-speed overdrive transmission?

Are there other manufacturers of units like these (requiring no irreversible modifications)?

Mine's a '67 - 3.55 differential - currently with a non-original close ratio muncie

Thanks much

[Ken Edmunds]

Re: C2 - Keisler/Tremec 5-speed overdrive transmis

I installed one of these in a customers car last year. He is thrilled with the trans and drives it daily with no issues. One problem we had was the trans hit the bottom of the floor when installed. We replaced the worn out body mount cushions and added 2 shims to each mounting point to resolve the issue-worked out great.

[Mark Francis]

Re: C2 - Keisler/Tremec 5-speed overdrive transmis

Ken, thanks very much!
hmmmm.....not sure I want to get into that (replacing or shimming body mounts)....was it a convertible or a coupe (convertibles have the extra mounts close to and below the hinges, right?)

Also, did you discuss this situation with Keisler? Did they have anything to say about it?

Thanks, Mark

[Joe C.]

Re: C2 - Keisler/Tremec 5-speed overdrive transmis

Mark:

I have heard nothing but good reports about these units. They can be reconfigured to adapt to many vehicles with minimal modifications. I examined the unit at Carlisle last week and was very impressed with the fit/finish. The C2 shifter body is billett aluminum, very precisely machined, and slides/locks into a slot in the trans case. This effectively makes it an integral part of the trans, with zero "slop". You can configure it for either electronic or manual speedometer input. You can use a "neutral safety" tap, to provide safety where there was none on your midyear Corvette. You can order it with, I believe, two gearset combinations. If you are replacing an existing Muncie trans, then the kit will include a shortened driveshaft, and you will also need a fine splined clutch disc. I was told that 63-67 conversions require no cutting. C3 conversions require minimal cutting of the trans tunnel. Overdrive ratio is about .6:1.
I was thinking about EVENTUALLY changing my trans to a wide ratio, and replacing my 3.70:1 gears with 3.23 for tolerable cruising. The Tremec setup accomplished that, and much more, without changing rearend gearing. It is not cheap, though, at $3700.00.

Joe

[Mark Francis]

Re: C2 - Keisler/Tremec 5-speed overdrive transmis

Thanks, Joe

Are you saying the input shaft splining of the Keisler (through the clutch) is not the same as the Muncie I'm pulling out?

I only have ~3000 miles on the clutch/pressure plate/throwout bearing in there and didn't really want to yank that....
thanks mark

[Joe C.]

Re: C2 - Keisler/Tremec 5-speed overdrive transmis

Yes, it is different. It uses a fine splined input shaft. Your Muncie trans has the coarse spline. I am not sure what year the change from coarse to fine occured, but certain that the midyears all have coarse splines. Keep your TO bearing and pressure plate. Only need to change the disc.

Joe

[Jack W.]

Re: C2 - Keisler/Tremec 5-speed overdrive transmis

Can't say that ("Have heard nothing but good reports about these units") myself, having seen more than a few posts in the C2 section of Corvetteforum.com about interference issues. Strongly urge you to search for such info over there to better inform your decision . . . . it may still be a good move.

[Ken Edmunds]

Re: C2 - Keisler/Tremec 5-speed overdrive transmis

It was a coupe. Not a big deal to change cushions and add shims-add the same number of shims to each mount. Unless you have done a body off recently, your cushions are probably compressed quite a bit and could use changing. The job takes about 4-5 hours. Call me if you have questions. 954-924-1968
Ken

[Mark Francis]

Re: C2 - Keisler/Tremec 5-speed overdrive transmis

thanks, I will.

appreciate the advice

[Mark Francis]

Re: C2 - Keisler/Tremec 5-speed overdrive transmis

thanks Ken for the offer of phone assistnace....it's this kind of experience and advice I was looking for.

mrf

[Jim T.]

Re: C2 - Keisler/Tremec 5-speed overdrive transmis

Another place to check. Just read the other day of an unhappy customer and he made a post on the Corvette Action Center.

[Mark Francis]

Re: C2 - Keisler/Tremec 5-speed overdrive transmis

thanks, Jim.
Yes, I've read more than a few posts about installation woes....