Has anyone here tossed in a Keisler transmission into their Mopar?

[watermelon]

Has anyone here tossed in a Keisler transmission into their Mopar?

If so, what did you do: auto-to-manual, auto-to-auto, or manual-to-manual?

I've been looking at their propaganda and I think I'm gonna buy.

I have a 727 auto in my Coronet and was thinking of tossing in a 5-speed manual. I don't even know how to drive stick but I looks like a fun upgrade.

I'll have to do more research on the Bellhousing to Crankshaft Runout adjustment.

My engine in a 440 with a 4bbl carb.

Is there anything that has to be done to the crankshaft?

Also, I am guessing the throttle kickdown linkage goes as well.

 

[1962savoy]

62 Savoy

yes I'm in the midst of repalcing my 4 speed with there tko 600 5 speed in my 62 plymouth. I found they dont tell you every thing...like you will need there shifter as the tko is a top loader and sits up under the dash on a 62 B body and you will have to do tunnel ajustments with a BFH and cut ears off the tranny which arnt used. I checked my housing run out and it was anywere from .001-.003 which is within there tolerances. I found the tranny mount is off centre by half inch and when i called support they told me my engine is in on a skew????? Well I have a new 440 to go in it so we'll see whats up. I think its the trans crossmember as its welded off set.if you have a automatic im not sure if the pilot hole is different but may be.kick down link will be gone if your going to the 5 speed. It is a big job and will take time to finess it in there. but I cant wait to give it a go!!!!
i'll put pics up if you want to see??

 

[Deleted member 214]

I did a manual-to-manual swap. It was easy - I started Friday night, had it going thru the gears on Saturday night. Going auto-to-manual would be more difficult as you would have to swap out pedals, the back of the crank would have to be fitted with a pilot bearing and if not already drilled for one would have to be drilled, you would have to get the Z-bar in for the clutch linkage, etc. They make a 4-spd auto setup with optional paddle shifters, so that would be an option too.

 

[Revhendo]

I've done a couple of the auto swaps into B bodies. Piece of cake and way bitchen.
I've done one 5 speed in a B body. Nothing too tramatic. It was already a stick car, but we switched to the hydralic clutch. It worked slick also.

 

[Ralph Cali]

Keisler in a 73 RR

I install a Keisler 5 spd in a 73 RR. The steps were straight forward and not a bad installation time - first time for me.

I thought that you may like to see some pictures as the work progressed.

My advise would be to buy the whole kit from keisler its much easier that way. The crankshaft gets a roller bushing that fits in nicely. They have tech support that guided me through the steps when i needed it.

Hope this helps. Email me at [email protected] if you want more photos of the process could not load all of them up here.

Ralph

 

[Ralph Cali]

Keisler 5 spd

Here's a few more photos

Ralph

 

[watermelon]

thanks for the replies all.

i had a contact at Keisler send me the pdf instructions for the install of a tremec 5 speed manual into a b-body.

the instructions call for the "rear of the engine" to be lowered. how is that accomplished and what did you do?

also, when checking the Bellhousing to Crankshaft Runout, the instructions says that the crankshaft has to be turned manually. how is that done? did you have to install the offset dowel pins?


great pics!!!


thanks,

watermelon

 

[Ralph Cali]

On my 73 RR I did not lower the engine other than the trany mount spacers they provide in the kit - it isnt much.

Pull the plugs and get a flywheel tool that rotates the engine ( few bucks)

Get the keisler instructions on the bell housing alignment or the internet. I did not use the offset dowel pins mine was ok. Keisler said that a check was a smooth 3 to 4 shift

Ralph

 

[1962savoy]

the back of the engine is lower once you take out the tranny crossmember and the oil pan will sit on the steering rod.Turn the crank from the front with a socket and long bar easy!!!

 

[watermelon]

thanks again.

i saw somewhere in the keisler documentation that the swap could be done on 6-ton jack stands. that is route i'm gonna have to take since i don't have a lift.

did you use jack stands when you did your swap?

also, Ralph Cali mentions to pull the spark plugs when hand-turning the crank. why is that necessary? just curious.


thanks,

watermelon

 

[Revhendo]

thanks again.

i saw somewhere in the keisler documentation that the swap could be done on 6-ton jack stands. that is route i'm gonna have to take since i don't have a lift.

did you use jack stands when you did your swap?

also, Ralph Cali mentions to pull the spark plugs when hand-turning the crank. why is that necessary? just curious.


thanks,

watermelon

Simple, you pull the plugs so you're not fighting the engines compression when turning it by hand.

 

[Ralph Cali]

Watermelon, I didnt have a lift so I basically used ramps in the front - more stable to me than jacks stands amd stands on the rear end. Gave me alot of clearance and it was OK - bought carpet remnant from home depot to make the concrete garage floor softer and used a heater over the winter.
Taking out the spark plugs make it easier to turn over the engine.
I changed the hump since i had a bench seat hump and need the console hump so I borrowed a mig welder and it was first time - but i did it. You know as i understand it all cars started on the assembly line as automatics and then they cut out the hump for the 4spd tunnel - comes out easy and you can buy the console hump just about anywhere.
Good luck call or PM me if you need more infor - 908-839-6594
Ralph

 

[Deleted member 214]

Ditton on removing the plugs - engines turn over a lot easier when you are not fighting compression.

I did my swap using jack stands and a creeper. A floor jack can sub for a transmission jack in a pinch.

 

[Dennis H]

I did not do the install on mine. Minor issues only. Pilot bearing on back-order and a minor leak where the speedo cable goes in. Keisler took care of any issues at no cost. 2150 @ 70 MPH. One of the best upgrades ever for me. Over 25 thousand trouble free miles. 4 speed to 5 speed. 440/3:54 Dana.

Sweet combo. Like having the A833 with an extra gear at the top. Tire frying first gear.

 

[KEISLER]

Great Pics

Hey Guys,

Thanks for answering watermelon's q's. If you fellas can post your pics, and testimonials, we'll get them up on our site also, and send you a tshirt, stickers and Keisler squeeze shift ball!

Regarding "lowering the rear of the engine," this refers to lowering the engine down so that the transmission can be easily installed to the engine/bellhousing. If you were not to lower the engine, it is near impossible to install the transmission because you cannot align the input to the crankshaft pilot bearing.

Driveline angle should be unaffected. We have isolator mount shims in the kit to raise it up if you need to.

Regarding the speedo cable, any of you having the speedo cable that leaks at all are entitled to receive a free upgrade to our new design USA OEM made cable. Don't let an oil drip ruin your fun.

Shafi Keisler, Pres/CEO

 

[plymouth67]

pilot bearing

I did a manual-to-manual swap. It was easy - I started Friday night, had it going thru the gears on Saturday night. Going auto-to-manual would be more difficult as you would have to swap out pedals, the back of the crank would have to be fitted with a pilot bearing and if not already drilled for one would have to be drilled, you would have to get the Z-bar in for the clutch linkage, etc. They make a 4-spd auto setup with optional paddle shifters, so that would be an option too.

I have a kiesler tko kit in my car and it fits nice and works well. You do not have to drill the crank for a pilot bearing as they sell a special one that fits in an automatic crank that has a cool needle bearing design and will set you back about $50.00.

 

[1970Moparmann]

Regarding the speedo cable, any of you having the speedo cable that leaks at all are entitled to receive a free upgrade to our new design USA OEM made cable. Don't let an oil drip ruin your fun.

Shafi Keisler, Pres/CEO

I need one of these. PM sent.

 

[watermelon]

Thanks for the replies all.

I'm still doin my research. I see Keisler is selling a T56 RS or something like that. I'm not sure if it is out yet or how it compares to a TKO. I think the RS may not require much cutting of the floor panel compare to a TKO. But, it doesn't make much difference since the TKO kit comes with replacement sheet metal. I would like to see an install document for the RS.

As I said earlier, I don't know how to drive manual so I don't know if there is a difference in how a TKO feels compared to the RS. Does the TKO shift pretty sweet?

I will be buying an entire kit from Keisler in the future. I'm waiting for the New Year.


watermelon

 

[Revhendo]

TKOs shift real sweet. Short throws, positive gear selection.

(Hey Shafi, do I still get the free toaster after ten refferals?)

 

[1962savoy]

well I finally got it in and i'm happy with the fit.It was a bit tight but managed to get it done. now i'll have to get used to the short shifts!!!